Last Mac Pro with Firewire 400?

direwolf8 wrote:

Should we still support the CN slot cards, or just the obsolete hardware that YOU want to use?

Well, there are tons of FW 400 devices still being in use, still being sold, I hardly would call that 'obsolete' .

If your work depends on flawless integration of current FW gear like video cameras or digital camera backs, for which you paid 20-100+ k, it's your new computer that begins to look 'obsolete' if it doesn't meet the requirements.

I know there are workarounds for FW400, but I'd still expect the computer manufacturer to provide a native solution in the pro segment.

And don't get me started on the Mini Display port ...

If Apple refuses to continue to give you what you need whether it be firewire 400 ports or matte screens, or refuses to give you what you needed yesterday like complete Blu-ray support and authoring capability, then buy used Apples from private parties until they do.

Works for me. I heartily recommend it. Express your discontent with your wallet. I guarantee they will get the message.

thanon wrote:
I take it you have quite some experience with different FW400 devices connected to FW800 ports, in particular the port powered variety ?

Sure do. Most of my devices are FW800 but I have a couple 400 devices so one goes in with the 400 cable and one goes in with the 800->400 cable at the same time. They both have power.

I prefer the premade cables not the rather large clunky 800 to 400 adapter as it is overly large and does not stay put nearly as well as a cable.

And Apple still provides Firewire 400. They just changed the connector. It IS a native solution, just like 9 pin serial was a replacement for 25 pin serial. When uarts started supporting 115,200 baud on a 9 pin connector, you could still use your 300 baud modem with 25 pin connector. You just needed the right cable. It was fully backwards compatible.

If you have found compatibility issues with some of your FW400 devices, then you should complain to the manufacturer.

I bought a Rohs cable 400 - 800 cable from OWC which was all they had in stock yesterday. My MacPro doesn't recognize/mount either of the two hard drives I am trying to access: a MaxtorOne Touch 4 Plus and a Mercury Elite Pro. Have tried every port and restarting computer. System profiler says Warning: unable to list FIREWIRE devices. Do you think this is just a bad cable?

(the Mercury actually has firewire 800 - but unfortunately I must get into the Maxtor asap)

Message was edited by: pentimento