How many of you plan on coming to NAB this year?

Karl, I'm going to NAB just to kick Serious Magic in the butt. (ok, not literally)

HDV should be #1 on your "to do" list!

Will SeriousMagic have DV-RACK ready for HDV at NAB??

Sounds like that's what Karl was hinting at...

Ask me that question in a week. ;)

WAY COOL!!!

I just might have to buy a PC laptop.....damn it.

Please let it be true!

April Fool's is over, so it better not be!

So did they release it for HDV?!?!?!?

DV Rack Question for Mr. Soule
 

How long of a firewire cord may I use with DV RACK?

I have used a 75 foot 4-pin firewire cord with 100% success. Remember, digital video only uses about 1/4th the datarate that firewire provides, so long runs are OK. 15 feet is the maximum length to get 400mbs, but you can go up to 150 feet and run 100mbs no problem.

- ShannonRawls.com

Is that taking into consideration shielded/braided "premium" cable or our good old garden variety bottom-of-the-line firewire cable? The reason why I ask is because those questions were thrown out to me when I made an inquiry at Serious Magic phone support. I was told that anything over six feet requires shielded/braided cable and maybe even "power boosters" if my laptop (plugged into wall current) and XL1s (battery powered) weren't powerful enough to push the signal through.

Are you using the "good stuff" or the "regular stuff?"

Thanks, Shannon.

I've been using a 30-foot cable from Laird with no problems.

The FireWire specification calls for a maximum cable length of 4.5 meters, or under 15 feet. Anything longer than that is technically out-of-spec, so you would be best served to be using the very best cable you can get. Laird and some others are making long cables that seem to work. I don't know what magic they're employing to get past the length restrictions, but it is working.

good stuff.

i can't seem to find it online anymore to give you a link. I bought it from markertek.com but they dont seem to carry it any longer. Wow....i must have a classic cable then. *smile* I was gonna give it away, but I think i'll hold on to this puppy now. *smile*

either way, i dont think they make a 'cheap' 75 footer, so if you find one in that length, then you are probably ok. remember, DV is less then 100mbs, not 400mbs that the spec calls for, so thats why the longer cables are working without a problem.

- shannonrawls.com

Thank you both very much for your prompt, courteous replies. Shannon, when you say "good stuff" do you mean the fancy, braided cable with the see-thru covering?