Most users of Firewire products like DVCam decks and cameras are unaware of the fact that this is NOT a hot-pluggable system! If you don't power down your PC/Mac and you device (camera/deck) before attaching or detaching via firewire, you stand the chance of frying the firewire controller on the deck/camera, or the firewire port on your computer, which in the case of a Mac is on the logic board (the "motherboard"). This is expensive and time-consuming either way you look at it. It's not covered under warranty, and as a facility owner I can personally attest to the fact that sooner or later, it will happen... I have burned chips on 2 Sony decks and one Mac. Sony recommend the following procedure: 1. Switch off all equipment, including external drives which may be attached via firewire to the computer. 2. Attach firewire cable to camera/deck/drive 3. Attach firewire cable to computer 4. Power up computer 5. Power up devices (can be during boot-up) BTW, the solution ...
Comments and tips about working in the *exciting* world of non linear video editing. All about discreet, FCP, and HDTV. What else? Why do we inflict this pain on ourselves? This is a job for masochists..........aka: Confessions of a Carte Blanche Editor* (Carte Blanche is South Africa's version of '60 Minutes')....... yes, it does get edited, otherwise it would be reality tv. And I'm the only one who gets to 'see it all'. Be very thankful.