Firewire 800 - Same as 400 just better?

[PurpleCliff]

I like to plug my digital camcorder into computer through a firewire 400 cord - will this work on firewire 800? If not what can I do?!

 

[NT1440]

Buy the $5 adaptor and your all set.

 

[sushi]

For a video camera with a FW400 4 pin connector, you can use a FW800 to FW400 adapter like this one with your existing cables.

For devices with a FW400 6 pin connector, you can use a FW800 to FW400 cable for $5-10, or an adapter like the one above.

 

[Zyniker]

Buy the $5 adaptor and your all set.

+1

 

[andrewdale]

And, in response to the thread title -- FW800 is not just the same, it's twice as good.

Very noticeable speed difference over both USB2.0 and FW400.

 

[NT1440]

And, in response to the thread title -- FW800 is not just the same, it's twice as good.

Very noticeable speed difference over both USB2.0 and FW400.

Not for him with a 400 device tho.

 

[bluesrules]

Or a FW800 to FW400 cable for $5-10.

I have RAID disks which I connect with FW400 to my MacBook Pro. I want by a Mac Mini but it only has FW800, would the cable you mention work as interface?

 

[PurpleCliff]

Thanks all, I'll look for a 400 to 800 thingo at my local Dicksmith!

 

[andrewdale]

Not for him with a 400 device tho.

Well, yes. I'm just referring to overall.

 

[sushi]

I have RAID disks which I connect with FW400 to my MacBook Pro. I want by a Mac Mini but it only has FW800, would the cable you mention work as interface?

I use one of these cables to connect my MBP FW800 port to an external FW400 enclosure. I've also tried it in reverse, connecting an external FW800 enclosure to my MBP FW400 port.

Both ways work okay with my setup, so I would assume yes it would work with yours. YMMV.

 

[alphaod]

Firewire 800 - Same as 400 just better?

Same as 400, but twice as fast

And yes the adapter aforementioned should work fine.

 

[OttawaGuy]

Thanks all, I'll look for a 400 to 800 thingo at my local Dicksmith!

Dicksmith?

 

[Migsy]

Bear in mind that when you plug a FW400 device into a FW800 bus, the FW800 bus slows down to 400 mode. This will affect all devices on the same bus.

 

[PurpleCliff]

Dicksmith?

Err - it's an electronics shop in Australia.

 

[PurpleCliff]

Bear in mind that when you plug a FW400 device into a FW800 bus, the FW800 bus slows down to 400 mode. This will affect all devices on the same bus.

The FW800 permanently becomes FW400 speed?

 

[Migsy]

The FW800 permanently becomes FW400 speed?

Only during the time a FW400 device is plugged in.

 

[JesterJJZ]

Which means firewire800 will be nonexistent for Protools and DV/DVCPRO editing users.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Forget about adapters. They are a PITA to keep up with. Go to monoprice.com and buy a cheap FW800 to 400 cable like THIS ONE.

 

[Le Big Mac]

Bear in mind that when you plug a FW400 device into a FW800 bus, the FW800 bus slows down to 400 mode. This will affect all devices on the same bus.

Is this true even with FW 400 at end of the chain?

I.e. Mac-->FW800 HD-->FW800 HD-->FW400 device.