FireWire 800 versus FireWire 400 for HDV Import

Hi,
I have a Canon HV20 camcorder. I just got a new previous generation MBP which has both FireWire 800 and 400 on it. Will I see any improvements during film capture if I connect my camcorder to the FireWire 800 port instead of the FireWire 400 port?
Thanks in advance.
Dave

No. HDV has the same data rate as standard DV (25Mbps) so you can use either a Firewire 400 or 800 port fine.

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Problems with sound sync for HDV import (MPEG file)

I've imported a one hour tape from my Sony HDR-HC3 (HDV import), and within a few minutes the sound and video get out of sync when I play it. I have elements v4 and also tried version 8 (trial) which was better but still a second out of sync vs 4-5 seconds for v4. The imported files for both versions both play perfectly in Windows Media player with no sync problems.
I'm running on Windows 7 64 bit with 4GB ram and a 4 core AMD processor which isn't struggling. In searching the web I've seen some old workaround solutions for similar problems which involved deinstalling quicktime, installing streamclip and a quicktime alternative and then converting the files imported by Elements. I am hoping there is a more straightforward solution within Elements which avoids having to go through this workaround.
Has anyone had this problem and solved it?
Thanks
Andrew

Thanks for the pointer Neale. I tried converting the file with Streamclip (quite slow - about 1/3 play speed) and noticed there were some errors reported near the beginning. I reimported the HDV into Premiere Elements 4 but this time in a number of smaller sections. I think it may have been related to those errors because when I cut to a later section the sound was in back in sync where it previously had been out of sync. This seems to have solved it for me. If I get some time to have a play with the converting solution I'll post the results back here, but for now I can catch up with the video editing which has fallen behind a bit.
Thanks again.
Andrew

Need connector from firewire 400 to USB 2 port

got a new i-book and want to use my old ext hardrive firewire 400 for backup.
Is there a cable that connects the new i-book USB port to the firewire 400 ext hard drive so I can use the old external hard drive as backup?
Or am I screwed?

Doesn't the FireWire port on the iBook work?
Or are you mistaken about what you have? Is it a MacBook you have instead of an iBook?
If it is a 2010 Mac, it would be a MacBook, and, yes, it would not have a FireWire port.
External USB drives are fairly inexpensive. That would be the route I'd take.
The MacBook Bluetooth, USB, FireWire, RAM (MacBook) forum can be found here:
http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1170

I am using IMovie 11 with a new iMac. Unable to import video from a Panasonic PV-GS400 mini-DV camcorder using a Firewire IEEE 1394 400 cable connected to a Firewire 400 to 800 adapter which is then connected to a Thunderbolt to Firewire 800 adapter.

How can I get iMovie to recognize my Panasonic PV-GS400 as a device so I can import video to my iMac? I have a FireWire IEEE 1394 400 cable connected to the camcorder. Since my new iMac has only Thunderbolt ports, I purchased a Firewire 400 to 800 adapter to connect to the cable. I also purchased a FireWire 800 to Thunderbolt adapter to connect to the computer. My camcarder is still not recognized.

I would suggest that you try a 9 pin to 4 pin Firewire Cable along with the Firewire to Thunderbolt adapter.
Those Firewire 400 to 800 adapters do not seem to work well with iMovie.
The 9 pin to 4 pin cables are available at reasonable prices here, for example.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10301&cs_id=1030104 &p_id=3541&seq=1&format=2

How will an external Hard drive designed for the macbook Pro work with my White Macbook? My white macbook has a Firewire 400 and the G-Tech HD has a 800 to 400 compatible cable for the firewire.

I am asking this because I want the G-Tech Hard drive says that it is designed for the macbook pro. Yet, I want to back up faster with by using my firewire 400 which is not an option on the one designed for the white macbook that does not have a firewire (only a USB port.) The G-Tech Hard drive comes with the 800 to 400 compatible cable and has 5400 RPM with 750 GB. Also, I've heard that laptops with low battery (mine all the time) won't have the power for a bus powered Hard drive (as in no ac plug in adaptor.) Can I just plug in my laptop? Any one know the answers from experience with this hard drive?

As far as I know, if a harddrive works with a Macpro, it should work with the Macbook: if your Macbook is low on power, plug in the AC adapter
If your Macbook has a firewire port, then it should be fine. BUt i would do somemore research first.

Using the firewire 800 port for my firewire 400 devices

I will be purchasing, at long last, a new mac mini to replace my faithful and well behaved G4 mac mini. I have a 20" cinema display and an external firewire 400 backup drive with the same form factor that sits below the mini. I would like to continue to use these peripherals as well as my video camera DV out. Ideally, it would be cool to have a FW800 hub that had both 800 and 400 places to plug my peripherals, but I don't see that available. Should I get a hub and adaptors for the fw400 components I want to add, or use the hard drive with an adaptor to the mini, then use the FWports on the drive for the monitor, and whatever else I want, thereby using the drive as a hub...
Any advice to this ignorant question would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Paul

Since Firewire 400 devices still operate at Firewire 400 speeds regardless of whether or not they are connected by adapter to Firewire 800 ports, the best thing to do is just get a Firewire 800 to 400 adapter, and attach it to a Firewire 400 hub known to be able to do all the functions you desire.
Note, migrating to Intel Macs from PowerPC Macs is not as easy as the Migration Assistant, as this user tip explains:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=435350&tstart=0

Audio interface for 24" iMac - conflict between firewire 400 and 800?

So, what I have now:
2.8ghz iMac, latest model, newest firmware, running OS 10.4.11, connected to an M-Audio Ozonic Firewire 400 interface, and I was hoping to run said interface while ALSO connecting a firewire 800 hard drive for samples, or for recording to.
Alas, as soon as I turn on the firewire 800 drive, a model sold by Other World Computing and containing an Oxford chipset, all audio stops on the Ozonic keyboard and is replaced by clicks and pops. The only way I've found to get the audio back is with a complete restart of the system, with the firewire 800 drive OFF.
For those of you who aren't familiar with the M-Audio device, it's a small keyboard and firewire audio interface in one unit. Perhaps not the highest quality, but my Powerbook G4 1.67 with firewire 800 CAN run both the Ozonic and the firewire 800 drive at the same time. With no interruption in sound playback.
I did some research and discovered that in the iMac I bought, the two firewire channels, 400 and 800, appear to be on the same PCI E bus, and perhaps will NEVER work together.
Is that right? I thought the whole point of firewire was how it's able to negotiate such communications and work seamlessly with other firewire devices. I know, I know, I'm living in dreamland, it's just sad that a much older Apple product (my PPC notebook), can do something a brand new model cannot. Sigh.
Any advice? Any chance 10.5 fixes this?
If not, should my next audio interface be USB 2.0? Any thoughts from the Audio pros out there (besides 'you bought the wrong machine) would be great.

Sorry I can't help with your specific query as I have never used that Audio hardware.
I am a video man myself and went for the 24" 2.8Ghz iMac as i believe the Firewire 400 and 800 Buses are seperate. I know on older iMacs and even the MacPro the FW800 and 400 buses were on the same bus and when connecting a firewire video camera to the FW400 bus, the 800 would lower it's speed to 400 to accomodate or in some cases would lose the connection all together.
I currently have a FW800 Hard drive connected to the FW800 port and a video deck in the FW400 port and they both run at full speed 800/400 respectively.
This leads me to believe Apple have fixed the Firewire sharing problem.
I know it's no help but just though I would share my experience with the Firewire on the new iMac.

Firewire 800 vs 400 for Migration Assistant

I'm trying to use Migration Assistant to move stuff from my old iMac, which has Firewire 400 ports to my new iMac which has Firewire 800. I bought a cable that has one plug type on each end, but it seems the two iMacs can't 'see each other' using this cable. Also, if I connect my external LaCie hard drive (which has both)to my new iMac using this cable, it doesn't mount, although it will using a USB2 cable. This isn't an option for Migration Assistant. Any ideas?

Well, either the cable is bad or your firewire port is bad. Firewire 800 is backward compatible to 400. Try on someone elses mac. If it works on theirs, then your port is suspect.
Glor

Audio Interfaces for Classical Music, Firewire 400/800?

In the near future I will be getting a new MacBook or MacBook Pro, and I am looking to record classical music (brass, solo and ensemble, chamber groups, etc). Is getting the Firewire 800 port necessary or recommended for hooking up to a good audio interface? I am a bit confused as to how the bus power works and whether it has to be a 400/800 port.
I am looking at a MOTU Traveler and a Fireface 800. Any other suggestions?

I have read and experienced lots of driver issues with the MOTU stuff lately as well as many of others.
I currently own both a M-Audio Firewire 410 and 1814 both are fantasic interfaces. Both are firewire 400 and bus powered.
I personally don't see a need for a interface at 800...I have had no problems with my interfaces at 400

Firewire 400 or 800 for External HD

Hello. I presently have an eMac and will be upgrading to an iMac early in 2008. I am looking at purchasing a Lacie Porsche Ext. Hd 500 GB which has FW400 on it. This will suit my eMac as it has a 400 port on it and I can use it now. My question is, will the FW400 be sufficient for the iMac or would I be better advised to try and get an External Drive with both 400 AND 800? Thanks for any comments or guidance.

No one knows at this point what ports the iMac will have in early 2008. Today, just the 24" iMac has a Firewire 800 port. The time you want Firewire 800 is when you need extra speed in data transfer between hard drive and computer. This is usually when you are doing video capture or something else where live access to extra space is essential. For backing up, you just save some time. But actual video playback will improve if playing off a Firewire 800 drive. You can always change the hard drive case on other external hard drives, but LaCie's are awfully difficult to take apart. To offer maximum flexibility find a drive that offers both Firewire 400 and 800, and you should be fine.

Firewire 400- eMac wants to connect to Firewire 800-only iMac for migration

Is there any way (say, an adapter) to make it possible to connect an eMac to a brand-new iMac in order to migrate the files etc. from the older to the newer? It appears that the cable terminals are not compatible (I only have used the older Firewire 400 cables).
Rich Look

Hi Rich
Welcome to Apple Discussions
One way is to use the Sonnet FireWire 400 to 800 adapter:
http://store1.sonnettech.com/productinfo.php?productsid=87
You could also use a Network, a direct Ethernet connection or External HD to transfer your files.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1549
Dennis

Firewire 400/800 Questions

Hello -
I recently upgraded to a new 24" iMac and noticed that there is only one firewire 400 port (as opposed to my previous G5 which had two.) In my old configuration I had an external drive connected to one of the firewire 400 ports and all of my peripherals (DV camera, card reader, etc.) in the other port.
Now that there is only one port, and I must daisychain with the hard drive, will I run into a problem when I try to import footage from the DV camera to that external firewire drive? From what I've read only one firewire device should be used at at time and this would obviously be using two.
I am considering buying a firewire 800 drive as a potential solution and wondered if it would, in fact, be a solution. Also, would a firewire 800 port be that much faster to notice a difference? If so, I might buy one anyway.
Thank you in advance for your responses and my apologies for not really knowing much about this stuff.

I have a Core Duo, so I have two FW 400 ports. Thus I'm answering this based on theory, not experience. FW 800 is supposed to support 400 Mbps connections. So you can use the 800 port by getting a cable that has an 800 connector on one end and a 400 on the other. You can definitely use more than one FW device at the same time. However they will share the bandwidth. If they are not designed well, they might possibly interfere, but that shouldn't happen.
A typical disk drive will deliver about 35 MB/sec. A FW 400 port can handle that. However I've seen some reviews suggesting that with the most recent fast drives (particularly the big ones that bundle several physical drives into one) you may see some performance advantages to FW 800.
A lot depends upon how you use the drive. If you copy one drive to another, or use large files, you'll get very high speeds. But in normal use, the drive spends most of its time moving the heads around, and you won't see much difference between FW 400 and 800.
I would be inclined to start by getting a FW 400 to 800 adapter cable and splitting devices across the two ports as you did before.

Firewire 400 or 800?

So, I just purchased a Samsung camcorder, but only came with USB cable. From what I read from this forum is that you need to have the firewire cable to import video from camcorder to Mac.
What exactly is the difference between Firewire 400 and Firewire 800? Is it only differed by the transfer rates? or perhaps usage?
So, what kind of firewire cable do I exactly need to connect my camcorder? It seems like there are various connector types and just don't know which one to get...
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?cid=103&cp_id=10301&cs_id=1030104&pid=328&seq=1&format=2
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?cid=103&cp_id=10301&cs_id=1030105&pid=3543&seq=1&format=2
Or just simply get the one on the apple site which costs $29?
Thanks.

The two ends of a 6-pin-to-4-pin FireWire cable look like this:
The big end (6-pin) goes into your Mac, and the small end (4-pin) generally goes into most amateur camcorders which have a FireWire connection. (Many PCs have a small, 4-pin socket instead of the larger 6-pin socket which you find on Macs.)
You don't say which Samsung camcorder you have. Generally, only camcorders which use DV tape have a FireWire connector. Camcorders which have a hard disc inside, or record onto chips, or onto something other than tape, generally have, instead, a USB connection, which is generally smaller and flatter than a FireWire socket, and often looks like this:
That will NOT carry video directly between a camcorder and iMovie, and is generally used for either (a) importing still pictures into a Mac, or (b) copying a video file from a camcorder onto a Mac, and then the video can afterwards - possibly after conversion into a different kind of format - be imported from the Mac's own hard disc into iMovie.
Note that I've never found it possible to import from a camcorder using a 9-pin-to-4-pin FireWire 800 cable ..which looks like this;
There's no advantage using FW 800 ..on a Mac which has a FireWire 800 connection.. because FireWire from a camcorder generally runs at only a quarter the possible full speed of FireWire 400 anyway, and it'll run no faster using FW800.

External Harddrive ethernet vs Firewire 400/800

What would be better to invest in a ethernet harddrive or a firewire 400/800
I do need an external harddrive for video editing, mainly 1080i Hi-Def video as I have a Sony HVR A1 and am shooting hi-def.
Thanks
Justin
Durban South Africa

Firewire 800. Ethernet hard drives are very unlikely to provide an uninterrupted flow of video.
For what it's worth, your camera records HDV which has the same data rate as DV.
x

Firewire 400-800 with 24p footage

I have the new intel macbook pro with firewire 400 and am starting to capture from my v1u 24p HDV, will that be a bottleneck without firewire 800?

HDV, because of its highly compressed nature fits into the same bandwidth as DV, so no... FW400 is not a bottle neck for it...
Patrick

FireWire 800 versus FireWire 400 for HDV Import

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