Mac Mini FW 800 - strange connector shape?

[patent10021]

I just bought the Echo AudioFire AD/DA converter for some audio work and it comes with some very nice FW cables. Those thick flexible ones that look like they're woven with kevlar or whatever that stuff is Anyway, I want to use of of the included cables. One has that standard diamond shaped FW connector (no go with the Mac Mini) and the other one is a square end that looks like it's the same as the Mac Mini but alas that one is a bit different too. The Mac Mini input is slightly rectangular while the one included with the interface is a bit more square shaped. So I've got two great quality cables I can't use with my Mac Mini. What is this Mac Mini FW 800 connector?


Interface Info
FireWire (IEEE 1394a) interface with 8' cable
Bus powered with 6-pin FireWire interface

http://www.echoaudio.com/Products/FireWire/AudioFire4/audiofire4_both_big.jpg

 

[KScottMyers]

I've never seen anything other than the three standard type FireWire 800 or 400 connectors. See image.

Are you sure the FireWire 800 side does not fit the mini? Just making sure you are lining up that one grove the right way for it to fit properly.

 

[NicoleRichie]

I think you need a hybrid of the two it will be a FW 400 on one end and FW 800 on the other. Google a 6 pin to 9 pin.

 

[philipma1957]

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10301&cs_id=1030105&p_id=3542&seq=1&format=2

this is the right cable


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002JH3TW8...e=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B002JH3TW8

this adapter will plug into your mini giving you a 400 instead of a 800. you can then use the fancy 400 to 400 cable

 

[patent10021]

this is the right cablehttp://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10301&cs_id=1030105&p_id=3542&seq=1&format=2

The cable is probably better than the adapter hey. So will my speed become slower or get faster because I'll be using the Mac Mini's 9pin FW800 port?

EDIT: Is this correct?

FW 400 = 6pin original standard shape.
FW 400 = 4pin smaller square shape (camcorders etc)
FW 800 = 9pin larger square type (found on my Mac Mini )

Pictures below show the cables included with my audio interface. They are only FW400 cables. If I buy the 6pin-9pin cable will I get FW 800 speeds for my interface?

 

[xraydoc]

The cable is probably better than the adapter hey? Why is the FW on the Mac Mini such an odd type? So my speed will be reduced to 400 from 800? You need to use a power adapter with 400. With 800 you can use the power from the computer. The standard 6pin FW cable was included too but obviously I can't use it. The Mac Mini is the square 9pin right? The one in my photo is the smaller 4pin I believe.

EDIT: Is this correct?

FW 400 = 6pin original standard shape.
FW 400 = 4pin smaller square shape (camcorders etc)
FW 800 = 9pin larger square type (found on my Mac Mini )

Pictures below show the cables included with my audio interface. They are only FW400 cables. If I buy the 6pin-9pin cable will I get FW 800 speeds for my interface?

ImageImageImage

The FW port on the Mac mini isn't odd at all. It's a completely 100% standard FW800 connector. Only FW800 connectors can carry data at FW800 speeds. And any FW400 devices in the chain will cause the entire FW chain to run at 400Mbit/sec.

The little connector in your picture is a FW400 mini connector, used commonly on Sony video cameras. The little square shape is what the standard 4-pin FW400 connector looks like; carries the same data as a 6-pin FW400 cable but not bus power (for hard drives and such).

 

[philipma1957]

the new piece of gear you purchased is a firewire 400 device it is the slower piece of gear not the mini. don't feel gypped or screwed by apple or echo audio gear.

you have a piece of gear that will work fine.
the speed issue should not exist as fw400 is fast enough.

there are many other cables and adapters out there. it is a bit annoying to not have correct cabling included.

but the device calls itself a 1394a fire wire unit. that is a fw400

a 1394b is a fire wire 800 unit. BTW those are nice looking cables.

If I were you I would look for both solutions that I mentioned. one of them will let you use the good cable. the other is a 1 piece solution .

as I read the echo website using a fw800 to an fw400 cable will power your device you will not need any ac power adapter.

 

[patent10021]

BTW those are nice looking cables.

If I were you I would look for both solutions that I mentioned. one of them will let you use the good cable. the other is a 1 piece solution.

Isn't it less hassle just to get the one proper cable? Adapters can pull apart etc. It's not like the FW cable will make a difference in sound quality since it's going via FW. Will it?

Thanks guys and thanks Philip for the links. I'm heading to Yodobashi Camera near my house right now to get the cable/adaptor.

I'm getting my 2 Thunderbolt displays in a couple of days which will almost complete my set up. Can't wait.

Cheers

 

[philipma1957]

Isn't it less hassle just to get the one proper cable? Adapters can pull apart etc. It's not like the FW cable will make a difference in sound quality since it's going via FW. Will it?

Thanks guys and thanks Philip for the links. I'm heading to Yodobashi Camera near my house right now to get the cable/adaptor.

I'm getting my 2 Thunderbolt displays in a couple of days which will almost complete my set up. Can't wait.

Cheers

NOTHING WRONG with using 800-400 cable only. it is the one piece solution