Does the new M8817LL/C resolve firewire problems?

Question

I was wondering if the newer /C model fixes the problem with using other firewire devices?
I have the /B model and experience problems if I have my powered external firewire hard drive and iSight plugged in at the same time. I have an iMac G5, so I am not able to add a 2nd firewire controller.

Answer 1

Hello Darrell,
It's possible Apple made a motherboard revision that helped firewire devices.
I do not know whether it helped anything, but at least some of the new G5 iMacs keep power to the Firewire port even when the Mac is turned off. The only real effect that I know that this has on iSight is documented in How to turn iSight (really) off.
That is a difference in Macs, not in iSights.
<hr>I interpret your original question to ask whether newer iSights offer less Possible hardware or software conflicts with iSight. Here is my take on that question.
Based on my testing and the reports posted here, I do
b not
believe there is any functional difference between the Rev A (like my iSight), Rev B, and Rev C iSights. Neither do I believe the newer iSights are less bothered by conflicts. I think the conflicts are primarily the result of (a) iSight being Firewire powered and (b) conflicts from other devices using Firewire or AV components of your Mac in ways that conflict with iChat AV needs. This means that:
(a) iSights considerable power draw limits the ability of your Mac's Firewire port to provide enough power to an additional Firewire device that is not "self-powered," and
(b) When multiple apps attempt to access Firewire devices or AV applications that are in use at the same time, your Mac's OS or application software can become confused by which app is attempting to use which device for what purpose. Unless there is a later version of the software that corrects such problems, not using the application software is the only work-around I know.
EZ Jim