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    eSATA to Firewire?

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by bubzers, Dec 26, 2010.

  1. bubzers

    bubzers Notebook Evangelist

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    I have a miniDV camcorder with firewire for video transfer to PC. My laptop does not have a Firewire port. I have an eSATA/USB combo port. Is there any way to make this work? I've seen a hub that attaches to a USB or Firewire port to use an external drive w/ an eSATA connection, but not vice versa. Does such a device exist?
     
    bubzers, Dec 26, 2010
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  2. metril

    metril Notebook Deity

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    You cannot convert from firewire to any other connection. This is because of how the communication is handled.

    USB/eSATA is usually connected to either the North Bridge or South Bridge on a motherboard. This takes care of everything except for actual processing of data. Firewire works a different way. Firewire is not handled by the North Bridge or South Bridge. It is handled by a separate onboard chip that only handles the firewire protocol and communication between the port and processor. Furthermore, firewire get's first dibs on processor time, which is why a lot of video equipment have firewire out.
     
    metril, Dec 27, 2010
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  3. michael_recycled

    michael_recycled Notebook Deity

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    Hi,

    eSata is directly connected to the storage controller of the chipset, so no converter eSata-to-something-else does not exist.

    Best option would be to install an Express Card Firewire controller. If there is no Express Card slot, you may consider an USB-Firewire "converter", but don't expect performance and reliability.

    Michael
     
    michael_recycled, Dec 27, 2010
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