One of my producers passed this info along. Please read and heed!!!!
John Goran
This may be helpful. Pass it on to all DVcam users.
Few
people seem to know that you must POWER DOWN a camcorder before
inserting the firewire iLINK cable. "Experts" say there is no problem:
"plug and play."
Doing this has caused our new Sony HD camera to be sent back to the shop today.
"Plug
and Play," so far as firewire DVcams are concerned, is a MYTH. My
camera is a Sony, but this problem likely happens with any DVcam.
The
problem is not mentioned in the manual. No bulletins were sent to
dealers or users. But Sony knows about it, as is shown in this memo.
Have you ever heard of it?
The Sony repair folks were very helpful in expediting the repair on warranty. They say they've had a number of similar cases.
Don't be the next one.
To
protect your camera (and computer) POWER DOWN BEFORE HOOKING UP. This
runs counter to prevailing opinion about 4-pin firewire cables, which
"don't carry power." That may be true, but the problem is static
electricity, which can be enough to BURN OUT THE FIREWIRE PORT.
The danger increases when hard drives or other firewire devices are also attached to the computer.
Take heed!
Valuable information painfully gained by,
Dave Wilkinson
Here is the memo:
Sony
Electronics,
Inc.
Regional Service Center
123
West Tryon Avenue
Phone: (201) 833-5300
Teaneck,
NJ
07666
FAX: (201) 533-5312
Important Sony i.LINK Installation Information
Care
must be taken when connecting the Sony i.LINK ( IEEE 1394 / FIREWIRE)
into your PC / MAC Computer or other Device. The Sony
i.LINK connector design is dictated by the IEEE 1394 industry
standard and the socket and cable are constructed with a keyed guide to
assist with proper installation. It is necessary to visually confirm
that the plugs and sockets are lined up correctly for proper
installation and to prevent damage to the internal circuitry of the
units.
Even
though the plug and socket will only fit completely together properly
in one direction, there is still power present if either device
is powered on.
If
there is an attempt to insert the plug INCORRECTLY (wrong polarity) the
PC / MAC Computer or other Device can supply power to the signal pin of
the i.LINK. This directly connects to the i.LINK IC and can damage the
circuit.
In order to prevent accidental damage, the following steps must be followed when connecting DVCAM equipment to a PC / MAC Computer or other Devices via the i.LINK Port:
1. Power down the Computer / Device and DVCAM
2. Connect the i.LINK cable to the Computer / Device by visually confirming proper fit and polarity.
3. Connect the i.LINK cable to the DVCAM by visually confirming proper fit and polarity.
4. Turn on the power to the Computer / Device and then the DVCAM.
Please
review these instructions carefully. Damage to the DVCAM i.LINK
components caused by improper installation is not covered by Sony’s
warranty.