Firewire connector 400 or 800?

The iMac you have should have two different Firewire port 800 and 400.

The Square looking Firewire port is for 800 using a 9-pin connector or port.

The round Firewire connector that you are familiar with is 400 and uses a 6-pin connector or port.

You can purchase 6-pin (400) to 9-pin (800) cables to adapt the two type together. Hope this helps.

or you can get this cable http://store.apple.com/us/product/TP320LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA3Ng&mco=MTA5MjUxNjk

this adapter is 800 to 4-pin. http://store.apple.com/us/product/TU942LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA3Ng&mco=MTA4NDQ3ODk this is the cable is usually used on camcorders.

<The iMac you have should have two different Firewire port 800 and 400.>

I do not appear to have two - I only have the square 800 port. My problem is that I have devices that only use the 400 - how am I supposed to do so if there is no 400 port?

I apologize that you only have one firewire port that is 800, As mentioned in my post you can purchase a cable that is 6-pin to 9-pin which adapt 800 to 400 or 400 to 800 which ever way you want to look at it.

You can also do as the other posters mentioned and purchase the 800 to 400 adapter.

Thank you, everyone for all the info on where to get adapters, etc. Solved my problem finally! I'm jazzed, though still a bit ticked off that Apple gave us a computer that doesn't have a port for something basic like a Firewire cable. But LOTS of USB ports, which I thought were getting to be the slower, old-fashioned way of doing things. Oh well. Thanks again all.

I think 99% of Firewire users on the iMac lament the inclusion of a second FW800 or FW400 port on the new machines. But one FW800 port is still workable with the right cable, daisy-chaining drives, or changes in work flow when you really want to use a FW400 only device.

The Nitro sounds very good for those who love using FW800 devices, except for their inference you can draw power from the [computer's] Firewire bus; sure, you can for one device maybe! Of course you want to always use this device with its own power supply providing the power to your devices, and the devices (drives, camcorders, etc.) you plug into it should also be providing their own power when available. Thanks for the tip on this product as there are very few FW800 hubs out there compared to a plethora of FW400 hubs.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/TW748LL/A

firewire adapter. this adapter will let you plug a 400 firewire cable into the firewire 800 port.

Hey Sherm

In comparison check out these prices... 😉

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/FIR1369AD/

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/1394B96036/

Dennis

It appears that Apple is attempting to fade out Firewire...

Hi,
I too was seeking a solution to this problem and found this device - which may be what you need also?

http://www.nitroav.com/product/113/