Transferring MiniDV with JVC GR-DVX 4 (over firewire)

[mbassiouny]

Hello,

I recently got my hands on a JVC GR-DVX 4 to help a friend transfer some mini DV tapes , I put it on "play" mode as suggested by the manual to launch some transfers over firewire but nothing happens at all, none of my computers detect the camcorder when I plug it in.

I am very familiar with firewire, did a lot of transfers, cables are tested, everything works with other firewire devices, etc. Just haven't used this specific camcorder model before, and the S-video/composite output work fine so I was wondering if it has anything special that I should do to "activate" the firewire output. I reached the conclusion that I am probably doing sth wrong in the camcorder settings, or simply the firewire port on the camcorder is dead.

Any suggestions?

[latreche34]

According to the manual there is no mention of transfering DV video over firewire to computer, only still images. But it can be connected to another DV device for dubbing DV video over firewire, Not sure what's the distinction.

[Haunted_TBC]

GR-DVX 4 has no IEEE 1394 compliance of any sort, so you won’t be able to copy footage with it.

[mbassiouny]

Quote:

According to the manual there is no mention of transfering DV video over firewire to computer, only still images

Is that a normal thing (based on your experience with these legacy camcorders) or are you just quoting the manual? because the way I understand it is: the PC port (another connector that exists on the side) is for still image (next to that port they wrote "To PC (DIGITALSTILL)") but for the DV port there is no such indication, so there is no reason to believe it does only still images over firewire... Not to mention DV literally mean "Digital Video" so Why the hell would they only do images only over a "DV" port...?

Quote:

GR-DVX 4 has no IEEE 1394 compliance of any sort, so you won’t be able to copy footage with it.

huh? I don't think we're talking about the same model (I am talking about EG - european - version) " DV output : 4-pin, IEEE1394 compliant"

I attached the manual (first file is in French, second one is in English)

[latreche34]

It's hard to tell, Maybe it doesn't behave as a DV peripheral device for computer, Maybe you can daisy chain it with a DV device that has firewire input and output so it routes the DV stream to computer via that device, but at this point, just get a Sony DV camcorder, they shouldn't be that expensive especially if the camera part is broken. This is why it's important to do your homework and gather information about something before you buy it.

[mbassiouny]

> just get a Sony DV camcorder, they shouldn't be that expensive especially if the camera part is broken

But that's not the question It's like if I ask "how do I cook rice" and you answer "just buy pasta", yes they will both get the job of feeding me done. But that's not the point. I didn't say I am struggling to transfer miniDV tapes and need help with that, I said I already have this one particular camcorder that I am trying to figure out, out of curiosity.

It just doesn't make sense to put a DV (firewire) port that is usually standardized for video transfer to put some non-standard picture transfer feature on it. I have never heard of any company doing such a thing.

[BW37]

On a quick scanning the English version manual you attached, at first, it seems like it should work for video transfer to a PC via Firewire. But on closer reading, I'm not so sure.

On page 48, where it shows the PC connection, it only discusses transferring still images using "the software provided". It never mentions transferring video (or "recorded scenes") with this direct to PC connection.

Later if goes on to discuss (still image?) transfers to other "Video Units" (page 49) and then finally, "recorded scenes" to other "video units" via "video dubbing" (on page 51). Reading through all of that, it appears that the Firewire connectivity is crippled and not fully IEEE1394 compliant in that it is only "one way" so the JVC must be the playback device and it cannot be digitally dubbed "too" like most MiniDV camcorders. I'd say that the problem might be that most PC software like WinDV needs to (at least wants to) communicate "2-ways" with the player Firewire device and this JVC unit can't do this so the software doesn't even know it's there.

Why JVC did it this way, who knows? But it is very odd...

It's also possible that the DV port is damaged. This is not uncommon on those small 4 pin connections. I know all to well...

BW

[latreche34]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbassiouny

But that's not the question It's like if I ask "how do I cook rice" and you answer "just buy pasta", yes they will both get the job of feeding me done. But that's not the point. I didn't say I am struggling to transfer miniDV tapes and need help with that, I said I already have this one particular camcorder that I am trying to figure out, out of curiosity.

No, it's more of like you couldn't cook rice on a microwave so I suggested a stove.

The camcorder you have doesn't appear to do the job due to either not capable of DV streaming or broken firewire/chip, So I suggested buying a compliant camcorder, You don't have to take my advice.

[mbassiouny]

Quote:

No, it's more of like you couldn't cook rice on a microwave so I suggested a stove.

hahaha
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In all cases thanks for your input guys!
As BW37 mentioned the manual is a bit confusing and I am not sure neither.

I was hoping someone else who owns the same model could confirm if theirs works for DV transfer or not.

I think for now I will just leave it in storage until I find a definitive answer for that "mystery".