Direct to Disk - Firewire issues

[Max R. Wilson]

I am new to FCP, i have been using Vegas video on PC but now have a MBP.

I am trying to do tapeless recording for our webcast studio, we have a 50ft 4 pin firewire cable and a 4 -6 pin adapter. It works prefect on any windows machine so i know the cable is good. But when i plug it into my MBP or the offices Mac Pro the camera is not detected.

I got it to work once but that was a one time deal

In FCP i have set as "Non Controllable Device" and then go to "log and capture" that is where i just get color bars and no camera feed, if i use a shorter cable it works.

But why would the cable work on a PC and not Mac?

Is there any other software that might work better for Direct to Disk?

Thanks

 

[David Saraceno]

The theoretical limit without a repeater for FW is 14.5 feet.

As to other software, it would depend on which cam you are using.