MAC + DVX= motherboard faliure

gkumar

gkumar

Carbonite Member
Okay, i've just converted from pc to MAC, and FCP also. I read a long time ago that if you plug in a DVX that is ON into a mac, that the DVX's motherboard will fry after a few times this is done. You can only turn on the DVX after it is plugged into the mac.

Is this true? has it happened to anyone? If it's true why does this happen?
 
Jan recommends that you plug the DVX into a computer (either Mac or PC) when both machines are off to prevent frying the firewire port on the DVX.
 
HorseFilms said:
Jan recommends that you plug the DVX into a computer (either Mac or PC) when both machines are off to prevent frying the firewire port on the DVX.
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whoa... good to know.

does it apply to smaller camcorders like Canon zr60's?
 
I'd follow Jan's advice with any camera, just to be safe. I haven't heard of the problem as much in other cameras, but who wants to take the chance, right?
 
HorseFilms said:
Jan recommends that you plug the DVX into a computer (either Mac or PC) when both machines are off to prevent frying the firewire port on the DVX.
Click to expand...

Or better yet don't plug you're DVX into a computer at all, invest in a deck.

EDIT: I've also heard plugging you're battery into the DVX while the switch is on you can fry something.
 
NO CA$H said:
Or better yet don't plug you're DVX into a computer at all, invest in a deck.
Click to expand...

Exactly! Mine has never been hooked into a computer and I intend to keep it that way.
 
I use my powerbook for on location color correction, white balancing and all that sh*t.
Looks like there is always a bad to a good thing

who here has had this actually happen to them, this fryed firewire port?
 
gkumar said:
I use my powerbook for on location color correction, white balancing and all that sh*t.
Looks like there is always a bad to a good thing

who here has had this actually happen to them, this fryed firewire port?
Click to expand...
Not me personally, but a friend of mine who has DVX has fried his. Not sure of exact circumstances, though...

I concur with the deck comment. I got one from EVS, and I am sooo happy I did it. It's just so convenient to take a tape, pop it in, no cables, no unpacking of camera, finding a safe place for it... DECK is the way to go.

J.
 
But the decks are so expensive...I want one, but the cheapest I've seen is about a grand for a used one...I've just been using an el cheapo camcorder for importing.

Good to know about the firewire issue though...I'm kinda surprised, thought the whole reason firewire was better than SCSI (besides the speed) was that it was hot-swappable.
 
rlm7189 said:
Listen to Horsefilms. This is a VERY common problem with the DVX.
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Not just the DVX -- there are reports on CreativeCow of it happening with the Sony Z1 also. Again, mostly with Macs.
 
I actually got into an argument with the board over at dvinfo, claiming that I'd been the most reckless dvx/maccer with the firewire port and no problems.

Then jan replied to me and shut me right up. So now I just make sure at least the dvx is off when I plug it in to the mac. Switch it on after FCP has done its little check for the camera.
 
On a sort of related note, we have had MAJOR problems connecting the Canon ZR series to the Lacie Porshe drives. Actually daisy chain or separte FW ports crashes the drive big time. Lacie in TO acknowledged there was a problem with the Porshe series.

Cheers,
Chris
 
I too am a victim of this problem. I have another camera as a deck, but was out of town and wanted to post something for a client. So my DVX is sans firewire now. Learned the hardway.
 
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