The Plot Thickens
My Internet search for problems with Sony’s i.link connection quickly yielded results. Here is what one dissatisfied customer had to say:
BETTER LISTEN UP. I believe that Sony has a defect with the i-link firewire output port. One day I connected my camcorder to my PC and there it was, no device present (like the camcorder was DEAD and not even plugged in). Now I’ve always connected before and Windows always made that funny little new device sound, you know the one I mean? If you are having the same problem, this is no coincidence. Better listen up if your camcorders i-link still works. Before you connect your i-link, make sure the PC and Camcorder are OFF! Turn on the PC and then turn on the camcorder after windows has completed booted. NEVER HOT SWAP THE FIREWIRE CABLE. Doing so may cause you to blow out the i-link port in the camcorder like mine (although I cannot be 100% certain that hot swapping is the cause, it’s the only logical suspect I can conclude to. I mean really, how do you wear out an i-Link port, but that’s what Sony told me “maybe they’re all worn out.” Hello, I thing they’re calling us stupid.). I’ve read a lot of articles about this kind of connection complaint and have concluded the above to the best of my understanding. I’ve even done a full Firewire PCI Card change out in the PC with a new cable to which produced no change. I’m pretty savvy with electronics and hardware so I doubt that you or me are doing anything wrong, especially since the camcorders all worked perfectly last time we connected them. Ironically, I’ve burned up THREE very expensive Sony Digital8 i-Link ports doing hot swapping. Everything else on all camcorders work fine. The composite and S outputs still work just as they always have. Only the i-link blows. I called Sony, got no help except their offers to repair the units at $350.00 each. OUCH! They, I believe, are holding out on a problem they know full well about and are willing that we suffer. However, I would guess that only 1 in 10 people actually ever use the i-link, and likely not too often at that. Sony may not be too concerned about blowing off the few that use the i-link on a fairly regular basis; we’re the small guys, easy to kick in the head. On a second note, I’ve discovered that it may be safer to use a 4-4 firewire cable. I know many PCs have only that fat 6 pin port, but be careful using the 6-4 cable. I understand the six connector port has 12v DC so the problem may be more prone in this circumstance (doesn’t seem logical, but I don’t have a 100% cause)
Whether I’ve blown the i.link port on the camcorder, I don’t know but I doubt it. It simply never worked in the first place. If the connection from the camcorder to the computer doesn’t work, then the device is basically useless to me. The tapes are of course viewable if the camcorder is plugged into the television set but there’s no possibility of video editing on a laptop. I think I’ve been duped again. Just as well I didn’t buy the really expensive model. I really need to try another cable first I guess. I notice the going price for the 4-pin IEEE1394 cable is US$7.95 which is Rp74,000, decidedly more expensive than the Rp25,000 cable that I bought. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that there is a happy resolution to all of this but I’ve already got a bad feeling.
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