Usb vs firewire cable

the 5th gen. ipod come with a usb cable can i use a firewire cable with it instead? the firewire cable is much faster with my old ipod.

Hello krop and everyone,
IMHO, Apple changed to USB to move product for the iPod line.
While FW is an Apple innovation, corporate logic would not allow sales to be limited with an an estimated 94% market share on PC's w/out FW connections.
That said, the debate here depends on which computer OS/hardware your have, and the Bottom Line is that real transfer depends on the chipset your hardware is using.
Beware of and use of the word, "theoretical". It's far different from actual "transfer speed" or "throughput".
Theoretical Throughput (Maximum)
Megabits Megabytes
USB (low xfer ) 1.5Mbps .19MBps
USB (high xper) 12 Mbps 1.5 MBps
FW-400 (1394a) 400 Mbps 50 MBps
USB 2.0 480 Mbps 60 MBps
If your interested, here's a link that may help or confuse the issue more.
http://www.barefeats.com/usb2.html
Respectfully,
Bill Gallagher

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23" display looses power when either USB or firewire cables are connected

I was actively using my computer when one of my 2 23" cinema displays lost power. I thought it died and was unplugging everything, when I discovered that it powered back on when both the connected USB and FIREWIRE cables were disconnected from my mac. If I connect either one, it immediately goes black (with no white LED). Any solutions outside of taking the thing in for repair?

I'm leaning toward suspecting the 65w power brick of delivering insufficient power to the monitor to drive the USB/Firewire load. Gonna try a different power brick and see if that makes any difference.

Is it safe to plug and unplug USB and Firewire cables with the computer on?

Is it safe to plug and unplug USB and Firewire cables with the computers on? I have a Mac G4 and a newly purchased IMac and I use one printer for both computers. Should I shut down the computers when I unplug the printer and connect to the other computer? How about when switching firewire drives.
Is there an easy way to have both computers connected to the same printer? I have an Epson 1280 printer.

Yes, you can unplug a printer without shutting down the computer, but if you are switching the printer to another computer then you should first turn off the printer, unplug it, re-connect to the other computer, then turn on the printer. This will assure that the printer will be properly recognized.
If you have your computers networked via Ethernet then you can leave the printer connected to one computer and share it with the other via the network connection. Printer sharing is turned on using the Sharing preference in System Preferences. You will need to Add the printer on both computers so you will need the appropriate printer driver installed on both computers.
See the following articles for more:
http://members.cox.net/18james/osxprintersharing.html
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58028
http://www.apple.com/support/tiger/network/
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106658
Also select Mac Help from the Finder's Help menu and search on "printer sharing."
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Is it safe to plug and unplug USB and Firewire cables with the computers on

Is it safe to plug and unplug USB and Firewire cables with the computers on? I have a Mac G4 and a newly purchased IMac and I use one printer for both computers. Should I shut down the computers when I unplug the printer and connect to the other computer? How about when switching firewire drives.
Is there an easy way to have both computers connected to the same printer? I have an Epson 1280 printer.

USB/Firewire ports were designed to be "hot" plugged. You can safely plug and unplug devices without usually having to shut down the computer or the device. Some devices, such as external HDs, digital cameras and iPods need to be "ejected" first, so as not to damage their formatting or data.
You can network your Macs wirelessly or with an ethernet cable and then set the printer connected to one computer to be shared with the other computer.
Here are a couple of links;
Connecting two computers using Ethernet
Sharing your printers with other computers

Disconnecting all USB and firewire cables before upgrading OS X?

Hello,
I would like to confirm my understanding of some empirically effective advice provided in this previous Post about disconnecting USB and firewire cables before doing a Software Update and I presume also a Download update. What is gained by disconnecting the peripherals connected to the USB and firewire ports?
I'm getting ready to update from OSX 10.2.8 to 10.3.9 (using full Retail CDs, of course).
1. So it would NOT be a good idea to do the update in an external firewire drive? I had done this previously to leave my original OSX 10.1.5 in my internal drive alone while I tested the upgrade to 10.2.8 in a firewire drive. (I have since added a second internal drive.)
2. That I should disconnect my two printers from their USB ports.
3. If I'm doing a Download update vs. Software Update (from System Preferences), I guess I should also disconnect the cable to the modem?
4. Run Repair Permissions before and after each software update step?
Thanks in advance.
Raymon

Browsing through the Apple instructions on installing updates I do see in the section on Troubleshooting... to "Disconnect or remove anything that did not come with your computer" including removing any non-Apple RAM -- although this is recommended after an unsuccessful installation. Disconnecting the devices seems like an easy and prudent enough precaution.
I do wonder now about again doing an update on a volume in an external firewire drive. This did work for me twice before in upgrading from OS X 10.1.5 to 10.2.8 (which is markedly better than the former). I suppose I could try it again although this time in a Panther upgrade; if it fails I could upgrade in an internal drive.
Raymon

Testing speed of usb and firewire cables?

I have a bunch of usb and firewire cables that I would like to test somehow to determine if they are usb 1 or 2 and firewire 1 or 2. Some cables are labeled as high speed usb, some are not and some have no labels at all.
1. Is there a way to do this in Tiger?
2. For transfering data to an external drive, is Firewire 400 or usb 2 faster?
Thanks!

Hello kat.hayes,
Let's take your three questions in the same order:
Question #1: Technically, No, USB cables have the same termination ends. However, not all cables are made to the same standards and quality (shielding has a lot to do with how well they work/last). Quality cables are at a minimum double shielded but that does not stop mfg's from making claims about "high-speed". If there is a problem with the cable, you will know it in that the device connected will not work. Period.
The 2nd part of your question #1 regarding "bottleneck" is that if the USB2 port receives the slower USB protocol from a connected device, it will negotiate to the lower speed. Not a "bottleneck" exactly, as the external device you have connected will determine the speed. Not the USB cable.
I don't know why you are trying to figure out the speed of the USB cables.
It really comes down to what you want to do with your computer and what type of external device you need to connect. If you have a choice of which type of device to use, choose FW(See below #2 for a brief explaination).
Question #2: The issues and technical debate about which protocol is better(faster) really are meaningless as the final speed determinate is controlled by the chip/interperter that the manufacturer of your external device choose to use. If the device uses inferior chipset design, then no amount of "maximum rated transfer speed" for either FW or the USB-2 is going to make a bit of difference.
FW is usually faster. It comes down to the protocol used by the two designs. The one major diffence that benefits Firewire users is that it is isosynchronus. That means that if you have for example 3 devices, that all 3 would get 400mbps bandwidth to use, while USB2 is shared between devices. This is the ugly side of using USB2. If you a want an in depth technical explaination let me know.
Regarding your question #3:
Your Power Mac G5 has one FireWire 400 port on the front (rectangular shape with one pointed end), one FireWire 400 port on the back, a FireWire 800 port on the back(square,blocky shape), and four USB 2.0 ports—one on the front and three on the back. There are also two USB 1.1 ports on the keyboard. See this link:
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/PowerMacG5Late2005_TechBrief.pdf
If thats not clear, here is a card showing two FW800 ports (square) and one FW 400 port (rectangular w/pointed one end).
http://www.1394store.com/eshop/product.asp?dept%5Fid=42&pf%5Fid=1225
Technically, FW400 is refered to as 1394a and FW800 as 1394b.
So, plug any USB2 into the computer only. USB1 devices can be plugged into either the computer or the keyboard.
And FW400 & FW 800 into the correct, differently shaped recepticals.
If you let us know what you intend to do with your external devices and I'm sure there will be a number of excellent suggestions, hopefully based on personal experience, on which protocol would best fit your situation.
Hope this helps.
Respectfully,
Bill Gallagher

SCSI to USB or FireWire cable/adapter

i have an old LaCie 4GB external hard drive i'd like to get some files from, however, i need to find a solution to getting the 25-pin SCSI port adapted to either USB or FireWire so that i can use my G5 to extract the files.
anybody know of a reliable solution or product?

Start here to adapt the 25 pin scsi to 50 pin
http://www.mac-pro.com/s.nl/it.A/id.2331/.f?sc=2&category=127
And then this looks like the scsi to usb cable
http://www.usbgear.com/326605.html
Good luck!

Usb vs firewire cable trouble wont load ipod

The cable I rec'd w/my 5g 30 ipod worked only if I jiggled it and occasionally updated it. I purchased a "replacement", which would only charge it. Finally, I contacted support and recently rec'd a replacemnt for the 30/6pin cable...it's a firewire usb and I'm not literate enough (!?) to install this w/o it saying its not supported. If I have the plugs, why cant this replace the other one? I need help, since I have to send the "bad" usb back to Apple asap, and possible the "new" one as well? Did I get the wrong part? I just want to update again!!! If Apple doesn't do firewire usb on the 5th gens, why did they send it to me to replace the broken cable? Soooo confused!

I purchased a "replacement", which would only charge it. Finally, I contacted support and recently rec'd a replacemnt for the 30/6pin cable...it's a firewire usb and I'm not literate enough (!?) to install this w/o it saying its not supported.
You purchased the wrong cable.
The 5th Gen iPods do not support syncing via Firewire. You can only charge the iPod via a Firewire cable.
There is no such thing as a 'firewire usb cable', as you specify. Firewire and USB are two different things.
You need a USB-to-Dock Connector Cable. You don't want anything to do with Firewire at all.
If Apple doesn't do firewire usb on the 5th gens, why did they send it to me to replace the broken cable? Soooo confused!
Apple probably sent what you asked for. Since you mentioned Firewire... they sent you a Firewire cable. You shouldn't have said anything about Firewire.
This is the cable you need:
Apple iPod Dock Connector to USB 2.0

Possible to charge pb with usb or firewire cable through ipod charger?

hello,
i forgot to pack my pb charger for my trip. i do have my ipod charger. would it be possible to charge with that by using the firewire to firewire cable or firewire to usb cable? i haven't tried yet for fear of ruining something.
cheers.
powerbook g4 Mac OS X (10.4.1)

USB and Firewire - from the Powerbook is one way traffic - ie the PowerBook pumps power out. It doesn't need to take power from a peripheral such as an ipod so it's not set up to do so.
As for "borrrowing" a supply from Apple, you don't know unless you ask. If you're away from home for a month might it be worth getting someone from home to send it to you?
There are local Apple user groups in major cities, so you could page apple users in those cities to see if you can borrrow a power supply.
Or you might have to bite the bulllet and just buy another - either from Apple, ebay or even Criagslist. You might find a slightly cheaper 3rd part adapter somewhere.
Sorry can't help any more. Good luck.

20" Cinema display with USB and firewire ports not working

I have a new 20" display and was wondering why my USB and fire wire ports at the back are not working. I have an external drive that is powered hooked up to the fire wire port and a no powered piano keyboard to a usb port.
Any help please

Verify that the display’s USB and FireWire cables are firmly plugged in to the
computer. Do they show in your profiler?
Try different ports in the computer.
Verify that your computer ports are working with other known problem free device.

HT5219 How would I connect dual monitors and also a firewire cable? Macbook Pro (Retina)

Currently I am using two thunderbolt to DVI connectors for the dual monitors, but I am left without any firewire cable connection for my audio interface. THe only adaptor I found was another thunderbolt to firewire, but since I already used these two ports, I am left with no options. I haven't been able to find any usb to firewire cable connections.
Are there any other adapators/ports I can use that I am not aware of?

Something like this at US$300:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/HB865ZM/A/belkin-thunderbolt-express-dock?fnod e=58
Highlights
One cable output provides instant access to eight ports
Ability to daisy-chain up to five additional Thunderbolt devices
Includes Cable-management channel
One Gigabit Ethernet port
One FireWire 800 port
One Thunderbolt port
One 3.5 mm headphone output Jack
One 3.5 mm audio Input Jack
Three USB 3.0 ports*
[Click on this pictures to see it larger]

USB vs Firewire (Adaptor)

Howdy,
Does anyone know if the Firewire iPod charger charges the iPod faster than the USB charger? My instinct is no- they charge at the same rate, but I've always been lacking in the sciences.
Also, for those Firewire and USB 2 combo cables- can one plug in both the USB and Firewire cable to get an extra fast d/l to the iPod, or is it a one or the other situation?
Thanks in advance for any info.

My experience with the USB and Firewire iPod AC chargers is that they use more or less the same time to fully charge an iPod.
If you have an USB2/Firewire iPod cable, it is very important to note that you cannot plug both ends into the computer at the same time. Doing so may render your iPod unrecognizable and may have other unforseen problems as well. You can only connect one end.

Connecting via USB and FireWire at the same time...

Hey all,
I have a 3rd Generation iPod (with the play/pause, menu, next track and previous track buttons between the screen and the touch wheel), and I just bought a new Nano.
Obviously, I want to keep them both synced with my MBP, but there's a problem. The 3G will sync via the Dock-to-USB cable, but it will only charge and sync with Dock-to-FireWire. The Nano, on the other hand, doesn't support FireWire.
So, in order to sync/charge them both, I have to use a different cable for each.
Or, do I? Apple sells a Dock-to-USB-AND-FireWire cable (one Dock Connector with two wires coming out). I'd love to plug both the USB and FireWire connectors to the MBP and then just plug the Dock connector into one iPod and then into the other. But, in the documentation for the cable, it says not to connect both the FireWire and USB ends to the computer at the same time, or it might result in "unexpected behavior."
Does anybody out there have any experience using this cable with both ends connected at the same time? Does it work? Have you noticed any "unexpected behavior?"
I wanted to check before I go defying Apple's instructions.
Thanks,
Chip
MacBook Pro 2.0Ghz Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Bueller....?
Thanks,
Chip

Monitor turns off when connected to USB or Firewire port

I just purchased a used Mac Mini Core 2 Duo and have a 20" Apple flay display with USB & Firewire ports. When I connect either of the USB or Firewire cables from the display to the Mac Mini, the display goes off. Is this some kind of short? Or is there some setting that causes this?

Hi Vasant! You appear to be located in India. Please reach out to our colleagues at Sony India here for best assistance with your Sony Digital Voice recorder. Thanks!
If my post answers your question, please mark it as "Accept as Solution"

USB to FireWire converter cable, will it work?

There are a number of sellers on auction sites selling USB to FireWire (4-pin) converter cables. Will these work with iMovie in respect of connecting my Samsung MiniDV Digital (tape) camcorder? The seller claims they will, but I am skeptical based on what I've read on the internet - so I thought I'd ask the discussions for their advice/experience...?
FYI I'm using a 13 inch Alu MacBook prior to the inclusion of a FW port...

Despite Niel's great suggestion, the bottleneck is the USB connection into the Mac; even though it's possible to plug a FireWire adaptor into that USB/ExpressCard socket, the ultimate connection (..or combination..) has a USB specification.
USB delivers burst of high speed data, not continuous hi-speed data, which is what FireWire offers, and what miniDV camcorders send out. The camcorder won't be able to make proper contact with the Mac at the far end of the chain, so the computer won't "see" the camcorder, and nor will the camcorder be able to tell the computer "here I am, sending you a digital video-&-audio stream".
The connectors will all physically fit together ..just as you can physically pour paraffin (kerosene) into a car's petrol (gasoline) tank ..but that doesn't mean that the car will actually run with a tank full of kerosene ..or diesel fuel, for that matter.

Usb vs firewire cable

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