Firewire Cord always goes bad

[Underbelly]

I have an older Sony DV camcorder that I've been using with imovie for years. Here is the problem The Firewire cords go bad after a few months. After a while, the computer (G4 ibook) doesn't recognize that a camera is attached.

First it's once in a while but I can get it if I play aorund, but after a while it doesn't see the camera at all until I buy a new firewire cable.

These cables are $25-$30! I don't want to keep investing in new ones.

Let me know if you have any thoughts/ideas!

thanks
Jeff

 

[MattsxB]

I have not heard of firewire cables going bad but don't spend that much on firewire cables.

Monoprice has great deals on cables.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/search.asp?keyword=firewire&x=0&y=0

Matt

 

[TJunkers]

See... this is why Steve Jobs wants to do away with it... haha.

But yeah, I've had the same problem. It too was a sony device. I'm guessing sony's firewire cable, or whoever makes it, makes it really sheap.

 

[Underbelly]

I've tried expensive ones, cheap ones and its all the same. Makes me go crazy.

Thanks guys

And if anyone knows of any free software that can get my video into the computer, let me know!

 

[Gray-Wolf]

Is it the cable? or the connection?

Try the firewire on another device, Backup drive or something. If it works, as it should, the connection is at fault.

Also, get a Q-Tip, dip in rubbing alcohol, and clean the contact points of the camera and the computer, and the cable. Dirty connections can also make it fail.

 

[Resist]

Cables can't go bad unless they break.