USB/Firewire adapter? at DVinfo.net

Stan Harkleroad · February 8th, 2011, 08:21 PM

Does a device exist that converts a USB connection to firewire? I'm looking for a new laptop but almost all models are made without firewire connections or even PCMCIA slots to use a firewire card now. I still use DV cameras so it is a deal breaker for me if I have no way to transfer my footage onto a new machine.

David Grinnell · February 8th, 2011, 09:23 PM

Like this?

Amazon.com: USB 2.0 to IEEE 1394 Firewire 4 Pin 4 feet Extension Cable for Digital Camer or camcorder: Electronics

Chris Soucy · February 8th, 2011, 10:16 PM

You can't just turn FireWire into USB with a cable, even if the conductors were actually connected at both ends, which I doubt.

They are two completely different protocols, both electronicaly and software wise.

$2.89?

Remember the old adage: "If it looks too good to be true................."

I'm suprised someone hasn't been sued, quite frankly.

Give that thing a swerve.

There may well be one out there, but that ain't it.

CS

Edward Carlson · February 8th, 2011, 10:34 PM

You would need a converter, not a simple cable adapter. That thing definitely doesn't work. Your best bet is finding a laptop with an ExpressCard slot and getting a FireWire ExpressCard. That or buy a tower and add a FireWire card.

Stan Harkleroad · February 8th, 2011, 10:41 PM

I know those cables don't work. That's why I was looking for another option. As for tower vs. laptop I'm specifically going for a laptop because I can use it for other purposes besides video.

Jim Andrada · February 9th, 2011, 09:46 PM

Some of the Apple laptops now have Firewire 800 which CAN be connected to slower Firewire 400 devices with an adapter cable.

Stan Harkleroad · February 10th, 2011, 12:14 AM

I'm not going for Apple so it rules that out.

Erik Norgaard · February 10th, 2011, 03:00 AM

USB and Firewire are totally different and incompatible architectures, USB is packet based and provides no assurance of minimum bandwidth. Firewire on the other hand ensures you a constant data stream, which is why it's ideal to DV where you read from tape at a constant rate. So, a USB-Firewire solution won't happen.

Stan Harkleroad · February 10th, 2011, 12:14 PM

I've realized that. I'm going to call up Dell and see if they still have the Sudio models for sale that have firewire inputs. My wife bought one last year but they are not sold online anymore. I'm thinking I might just use my budget to get a decent machine and a Sony PCM-M10 recorder since I've really been wanting one of those also.

B&H has Acer laptops for decent prices and they seem to have favorable reviews.

D.J. Ammons · February 10th, 2011, 02:34 PM

I got a laugh looking the dismal 1.5 star review rating on that Amazon cable. It is really aggravating trying to get a computer with a firwire input these days. I just spent $1600 on a new Dell XPS 8100 and still had to spend more money installing a firewire card myself. Since I was taking up the one remaining slot I paid $60 and got a card that had both firewire 400 and 800 plus additional USB 2.o ports. The good news is that it has worked fine. A little scary cracking open your brand new computer to add something to it.

Stan Harkleroad · February 10th, 2011, 02:57 PM

If I was looking for a new desktop it wouldn't be an issue. I could buy whatever I want and slap in a card. I don't even have a desktop with firewire anymore. I've worked exclusively on a laptop for a few years and the portability makes a huge difference.

Kin Lau · February 11th, 2011, 09:49 AM

Many laptops come with Expresscard slots. I use an Expresscard FW adapter, only $20- from Ebay.

February 8th, 2011, 08:21 PM	#1
Stan Harkleroad Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Gautier, MS Posts: 175	USB/Firewire adapter? Does a device exist that converts a USB connection to firewire? I'm looking for a new laptop but almost all models are made without firewire connections or even PCMCIA slots to use a firewire card now. I still use DV cameras so it is a deal breaker for me if I have no way to transfer my footage onto a new machine.

February 8th, 2011, 09:23 PM	#2
David Grinnell Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Owensboro, ky Posts: 96	Like this? Amazon.com: USB 2.0 to IEEE 1394 Firewire 4 Pin 4 feet Extension Cable for Digital Camer or camcorder: Electronics Amazon.com: USB 2.0 to IEEE 1394 Firewire 4 Pin 4 feet Extension Cable for Digital Camer or camcorder: Electronics

February 8th, 2011, 10:16 PM	#3
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,682 Images: 18	Whoa, guys............ You can't just turn FireWire into USB with a cable, even if the conductors were actually connected at both ends, which I doubt. They are two completely different protocols, both electronicaly and software wise. $2.89? Remember the old adage: "If it looks too good to be true................." I'm suprised someone hasn't been sued, quite frankly. Give that thing a swerve. There may well be one out there, but that ain't it. CS

February 8th, 2011, 10:34 PM	#4
Edward Carlson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: North Hollywood, CA, United States Posts: 807	You would need a converter, not a simple cable adapter. That thing definitely doesn't work. Your best bet is finding a laptop with an ExpressCard slot and getting a FireWire ExpressCard. That or buy a tower and add a FireWire card.

February 8th, 2011, 10:41 PM	#5
Stan Harkleroad Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Gautier, MS Posts: 175	I know those cables don't work. That's why I was looking for another option. As for tower vs. laptop I'm specifically going for a laptop because I can use it for other purposes besides video.

February 9th, 2011, 09:46 PM	#6
Jim Andrada Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 2,211	Some of the Apple laptops now have Firewire 800 which CAN be connected to slower Firewire 400 devices with an adapter cable.

February 10th, 2011, 12:14 AM	#7
Stan Harkleroad Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Gautier, MS Posts: 175	I'm not going for Apple so it rules that out.

February 10th, 2011, 03:00 AM	#8
Erik Norgaard Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 238	USB and Firewire are totally different and incompatible architectures, USB is packet based and provides no assurance of minimum bandwidth. Firewire on the other hand ensures you a constant data stream, which is why it's ideal to DV where you read from tape at a constant rate. So, a USB-Firewire solution won't happen.

February 10th, 2011, 12:14 PM	#9
Stan Harkleroad Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Gautier, MS Posts: 175	I've realized that. I'm going to call up Dell and see if they still have the Sudio models for sale that have firewire inputs. My wife bought one last year but they are not sold online anymore. I'm thinking I might just use my budget to get a decent machine and a Sony PCM-M10 recorder since I've really been wanting one of those also. B&H has Acer laptops for decent prices and they seem to have favorable reviews.

February 10th, 2011, 02:34 PM	#10
D.J. Ammons Major Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 506	I got a laugh looking the dismal 1.5 star review rating on that Amazon cable. It is really aggravating trying to get a computer with a firwire input these days. I just spent $1600 on a new Dell XPS 8100 and still had to spend more money installing a firewire card myself. Since I was taking up the one remaining slot I paid $60 and got a card that had both firewire 400 and 800 plus additional USB 2.o ports. The good news is that it has worked fine. A little scary cracking open your brand new computer to add something to it.

February 10th, 2011, 02:57 PM	#11
Stan Harkleroad Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Gautier, MS Posts: 175	If I was looking for a new desktop it wouldn't be an issue. I could buy whatever I want and slap in a card. I don't even have a desktop with firewire anymore. I've worked exclusively on a laptop for a few years and the portability makes a huge difference.

February 11th, 2011, 09:49 AM	#12
Kin Lau Major Player Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 385	Many laptops come with Expresscard slots. I use an Expresscard FW adapter, only $20- from Ebay.