Formac Studio TVR 3.2.0 Error -01

Mike:

Thanks for your comment.

I will try that option--However, I use to access the same Formac unit before.

I am using a powered Firewire hub also.

Only recent changes I have made were the Firewire Hub, the iSite Camera and the Formac Studio TVR 3.2.0 Upgrade and Tiger with the iLife 05 suite.

I updated last night to Mac OS 10.4.2 with hopes that would resolve the issue--but no help there that I can see at present.

bobg

Mike and other:

Well I finally think I have got to the root of the problem with my Formac TVR 3.20 and he "-0.1 error".

I checked the Formac site.

This time I followed their FAQ reply for the "error -01" response. I had to connect the Formac first to the Firewire port (powered Hub) and then boot up the Mac. When i did this the Formac unit acted normally. It took me to the Formac Preference adjustments after the reboo9t and Permission repairs.

Now the camera was connected and the Clip selections offered both iSite and DV Camera.

I did not import the out put from my VCR yet--but this is major progress. Likely this is due to the recent Tiger update to 10.4.2 which helped on the iSite issue and the re booting to reset everything.

When I select the "About this Mac" display, the following is return on the Firewire Hardware display which indicates the Formac Studio TVR Converter is recognized through the powered Firewire hub, which is displayed as an unknown device. Note the information displayed below:

Manufacturer: LaCie Group SA
Model: 0x1
GUID: 0xD04B431808A787
Maximum Speed: Up to 400 Mb/sec
Connection Speed: Up to 400 Mb/sec
Sub-units:
LaCie Hard Drive FireWire+ Unit:
Unit Software Version: 0x10483
Unit Spec ID: 0x609E
Firmware Revision: 0x102
Product Revision Level: 3.01
Sub-units:
LaCie Hard Drive FireWire+ SBP-LUN:
Capacity: 232.89 GB
Removable Media: Yes
BSD Name: disk2
OS9 Drivers: Yes
S.M.A.R.T. status: Not Supported
Volumes:
LaCie250:
Capacity: 232.76 GB
Available: 209.18 GB
Writable: Yes
File System: Journaled HFS+
BSD Name: disk2s10
Mount Point: /Volumes/LaCie250

iSight:

Manufacturer: Apple Computer, Inc.
Model: 0x8
GUID: 0xA2700040DEC63
Maximum Speed: Up to 400 Mb/sec
Connection Speed: Up to 400 Mb/sec
Sub-units:
iSight Unit:
Unit Software Version: 0x102
Unit Spec ID: 0xA02D
iSight Unit:
Unit Software Version: 0x10
Unit Spec ID: 0xA27
iSight Unit:
Unit Software Version: 0x11
Unit Spec ID: 0xA27
iSight Unit:
Unit Software Version: 0x12
Unit Spec ID: 0xA27
Product Revision Level: 1.0.3

LaCie Hard Drive Firewire:

Manufacturer: LaCie
Model: 0x1
GUID: 0xD04B3B1609DA7A
Maximum Speed: Up to 400 Mb/sec
Connection Speed: Up to 400 Mb/sec
Sub-units:
LaCie Hard Drive Firewire Unit:
Unit Software Version: 0x10483
Unit Spec ID: 0x609E
Firmware Revision: 0x138
Product Revision Level: YAR4
Sub-units:
LaCie Hard Drive Firewire SBP-LUN:
Capacity: 152.67 GB
Removable Media: Yes
BSD Name: disk1
OS9 Drivers: No
S.M.A.R.T. status: Not Supported
Volumes:
LaCie:
Capacity: 148.54 GB
Available: 12.49 GB
Writable: Yes
File System: Journaled HFS+
BSD Name: disk1s3
Mount Point: /Volumes/LaCie
eDrive:
Capacity: 4 GB
Writable: Yes
File System: HFS+
BSD Name: disk1s4
Mount Point:

Unknown Device:

Manufacturer: Unknown
Model: Unknown Device
Maximum Speed: Up to 400 Mb/sec
Connection Speed: Up to 400 Mb/sec

DV converter:

Manufacturer: 0x6037
Model: 0x38000B
GUID: 0x603700C0301A2F
Maximum Speed: Up to 400 Mb/sec
Connection Speed: Up to 400 Mb/sec
Sub-units:
DV converter Unit:
Unit Software Version: 0x10001
Unit Spec ID: 0xA02D

Will advise success later.

bobg

Greg:

Follow the Formac instructions carefully.

I uninstalled the Formac Software as they indicated in the FAQ. I repaired permissions with the Disk Utility and rebooted. Then I reinstalled the Formac Studio TVR software 3.2.0. I repaired permissions and then rebooted the Mac-- this time with the Formac attached to the firewire port with the firewire cable.

I did not do this previously--and the Formac could not be recognized.

When I did this as Formac instructs, it was recognized and it took me into the "Set up" mode and I installed the preferences.

As a check, I went to the "About this Mac" screen and checked the Firewire hardware devices and got the output which I posted.

I was able to get to my Formac to display TV out put on my screen--but I have more adjustments to make.

They Key is to start the Mac while connected to the firewire port with the Formac.

Hope this helps.

bobg

Greg:

When ever I get the Red and Green lights on, that indicates that the digital mode is accessed.

If the yellow and green lights are turned on then the analog line is open on the Formac. I simply hit the "Mode' button to toggle.

As far as your inability to locate the Formac in the firewire hardware, I suggest that you check some other items.

From the Apple Disk Utility, I did the permission repair--but I might make a suggestion first.

It seems as some people have been having success in trashing the preference for for iMove3 from the the following path:

user/Library/preferences/com.apple/imovie3.plist

While you at it do dump the one for:

user/Library/Preferences/com.formac.studiotvr.plist

Do not empty trash.

Do a permission repair first and then reboot.

This will re set your permission and then see if you can see the Formac in the firewire hardware--but only look if it is connected first.

If it is not there again, then connect the Formac completely as well as into the firewire port.

Reboot and now it should be forced to find it.

If not--I honestly do not know what to say--except, I am operating in Tiger 10.4.2. I have iLife 05 and the most recent updates for Formac 3.2.0 as well. The last Apple update to 10.4.2 one helped quite a it.

I am using iMovie with the most recent update.

Now if your firewire port is under powered--that may be an issue.

As i have a powered firewire hub--I have not see this as an issue since I rebooted with the firewire cable plugged into the Mac and the Formac.

If that approach does not work--check the preferences in trash and compare to those that have been reset.

If they mess you up, you can always put them into the right folder.

If not just trash them.

I hope that this helps.

bobg

Greg:

If it worked before, then it should again.

I suspect the unit got confused with Tiger.

Unplug the unit from the Firewire port.

Plug it in again.

Toggle the LED switch till it is amber and green.

Then switch the "off-on" switch on and off.

If neither work remove the firewire connection.

The shut down.

Plug the system back in again. Power up with the unit in the firewire port.

If these do not work--carefuly try looking at the FAQ page on Formac and do exactly what they suggest.

bobg

I determined the source of my display problem not being located in the Firewire Hardware display.

It was a dead firewire port on my G-4 quick silver desk top.

AppleCare coverage came to the rescue and replaced both of the firewire ports on the Mac. Now everything displays OK.

bobg