A8Js Firewire Port

I'm a big proponent of research and understanding prior to acquisition. I really wish I had practiced what I preach when it comes to firewire.

When I purchased my A8Js, I knew it came with a firewire port. I've never had the need for a firewire port before. I'm not into video editing and don't have a need for external firewire hard drives. I vaguely knew that there was a 1394a and 1394b standard but undrstood them to be backwards compatable.

So, I needed/wanted a much faster way to get many gigs for RAW files off of my CF cards so I decided to pruchase a Sandisk Extreme firewire CF reader to attach to the firewire port on my notebook so I could quickly download.

The first problem comes with the issue of cables that came with the reader. It come with a 9 pin and a 6 pin. THe laptop has a 4 pin. So I went off (breaking my religous belief in research) to purchase a 9 pin (reader) to 4 pin (notebook) cable. Just by accident, while seeking to purchase this cable I cam across the pinouts and notice that 9 and 6 pin connectors offer a power pair in the cable while the 4 pin does not. My keen observation skills noted that the reader had no external power, thus i deduced the the idea of using the notebook 1394 connector was a no go.

Next stop was to pay way to much for next day shipping (I'm really running out of time) to get a Siig Firewire 800 expresscard to use. THis seemed like the perfect solution until I installed it and plugged in the reader and it didn't work. Just before I was going to throw everything out the window, I noticed a paragraph in the installlation manual (who looks at an installation manual for installing something so simple?) that said you need an optional power adapter for the expresscard if the device you attach is unpowered.

SO now I'm waiting for the power adapter that I just ordered from the Siig online store because they are the only place that has them.

I wish that I had never heard of firewire! Why can't it be as simple as USB?

 

yeah.. i agree with ya, I wish there would be only one universal firewire port.
I have the A8JS too and soon I'm going to be using it with firewire audio interface for recording music. The interface needs firewire800 (6 pin) but the one on the notebook is only firewire400 (4 pin).. Its the same issue with you, the NB's firewire port is under powered and needs an external power adapter.

 

it is made for camera docking, not for external storage.

I do get a faster speed from my firewire than usb2 but its non powered.

I dont think any notebook has powered firewire.