What Firewire Cable to buy?

Hi alex,
Way cool! Boring? Nope, just really cool to be looking at Switzerland sitting in the comfort of a draggy Chicago Summer.
But anyway, nice job in setting it up and sharing it here on discussions. Maybe EZ Jim, the ringleader of this iSight circus, (ok, EZ, that doesn't associate you officially w/Apple) can add it to the list of "things to do on a Mac w/iSight.

Enjoy,
Bill Gallagher

Hey, Bill,

... can add it to the list of "things to do on a Mac w/iSight.

Lots in the Some Applications you can use with iSight FAQ

In addition to EvoCam, Yahoo! Messenger and QuickTime Broadcaster offer webcam broadcast capability of various capabilities and complexity.

my passive proposal
http://www.usbfirewire.com/fcable66.html

my active proposal
http://www.lindy.com/uk/productfolder/03/32/32908/index.php

Hello Fabio De Riccardis,

And Welcome to Apple Discussions!

Could you flesh your proposals out a little bit more? We'd all like to see details of what you have done with these two cables; perhaps add your Mac data, etc.

I've already seen one failed report on the lindy.com cable, so if your having success, let us know!

Respectfully,
Bill Gallagher

Hi Bill,
thank you for welcoming me.
I went the active way, as we have a Lindy supplier handy.

my active proposal
http://www.lindy.com/uk/productfolder/03/32/32908/index.php

We succeeded, but the system (2 iSights, 1 DV camera) was unstable (most system start-up yes, some no) and not really reproducible (good on G4s, bad on 2xG5).
Moreover, after few hours, one of the two active Firewire extenders started to crackle, and we had to abort this solution.

my passive proposal
http://www.usbfirewire.com/fcable66.html

I did not try this way. It was just an idea for the original question: how to extend the reach of an iSight without renouncing the original stand.

Cheers,
- Fabio

Hello Again Fabio,

"I* went the active way, as we have a Lindy supplier handy.. http://www.lindy.com/uk/product folder/03/32/32908/index.php"
I understand this to say that you connected the lindy.com cable to your Mac (please say what Mac) and the other end to your iSight?
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Now I get confused...
"We succeeded, but the system (2 iSights, 1 DV camera) was unstable..."
Why did you have two(2) iSights and a DV camera as a "system"?
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"..after few hours, one of the two active Firewire extenders started to crackle.."
How many extenders did you have in this system? Please, more specific information! And was the cable actually crackling as in electricity?

The official 1394 FW specifications designate voltage from 8 - 30 Volts @+/- 10percent. I've checked Apple's specifications and measured the two "powered" leads in the 6-wire ports on most of the current Mac, coming in nearly exactly at 25V. This is important that a cable vendor build to handle that voltage.

Be aware that some manufacturer's cables (and hubs) are labeled as adhering to 1394 standards(technically true), but may not be compatible with the Mac and may be damaged or cause system problems; If unsure, the supplier's support should be able to confirm that their product will comply with 1394 and work with Apple products and tell you exactly what voltage their products are capable of running the twin power-leads at.

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I'm not going to address the other system if thats ok with you for the time being.
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So, I can only tell you what worked for me. If you find another way, please let us know.

Take your iSight Apple mount and Apple FW cord that came w/your iSight, plug it into the Belkin hub (see below model, although I've also had success with others. Then plug the suggested 10-meter FW cable into the hub. The other end of the 10meter, into your Mac FW port. Done.

I don't know of any "extension" FW cables that will allow you to extend the Apple iSight cable w/out the hub. In fact I discussed just such a cord w/Belkin Engineering and they do not have and have not considered such a cable.

I personally use a Belkin F5U526-WHT 6 port hub(powered possible, but not necessary) and a 1394 Store 10m cable which can be found here:
http://www.1394store.com/eshop/product.asp?dept%5Fid=62&pf%5Fid=0814C%2D10
Hope this helps.

Respectfully,
Bill Gallagher

I understand this to say that you connected the lindy.com cable to your Mac (please say what Mac) and the other end to your iSight?
How many extenders did you have in this system?
Was the cable actually crackling as in electricity?

iSignt 1 -> Apple FireWire cable 1 -> Lindy FireWire Extension Cable 1 -> FireWire Repeater Hub
iSignt 2 -> Apple FireWire cable 2 -> Lindy FireWire Extension Cable 2 -> FireWire Repeater Hub
FireWire Repeater Hub -> iMac G4 flat panel 1GHz
FireWire Repeater Hub -> PowerMac G5 2x2.5 GHz

At least one of the two Lindy FireWire Extension Cable was actually crackling as in electricity!
That is why we renounced to the original iSight stand and modified the setting as follows

iSignt 1 -> 5m FireWire Cable 1 -> FireWire Repeater Hub
iSignt 2 -> 5m FireWire Cable 2 -> FireWire Repeater Hub
FireWire Repeater Hub -> iMac G4 flat panel 1GHz
FireWire Repeater Hub -> PowerMac G5 2x2.5 GHz

Ciao,
- Fabio