Guide to Firewire Cables

Kinds of Firewire Cables include the following:

6-pin to 6-pin FireWire cables

• Six-pin to 6-pin FireWire cables are used for connecting to a FireWire bus for drawing power.
• They consist of a 6-pin connector on both ends.
• FireWire computer peripherals like CD-RWs and hard drives use these types of Firewire cables to connect to computers.

• Six-pin to 4-pin Firewire cables are also used for connecting to a FireWire bus but do not extract power from it.
• They consist of a 4-pin connector on one end and a 6-pin connector on the other.
• They are used for connecting self-powered electronic devices like digital video cameras.

• Nine-pin to 6-pin Firewire cables are used for connecting to a FireWire bus for on-bus power.
• They consist of a 9-pin connector on one end and a 6-pin connector on the other.
• They normally come in FireWire 800 models that transmit up to twice the speed of standard FireWire 400 devices.

• Retractable FireWire cables have unique retracting systems that prevent them from knotting up.
• They usually come in 6-pin to 6-pin cable types for use with camcorders, digicams, and other self-powered devices.

Cable length: Choose a standard-length FireWire cable between two and 15 feet for home and office use. If you need to extend it longer than 15 feet, consider using a hub or a repeater for every 32 feet of FireWire cable. This is ideal if you want to use it for fiber optic systems.

Compatibility: Before buying a FireWire cable, make sure your electronic device has a FireWire port. If your electronic device is self-powered like a camera or a camcorder, look for a 6-pin to 4-pin FireWire cable that does not extract power from the FireWire bus but uses your device’s existing power source.  

Portability: For portability, choose a retractable FireWire cable. Its cable is flattened for easy withdrawal inside a small built-in container found in the middle of the cable.  This type of FireWire cable prevents it from tangling and allows you to store it in your pocket or bag.

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