Blinking PLAYBACK STD in XL H1 SIGNAL SETUP Menu

[Derrick Ramos]

Hey I have the same exact problem, but I use the XH-A1. Did you ever figure out what was wrong?

[Christian Hart]

i also have this problem

brand new canon xh-a1
osx 10.5.6
fcp 6.0.5

i am an freelance editor and have used this machine FCP with other decks and cameras successfully for a good while

have tried every permutation i have found on forums for 4 hours

shot 50i for the whole tape, easy setup HDV 1080/50i firewire basic etc

main sticking points that hasn’t been answered as far as i can tell:

on the xh-a1, PLAYBACK STD AUTO in the SIGNAL SETUP menu is flashing (does this really mean the firewire connection on the camera is broken? can anyone confirm?)

please help – going nuts…

[Derrick Ramos]

I am your saint and savior.
Alas it is not the camera. It is your firewire card as it is fried. As my buddy told me, FireWire ports tend to go out faster than USBs. That and the short bursts of electricity that are sent through the port by means of electronic-not-turned-off being plugged in.

What I did? Bought a new firewire card and got into the habit of turning the camera off before connecting it.

Cheers. May you no longer suffer my brethren.

[Christopher Knell]

@Derrick:
Not so sure about that.
All my external drives were using the same FW ports and were doing fine when I posted this originally waaaay back on February of 2008

Christopher Knell
FireLine Studios
Burbank, CA

[Derrick Ramos]

I would make sure. And double check.

Before I bought a new FireWire card I sent my camera in to irvine to be fixed. They sent it back saying that there wasn’t anything wrong with it. I hooked it back up and the problem was still there.

So then I knew the problem wasn’t the camera.

The reason why it’s blinking is because the camera recognizes that something is plugged in. But the computer doesn’t see it. In my case it was the FireWire card. I can only imagine that it’s the FireWire card for you too.

Have you used any other devices that use the same FireWire port? And if those work then I have no clue. In this case, the shlt has already hit the fan and you should send the camera in.

But if you don’t want to go through the hassle, make sure it’s not the card. Good luck bro.

[Christopher Knell]

Since I originally posted this a year ago, I’ve moved on from the Canon camera and bought a few HVX 200a’s which I’m very happy with.

As far as FW ports go: All Firewire ports on a Mac use the same single Bus. I even think that the 400 and 800 use the same bus. (I’m probably wrong on that) If one goes, they all go.

My best guess for a fix to this issue is to swap out the cable itself. The shorter the better.

Christopher Knell
FireLine Studios
Burbank, CA

[Derrick Ramos]

I also tried swapping cords. And also swapping cords on different machines.

Found out it wasn’t the cord. I am currently using my original cord on the new FireWire card. And you’re right. When the firewire port went out. They all did. After I swapped the card it worked.

[Christian Hart]

hi again all – just a quick one to say thanks to Christopher Knell and every one else.

I had tried everything and the idea that the canon’s firewire section had gone kaput seemed plausible…

However – a perfectly fine cable died between leaving work (where i was using it with a deck) and arriving my house tro test my new camera – what were the chances of that!?

With a new cable (thought i’d better check on the offchance!) everything was fine and dandy.

Feel silly now.

matthew

[Steve Hix]

I just started this flashing problem too with my XH-A1s. Firewire on the PC works fine with my audio interface, and tried other cables. Also doesn’t work on a 2nd computer. I had the firewire port go out on my camera twice before but I never entered the menu to notice the flashing menu if it was flashing or noticed the flash on the display. First repair $600, 2nd $400. If this is another fried firewire port on the camera, any idea why they keep going out? Camera is off when I plug in and unplug.