Firewire Cables

RockArt

RockArt

Member
I've read a lot on this site about how fragile the firewire ports seem to be on the DVX. When I hook up my camera to my laptop to use DVRack I'm always nervous that there is too much strain on the DVX firewire port. Are there any recommended firewire cables or any way to insure that no damage is done to the firewire port? A 90 degree firewire adapter maybe? If it even exsists?

Thanks,
Chris
 
Re: Firewire Cables

I don't think it's as much physically fragile as it is electonically fragile.

The 4-pin Firewire is "unpowered", but the 6-pin end has voltage on pins1/2

Crappy connectors or sloppy MoBo designers might cause power to show up where it shouldn't be (unlikely), but it's not impossible to jiggle the connectors while inserting the plugs...maybe putting power on a signal pin momentarily. Poof!

Anyway, as long as you have the cam powered down when plugging in the cable, there probably won't be a problem.

Dan
 
Re: Firewire Cables

Thanks for the reply Dan.

I use a 4 pin to 4 pin firewire cable because my firewire port on my laptop is 4 pin. But thanks for the advice on keeping the camera powered down when plugging the firewire in.

Thanks Again,
Chris
 
Re: Firewire Cables

With all cable connections you want to place as little strain on the connector as possible. If you're moving the camera around (for example, shooting handheld while recording through firewire to DV Rack) then you'd probably want to loop the cable through the camera handle, so any strain/pull/tug won't be happening on the connector itself.

If it's sitting still on a desk somewhere, that's obviously not an issue.
 
Re: Firewire Cables

Thanks Barry. Any recommendations on the best firewire cables to use?

Thanks,
Chris
 
Re: Firewire Cables

Not really. I've been using a Laird for long-distance firewire and it's working well, but that doesn't mean it's necessarily any better than other brands.
 
Re: Firewire Cables

I got a 25 foot 4 pin to 4pin from new egg for 10 bucks. I was skeptical at first, but I havn't had a dropped frame using it yet, for about 3 months. Knock Knock Knock :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top