Working with a JVC camera and Windows XP

[Cavendish2005]

Hi!. I'm afraid that this may be an "old question" but I have found no
answer to my problem yet. I have a JVC GR DVL-300U camera, Windows XP
SP 2 and a VIA IEEE 1394 card. Windows detects the 1394 card but when I
connect my camera nothing happens. I have tried many things like
running DVconnect330.exe, but still nothing happens. Someone told that
may be if I install the Texas instrument drivers for the 1394 card, it
may help. Any ideas apart from buying a new camera?. Many thanks.

 

[decoder]

Hi!. I'm afraid that this may be an "old question" but I have found no
answer to my problem yet. I have a JVC GR DVL-300U camera, Windows XP
SP 2 and a VIA IEEE 1394 card. Windows detects the 1394 card but when I
connect my camera nothing happens. I have tried many things like
running DVconnect330.exe, but still nothing happens. Someone told that
may be if I install the Texas instrument drivers for the 1394 card, it
may help. Any ideas apart from buying a new camera?. Many thanks.

Have you posted this problem previously under another nym?

There should be two listings in Device Manager for your firewire card:
"IEEE1394 bus host controllers"/ "VIA OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host
Controller"
There should also be an entry for each firewire card installed, these
will be listed under: "Network adapters".
If these are listed without any exclaimation/questionmark, then your
firewire card is functioning.

Your DV cam may require that the option "DV-OUT" is activated
via the cam's menu's.

 

[Guest]

Just wondering if you found an answer yet or not.
Some simple trouble shooting techniques is to try another cable from camera
to computer.
Just a thought.

 

[Cavendish2005]

Thanks for your answer. Indeed, I tried to find a "DV OUT" function in
my camera's menu, but there is no such a thing. The cable thing is
something to try. Reading old messages in this group I found that the
problem seemed to be somewhat frequent when the XP was released. Many
users with old DV cameras like mine found that their cameras worked
with Windows 98 SE but had trouble with XP. I have found all kind of
tricks: running DVconnect330.exe, installing the old SP 1 drivers, even
renaming the "msdv.inf" and "msdv.sys" files!. Also many of the
conclusions in these messages were that there was no solution...

If you know anything different, please let me know!. Thanks.

 

[decoder]

Thanks for your answer. Indeed, I tried to find a "DV OUT" function in
my camera's menu, but there is no such a thing. The cable thing is
something to try. Reading old messages in this group I found that the
problem seemed to be somewhat frequent when the XP was released. Many
users with old DV cameras like mine found that their cameras worked
with Windows 98 SE but had trouble with XP. I have found all kind of
tricks: running DVconnect330.exe, installing the old SP 1 drivers, even
renaming the "msdv.inf" and "msdv.sys" files!. Also many of the
conclusions in these messages were that there was no solution...

If you know anything different, please let me know!. Thanks.

OK, first, the actual model number is GR-DVL300U.
This is a link from which you can download it's operating manual in PDF:
http://books.jvcservice.com/booklist.asp?Model=GR-DVL300U

Page34 details how to connect and it is quite convoluted in comparison
with Sony, Samsung and Canon models. Intriquingly for a DV cam with
firewire it dosen't appear to be hot-pluggable? (Both PC and DV cam
*must be powered Down* when connection is being made?)
Also the connection instructions are specific that only one connection
at a time - the other connection for still image transfer being RS-232c?
(Not USB? Probably because USB at the time was not available on Mac's?)
When you read the instructions, note No3, the convoluted routine required
for the PC when powered up to recognise the DV cam firewire connection.

 

[Cavendish2005]

Tks for your message. I had the manual (it came with the camera) and
the instructions always troubled me. I followed all the steps and
instructions literally but nothing happened. What it trouble me most is
that on page 34 of the manual it says "This camcorder can transfer
still images to a PC...". What does it mean "still" images?. Maybe this
camera does not transfer video to a PC but just still images like
pictures...
I have emailed the JVC support team. I will let you know any news.

 

[decoder]

Tks for your message. I had the manual (it came with the camera) and
the instructions always troubled me. I followed all the steps and
instructions literally but nothing happened. What it trouble me most is
that on page 34 of the manual it says "This camcorder can transfer
still images to a PC...". What does it mean "still" images?. Maybe this
camera does not transfer video to a PC but just still images like
pictures...
I have emailed the JVC support team. I will let you know any news.

You haven't read the manual at all have you?
Unless you have an incorrect one or for another model?
DV cam's also have a memory chip for taking still images -
just like a digital still camera! And you did claim in this
thread that you were once able to capture DV via Win98?
So it can transfer DV footage....
From page 34 through to 38 it details all you need to know
concerning digital dubbing.
Do this:
Your PC will have a six pin input of it's firewire capture
Your DV cam has a four pin, But...
So ensure you are using the correct firewire interconnect
with either 6 -to- 4 pin, or 4 -to- 4 pin with adapter.
On page 38 it seems to indicate that your bizarre JVC
DV cam actually has seperate "DV-IN" and "DV-OUT" ports?
But on page60 it details that it has one port and it is DV-IN/OUT?
(Look at the diagrams - page38 and page60) So ensure you are
connecting to what is the "DV-OUT" port? (Or as this manual is
for several models, connect to the DV-IN/OUT port on your cam)
With that odd JVC model, You can only make the connections
when unit is powered OFF. - Not hot pluggable?
On the cam, hold the Lock button and switch to "PLAY"
still holding the Lock button, Power ON the DV cam -
It is now in "DV-OUT" mode.
Boot your XP PC - it should now detect the connected and very
oddball JVC DV camcorder?
The troubleshooter is specific that the DV cam will not
function if connection is made when powered ON

 

[Burgy]

Do you have any other firewire devices that do work with your connection and
cord??


If not, can you borrow one that is known to work from a friend or someone?
Or try your camera on another computer that is known to work .
Need to narrow down where the problem could be. Either the firewire or
camera..

 

[Guest]

Yo!
Problem solved!!!!! Whihoooa!!
Went back to the store, got my money back (95euro) and thought "this was the
end of my dv-camera....
In another computerstore, there was another IEEE 1394 for half the price...
What the heck, bought that, pluged it in, an wolla! It works!!!!
My "JVC DR-D346E" now works with "ST Lab IEEE 1394+USB 2.0 Cardbus"
(from pc-city store)