How many pins on the Firewire 400 port, 4 or 6?

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Level 1

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How many pins on the Firewire 400 port, 4 or 6?

Hello, new Mac user here. I'm trying to hook up my Sony handycam to my new Macbook Pro and I'm told I need to get an I-Link cable. I'm also told they come in 4 pin to 4 pin or 4 pin to 6 pin. Does anyone know whether the Macbook Pro has a 4 pin or 6 pin Firewire 400 port? Thanks!

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.1)

Posted on Dec 27, 2007 5:40 AM

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Answer 1

JoeyR

Level 6

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Dec 27, 2007 5:50 AM in response to Afjags

All Macs use the six pin version. The 4 pin version is what most PC notebooks use (it's a tiny square plug). The six pin version looks like a stretched out "D". The primary difference being that the six pin plug provides power. If you have a Firewire device that can be powered from the port, only the six pin plugs will provide it. 4 pin Firewire ports do not provide power.

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