DCR-HC96 - issues, issues, issues...

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N

Noobtastic

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Jul 9, 2005
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Hardware: DCR - HC96, Sony "premium" DVC

Issues: 1) When attempting to view recorded video on the camera, it will only play the first second. Pressing play again brings up nothing. Could this be attributed to wrong tapes or what..?

2) Not sure if this is that big of a deal, but the camera makes a hissing noise when turned on. My other handicam (mini DV btw) never did that...

3) I was told by a very nice guy at Fry's that the DCR-HC96 accepts 6pin-4pin firewire port, yet when I went home and tried to insert it refused. Am I doing something wrong?!

I honestly don't want to take it back since sony is the only outlet. Amazon won't accept returns on this camera...at least, I don't think. I received it ~5 days ago.

If anybody knows something about an amazon return policy please tell me!

Also, this was a gift and alas I don't have receipt. Getting it would also prove to be a real problem, don't ask why. XD

I'll keep bumping thread till I get some answers since I really have no where else to go.


All responses and help will be appreciated!


 
Fardringle

Fardringle

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2000
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That sounds like a defective camera to me. I would look in to getting it replaced since you only just got it a few days ago.
 
N

Noobtastic

Banned
Jul 9, 2005
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Originally posted by: Fardringle
That sounds like a defective camera to me. I would look in to getting it replaced since you only just got it a few days ago.
Click to expand...

Ah, I wasn't hoping for that. Should I call amazon or go directly to Sony??

When I opened the box, it said, "DO NOT RETURN TO SELLER, CALL SONY"...or something to that nature.

Amazon is closed today...XD!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
N

Noobtastic

Banned
Jul 9, 2005
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Ok I called amazon and they are sending a replacement. YAY!

Now, back to my less important question: What kind of firewire cable does the DCR-HC96 accept? I was told multiple times that the 6pin-4pin cable would work, but apparently it won't connect with the included port.

It can accept firewire, right? I heard the USB sucks and it won't run WMM with it either!


THANKS FOR RESPONSES!
 
gsellis

gsellis

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Dec 4, 2003
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Wait for your new camera. The 4-pin to 6-pin works well. If it is not, either it is a camera, a connection, or a chipset problem. If you have a Via Firewire chipset, it can be unreliable. But wait until the new, undefective camera arrives. BTW, if you still have the other mini-DV camera, the tape should be fine in there. Only when you get to the mixed HDV standards can you see incompatibilities.
 
N

Noobtastic

Banned
Jul 9, 2005
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Originally posted by: gsellis
Wait for your new camera. The 4-pin to 6-pin works well. If it is not, either it is a camera, a connection, or a chipset problem. If you have a Via Firewire chipset, it can be unreliable. But wait until the new, undefective camera arrives. BTW, if you still have the other mini-DV camera, the tape should be fine in there. Only when you get to the mixed HDV standards can you see incompatibilities.
Click to expand...


No, I had a mini DVD camcorder.

I'm awfully confused. What firewire cable is compatible with the DCR??
What about the tapes?
 
gsellis

gsellis

Diamond Member
Dec 4, 2003
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The 4-pin with the 'dent' in the middle is almost on all cameras. It can either be 4 to 4 or 4 to 6. The 6 pin cable includes power, but you do not use it to the camera. So, any cable that you have connection for on your computer will work. For almost all DV cameras, it is plug and play and you will get a device detection. Any firewire cable from Cables4less, etc., are fine.

As for tapes, DVC or mini-DV tapes are the same. With DV tapes, I would order Fujis from B&H for $3.50 each including shipping (10 or more). The key is to buy one tape brand and then stick with it. While the wet/dry lubricant issue will show up in research, it is less of an issue than it originally was when they came out. But, it still can cause minor issues. The best reason to stick with the same tape is called profiling. Tapes "wear" a track in the head which becomes the optimal seating for the tape as it records. Different tape types have different tensions, materials, etc., so each have their own profile across the head. Sticking with the same brand makes sure you have optimal recording (less chance of dropouts or errors). And mixing brands can give you some gunk buildup (Sony is wet, Fuji/Panasonic are dry; don't have them all memorized). The wet and dry lubes can mix funny and make a mess. When they originally came out, it would make this huge gunky buildup that really gummed up the works. They have been reformulated since.

My Sony HDV camera is much more fussy over tapes and I get Sony's consumer HDV tapes from Fry's (B&M) in the 3 pack for $24 for 3.
 
N

Noobtastic

Banned
Jul 9, 2005
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Ok, well I have 8 60 min Sony DVC premium tapes - these were the ones I used in the first "defective" camera. Should I buy different ones or stick with these?? They were 27 dollars.


About the firewire connector, the 6 pin 4 pin connection is NOT working. It does not go in, at all...SERIOUSLY!!!

So what pin do I need to buy?? It cost like 30 bucks and I'm taking it back but I don't know which one to get it.


Please respond soon, I'm leaving in HALF AN HOUR!!!!!!!!!!


THANKS!
 
alfa147x

alfa147x

Lifer
Jul 14, 2005
29,306
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Originally posted by: Noobtastic
Ok, well I have 8 60 min Sony DVC premium tapes - these were the ones I used in the first "defective" camera. Should I buy different ones or stick with these?? They were 27 dollars.


About the firewire connector, the 6 pin 4 pin connection is NOT working. It does not go in, at all...SERIOUSLY!!!

So what pin do I need to buy?? It cost like 30 bucks and I'm taking it back but I don't know which one to get it.


Please respond soon, I'm leaving in HALF AN HOUR!!!!!!!!!!


THANKS!
Click to expand...

Whats wrong with taking the camera into fry's and asking them what cable you need?
 
N

Noobtastic

Banned
Jul 9, 2005
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alfa147x

alfa147x

Lifer
Jul 14, 2005
29,306
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Originally posted by: Noobtastic
Originally posted by: alfa147x
This is the cable he was talking about
http://www.research.att.com/~s...rewire_cable_6_4-3.jpg

is that what you got?
Click to expand...

Yes, that's what I got. Didn't fit.


Whats wrong with taking the camera into fry's and asking them what cable you need?
Click to expand...

I'm doing that, but I still would like to know what is the correct firewire cable...

It was eight 60 minutes Sony DVC premium tapes for $27.
Click to expand...

all of the online pictures i saw, used the firewire 4-pin
post back with your findings
 
N

Noobtastic

Banned
Jul 9, 2005
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I went to Fry's and they tested all the 4 pin/6 pin firewire, and it wouldn't fit. It clearly is a firewire port, but they suggested I might have to buy a firewire cable directly from Sony. I guess some cameras are build with individual ports that are only compatible with a specialized cable....

SUGGESTIONS?!!

This is so f**ked up.

 
N

Noobtastic

Banned
Jul 9, 2005
3,721
0
0
I went to Fry's and they tested all the 4 pin/6 pin firewire, and it wouldn't fit. It clearly is a firewire port, but they suggested I might have to buy a firewire cable directly from Sony. I guess some cameras are build with individual ports that are only compatible with a specialized cable....

SUGGESTIONS?!!

This is so f**ked up.

 
alfa147x

alfa147x

Lifer
Jul 14, 2005
29,306
105
106
Originally posted by: Noobtastic
I went to Fry's and they tested all the 4 pin/6 pin firewire, and it wouldn't fit. It clearly is a firewire port, but they suggested I might have to buy a firewire cable directly from Sony. I guess some cameras are build with individual ports that are only compatible with a specialized cable....

SUGGESTIONS?!!

This is so f**ked up.
Click to expand...

damn sony... proprietary bull shit
 
alfa147x

alfa147x

Lifer
Jul 14, 2005
29,306
105
106
my old canon and my dads pany uses the firewire ports, this is fucked up....
 
N

Noobtastic

Banned
Jul 9, 2005
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F*************k!!!

The amazon link doesn't list my cameras model # and the one on Sonystyle is the same cable on amazon!!!!!


WTF?!!!!
 
alfa147x

alfa147x

Lifer
Jul 14, 2005
29,306
105
106
if you can find that cable in stores some where you can try it out and if it doest work return it, but I have a 79% feeling that it does work.

~good night (F* school tomorrow....)
 
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