Picture Controller cannot find ADVC-300

[saunan]

When I start the Picture Controller, a dialog box pops up saying the ADVC-300 cannot be found. I've tried changing the DIP switches on the ADVC, but nothing helps.

* Windows XP Pro SP2
* SIIG FireWire 800 PCI-32T card with Microsoft's Firewire 400 drivers
* Device Manager identifies the ADVC-300 as "AVC Compliant DV Tape Recorder/Player"

Any suggestions? Thanks.

[GrassValley_KH]

I might be losing my memory, but I seem to recall you needing to hook the ADVC300 up with a 6-pin FireWire cable (and possibly set a dip switch setting to allow PC-based control instead of the buttons on the unit itself).

This should be covered in the manual, fyi.

[THoff]

I routinely use a four-pin to four-pin cable between a Toshiba laptop and my ADVC-300, and have no issues. I also never use the buttons, I always control the unit using Picture Controller.

What will screw up communications with the unit is the Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) built into Windows XP. Sometimes (and I don't know what prompts this) Windows suddenly decides to install IEEE 1394 networking support and a network bridge to route Ethernet over the IEEE 1394 connection. If you have these in your Network Connections lists, uninstall them or at least ensure that the ICF is turned off.

[saunan]

Thanks for the feedback.

The Canopus manual says that DIP switch SW1-8 should be set to ON to use Picture Controller. I've done that, with no effect.

I'm using the 4-pin to 6-pin firewire cable that came with the ADVC-300. The 4-pin connector is in the DV I/O port on the front of the ADVC unit, and the 6-pin connector is in the PCI firewire card. Video is captured just fine (aside from the other problem posted here separately).

Windows Firewall is turned off, but I am using F-Secure Internet Security 2007, which has a system and application firewall. I'll try turning that off and see what happens.

Device Manager shows a 1394 Network Adapter. I'll disable that and see what happens.

[saunan]

Got a new 6-pin to 6-pin Firewire cable, plugged it into the BACK of the ADVC, now it works.

Capturing video works fine with the 4-pin to 6-pin cable (shipped with the device) plugged into the FRONT, but Picture Controller didn't work in that configuration.

[metaleonid]

I just purchased ADVC 300 off of ebay and I have the same problem. I use MacBook Pro - XP partition. This is 32 bit. Service Pack 3. Disabled Windows Firewall. I use both 6 and 4 pin firewire - absolutely no luck. Now, when I plug in the device, it is recognized as digital camera:
AVC Compliant DV Tape Recorder/Player

However, I see no image, I am unable to select analog/digital (both led are on when the switch #8 is off). The only time when I can switch between analog and digital is when I unplug the unit from the computer and set the switch #8 off.

If I don't resolve the problem, I will have to return the unit. Please help.

[THoff]

The only time that both LEDs should be on is if there is no valid input signal, or the input includes a Macrovision subsignal. The only reason to ever switch to digital input is for pass-through where a DV signal from a deck or camera is passing unaltered through the ADVC 300.

I normally use a four-pin to six-pin Firewire cable that goes from my laptop's unpowered Firewire port to the six-pin Firewire port on the back of the ADVC 300. Set DIP switch #1 on bank #1 to ON.

[metaleonid]

The only time that both LEDs should be on is if there is no valid input signal, or the input includes a Macrovision subsignal. The only reason to ever switch to digital input is for pass-through where a DV signal from a deck or camera is passing unaltered through the ADVC 300.

I normally use a four-pin to six-pin Firewire cable that goes from my laptop's unpowered Firewire port to the six-pin Firewire port on the back of the ADVC 300. Set DIP switch #1 on bank #1 to ON.

I tried both 4-pin to 6-pin and 6-pin to 6-pin. The only time I can switch between digital and analog is when I unplug the unit from the computer and have switch #8 in the off position. Then I can switch between analog and digital. But it's no use since in that setup I am unable to capture anything.

[THoff]

Are you plugging the analog source into the front or back of the ADVC 300? Make sure you use the connectors in the front.

[metaleonid]

Are you plugging the analog source into the front or back of the ADVC 300? Make sure you use the connectors in the front.

I'm plugging it to the front jacks where the analog/digital switch is (on the left) and firewire 4 pin output on the right. Neither S-Video nor Composite produce any results.

--Leonid

[GrassValley_BH]

Take those cables that are plugged into the front of the ADVC and try them on a TV to ensure there's actually a signal arriving at the ADVC.

[THoff]

Good point. Also make sure the cables carry composite video, not component.

[metaleonid]

Of course, there is a signal. I can even plug it in into my LifeView FlyVideo 3000 capture card on another computer and see the video.

By the way, the status light which is supposed to be on is never on.

I have already called support and waiting for the engineer to call me back. Will post the development. Thank you.

--Leonid

[GrassValley_BH]

Under normal operation, the STATUS light should not be on (ie, it should be dark).