Can I use a 9 pin FireWire cable for my intel iMac which calls for a 6 pin?

Exactly which iMac do you have and what are you tring to connect to it?

Because some iMac's have 2 400 ports, some have 1 400 & 1 800 port and some only have 1 800 port.

If you want a cable to connect a 4 pin video camera/camcorder to a FireWire 400 port, then you will need one like > NewerTech 1394A4636 FireWire 400 1394A 6 Pin to 4... in stock at OWC

If you want a cable to connect a 4 pin video camera/camcorder to a FireWire 800 port, then you will need one like > NewerTech 1394B94036 FireWire 800/400 1394B/A 9 Pin... in stock at OWC

Dennis

OK good, but you have only answered half the question.. once again, what exactly are you tring to connect to the iMac's FireWire port, an External HD, a Camcorder, etc.. what....?

If your tring to connect a FireWire 400 device with an existing 400 cable, then you can use a > NewerTech FIR1369AD 9-pin (FW800) to 6-pin (FW400)... in stock at OWC

Or if it is a 4 pin video camera/camcorder, then you will want the second one above > NewerTech 1394B94036 FireWire 800/400 1394B/A 9 Pin... in stock at OWC

If you already have a 9-pin to 4-pin firewire cable, go ahead and use it. You don't need a 6-pin adapter, which would not fit either your iMac's FW800 port nor your camcorders' 4-pin port. What manual are you looking at? The camcorder manual? If so, it's out of date relative to your iMac.

All FireWire is backward compatible. FW800 uses a 9-pin connector. FW400 uses a 6-pin connector. DV camcorders use a 4-pin connector. The 9-pin to 4-pin cable makes the necessary connection of the correct wires from the camcorder to your iMac FW800 port.