Locking Firewire on HPX170

puredrifting

puredrifting

Major Contributor
I have combed through the manual and Barry's book and I may be overlooking it, but what is a locking Firewire cable and how does it lock into the 170?

When I insert a regular six pin FW, it is snug because the 170 is new and fresh but it does not lock. Are there some sort of special locking Firewire 400 cables that I don't know about? I Googled and all I can find are 9-pin FW 800 cables that lock.

Anyone know?

Dan
 
It not supposed to lock in the way you are thinking. It has that sort of "click" when you plug it in versus the older 4-pin firewire in the HVX that simply sits in the port and could be pulled out much more easily than the "locking" port on the HPX. It takes more effort to remove it on the HPX, which is a good thing.

edit: Hmmm, I didn't know about the locking cables mentioned below
 
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Really, that's it? I am curious what these two little square metallic spaces are above and below the fitting itself for? It does lock in okay but anyone barely tugging on the wire would still remove it. I am disappointed. The SDI connection. Now that's a locking connection. I thought the FW was going to be similar.

Oh well.

Dan
 
I'm with Dan on this one. I thought it was supposed to lock in place. At least that's what I thought Jan meant in her video overview. Maybe locking firewire is a soon-to-come feature?
 
I'm pretty sure you have to have a locking Firewire cable.
It usually has two prongs that you squeeze to release.

I think the Firewire connector on the 170 has the little cutouts for the prongs to slide into place, locking it to the camera but a regular Firewire cable isn't going to lock
 
n8ture said:
I'm pretty sure you have to have a locking Firewire cable.
Click to expand...

You're right !

These cables are not easy to find but they should become more common among Panasonic camera sellers now. My seller is going to order a certain number

Gary
 
n8ture said:
I'm pretty sure you have to have a locking Firewire cable.
It usually has two prongs that you squeeze to release.

I think the Firewire connector on the 170 has the little cutouts for the prongs to slide into place, locking it to the camera but a regular Firewire cable isn't going to lock
Click to expand...

So where does one obtan a locking Firewire cable? I have Googled but can't seem to find one. Maybe I will try Firewire Depot or Granite Digital?

Dan
 
this doesn't directly relate to the HPX170 but to locking firewire cables ...

has anyone tried some?
I'd like to get some for my external hds because I'm sick of running into troubles with connectors coming out from my MBP.
Maybe I should try angled connectors ...


my online searching has found me this
http://www.northwire.com/assembly_MVC_FWbbEL.php

I also found some firewire cables that are locked by screwing in but this doesn't apply to most situations because regular ports aren't designed to be screwed into like say old serial or parallel ports.
 
The link page references 9 pin FW, which I understand to be FW800 plugs

The 170 has a six pin, which is FW400, I believe.
 
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