View Full Version : Maximum Length of Firewire Cable
HVXOU
12-29-2008, 07:46 PM
Hey guys,
I have done a lot of search on the site for this, originally to find out if you could do HD live to FCP (:Drogar-Dum(DBG):), but then I realized I need a longer than 3ft cable if I want to make this happen.
What is the max length if I am recording 720p/24p - not Native (learned that one too)?
Also, is a 4pin to 6pin fine?
I was looking at this one... http://www.deepsurplus.com/Computer-Cables-Accessories_2/FireWire-i-link-IEEE-1394-4Pin-to-6Pin-Cables/15Ft-Firewire-i-link-IEEE-1394-6Pin-to-4Pin-Cable-Blackbrfont-colorblack-As-low-as-4-24
Jarek Zabczynski
12-29-2008, 08:13 PM
I've used a 15' cable before, no problems.
puredrifting
12-29-2008, 09:16 PM
I've done runs approaching 100 feet. But you then need FireWire repeater boxes. Kramer makes good ones.
Dan
erdiaz
12-30-2008, 04:31 PM
15 feet for HD, 100 feet for sd
Jarek Zabczynski
12-30-2008, 07:51 PM
15 feet for HD, 100 feet for sd
Why would it matter? I know DV is 25mb/s and HD 100mb/s but it should either work or not at all.
xmephestox
12-30-2008, 08:38 PM
voltage issue. the longer the cable the more the voltage has to travel. the reason firewire maintains more stable speed overtime over USB is because it uses higher constant voltage. longer the cable, more degradation in that aspect, less spppeeeed.
HVXOU
12-31-2008, 01:14 AM
Ok, so the 15' should do fine - sweet thanks guys.
David Saraceno
12-31-2008, 10:42 AM
From what I've read, the maximum cable length specified by the IEEE1394 standard is 4.5 meters. However, high quality firewire cables can achieve longer lengths without significantly affecting transmission quality.
erdiaz
01-02-2009, 08:58 AM
I have experimented with every brand of cable, the max length w/o amplifier is 15 feet for hd, very fine cables are good between 120 feet for sd.
xdcdx
06-12-2009, 07:09 AM
What kind of problem do you experience when do you exceed the maximum distance? Dropped frames? The computer stops detecting the camera?
Do you think connecting a Macboob Pro to a 15 feet 9-pin to 6-pin connected to a self-powered 15 feet repeater cable (6-pin male to 6-pin female) will work?
Extension cable like this one:
- http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390056695735&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:Watchlink:middle:uk
- http://www.pccables.com/70922.htm
The second page says: "This repeater cable allows you to extend that distance by an additional 15ft. Extending Multiple cables works based on the Device. You can use three of these in a row without supplying additional Power.
After three units an additional Powered hub can be installed and more extensions can be added to a Max overall length of 120ft." and "6Pin Firewire Ports on LAPTOPS are know to have very limited power output. So these might require additional power added for the extension device to work correctly".
So not sure if it will work with a laptop...