firewire cables and blown firewire ports

M

matthewd5

Veteran
ok.

here is the deal, i blew out my firewire port on my dvx-100a back when it was only a few months old and it was replaced under warranty.

i rarely used the camera for capture so it scared me that out of the 2 or 3 times i used it i managed to fry the port.

the tech told me that all the other cameras he works on have a circuit to shield the port from getting fried but that panasonic doesn't do this so the port isn't truly hot swappable as sooner or later you will fry it.

i own dv rack, i really like dv rack but i hardly use it because i'm worried about zapping the port again...

can someone please point me in the direction of a firewire cable or an inline adaptor that will shield against this happening again?

ultimately i'd like to find a long firewire cable (15 feet or longer) with right angle 4 pin connectors on both ends.

if i could find this i could gaff tape the cable to the camera and the laptop so i wouldn't have to worry about the cable coming undone at the wrong time.

i'm starting a new short at the end of july and we are in one location (all indoors) and i'd love to use dv rack for all the shots as i'll have a cart to roll around and keep near by all my shots.

i've seen a lot of 4 pin right angle cables but they are all very short.

matthew
 
matthewd5 said:
ultimately i'd like to find a long firewire cable (15 feet or longer) with right angle 4 pin connectors on both ends.
Click to expand...
Hey Matt!

I don't know if these are made with right-angled connections or not, but try a Froogle search for Focus Enhancements DistanceDV cables. Many of the computer boutique stores carry them, interestingly enough. Hope this helps get the ball rolling.

best-
Brian
 
bingo!

http://store.yahoo.com/yhst-3455591325931/fw4ra-4ra-30.html

found a 30 foot firewire cable, 4 pin - right angle at BOTH ends!

this will make using dv-rack a lot more doable. way less chance of the cable falling out of the camera or the laptop.

its a lot easier to gaf tape the cable with the right angle than with the straight in cable.

and 30 feet is a great length. even leaves room to use it on the dolly or crane!

matthew
 
matthewd5 said:
found a 30 foot firewire cable, 4 pin - right angle at BOTH ends!

this will make using dv-rack a lot more doable. way less chance of the cable falling out of the camera or the laptop.

its a lot easier to gaf tape the cable with the right angle than with the straight in cable.

and 30 feet is a great length. even leaves room to use it on the dolly or crane!
Click to expand...

And then make one of these
cablemount.jpg
for a little added protection.

Dan
 
yes i have seen your mount and i am definitely going to try and make something like that.

i just thought starting with right angle cables would make it easier.

matthew
 
matthewd5 said:
i just thought starting with right angle cables would make it easier.
Click to expand...

Fer sure. :)

Oh. I spent some time today looking for ready-made firewire optoisolators. Could find nary a one. I can't even find any discrete optoisolators that can handle more than 10 or 20 mb/s....which leaves firewire right out.

There's gotta be a way, though. I've found some 6 & 9 pin firewire isolators, but no 4-pin. :cry:

Dan
 
Firewire Nightmare

Firewire Nightmare

Yes, I also had a hard time finding one. My laptop takes 4 pin, so I needed a 4 pin to 4 pin, and it cost me over 30 bucks, when I finally found (1) left at Best Buy.. I did not know about unplugging it while on, so thanks to everyone saving me from possible disaster.

That clamp is alo something I am going to try, great idea! "Information is the most valuable commodity" Gordon Gekko
 
Oh. It's just a piece of aluminum angle with holes drilled in it. 2 holes to mount it on the microphone mount point, and some others to run wire-ties through to secure the firewire & microphone cables.

All it does is move the stress point from the connectors, so if someone jiggles/yanks/trips over the cables, they won't pull the cables out or damage the jacks.

Of course, you have to be careful that doesn't yank the DVX out of your hands, or pull the tripod down. :(

Or do you mean the black things right net to the port? That's just the rubber cover.

Dan
 
For those who want an easy hack to what GenJerDan's doing, you can always just attach the DVX's included external mic holder and loop your cables through that. Not as secure as a hard mount, but infinitely more secure than just letting the cables hang loose...
 
I always secure the fire wire cable and XLR through my hand grip. Just open up the velco grip, put your cords in there and then close the velcro around them. It works like a charm.
 
I ran across this today while looking through the manual for something else.
Not a very clear warning from Panasonic.........but a warning non the less.
45612333.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top