Firewire cameras (often with MiniDV tapes)  - should be in DV mode, not HDV. Also, always turn the camera off when connecting or disconnecting it to a computer. 

Connection process:

With camera off and SMP shut down:

Start PC

Plug in camera to Firewire port, turn it on.

Start SMP

Start new project.

(If you start SMP, then connect the camera, it will not be "seen" by the software.)