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.