How to find the right Firewire Cables AI guide
Written by an AI model from its trained knowledge.
What the AI looks for in Firewire Cables
- Port type on each end
- FireWire 400 uses a 6-pin (powered) or 4-pin (unpowered, common on DV camcorders) connector. FireWire 800 uses a 9-pin bilingual connector. You need, for example, a 9-pin to 4-pin cable to connect a FireWire 800 port to a camcorder.
- Bus power
- Only 6-pin and 9-pin connectors carry power. A 4-pin end never powers the device. Bus-powered drives will not spin up through a 4-pin connection.
- Cable length
- Keep each segment within roughly 4.5 m. This is the practical limit for reliable FireWire signalling without a repeater.
- Host compatibility
- Modern computers need a native FireWire card or a Thunderbolt-based adapter path, and the operating system must still support FireWire. Support for FireWire is being removed from current operating systems and hardware.
Brands that matter
- StarTech: Carries every 4, 6 and 9-pin combination plus PCIe FireWire cards.
- Cable Matters: Affordable FireWire 400 and 800 cables.
- Apple: Made the Thunderbolt to FireWire adapter used by Mac owners; it is increasingly hard to find.
- C2G: Reliable legacy FireWire cables.
What to avoid
- USB-to-FireWire cables or adapters, which do not work for camcorders or FireWire drives.
- Buying a cable before confirming that your computer and operating system still support FireWire.
Questions
Can I plug my FireWire camcorder into a USB port?
No. USB and FireWire are different protocols. You need a FireWire port, a FireWire expansion card or a Thunderbolt-based adapter chain.