Thunderbolt to FireWire adapters

Disapointment is an understatement to this whole TB to FW situation. As a lifelong Apple supporter and pro user, I am extremely unhappy. Lets be clear to what is going on:

1. Apple released rMBP geared mostly to Pro users in it's max configuration (my case - 2.7GHz 16 GB RAM)

2. Decided to eliminate the main and in almost all cases only bus used for periferal devices - FW, in use since late ninghtees.

3. Released workaround - adopter bridging new and old bus technology - TB to FW.

4. Adapter is released after we all invested close to $ 4K in new rMBP and as always supported Apple, with blind fate. Trusting, things will work out since they promissed adapter is on the way, not a big deal...

5. Than to realise that adapter is in majority of cases useless since Apple decided to brake its own standard for FW, the very standard Apple owns??? 7 W max power was minimum by Apple's own standard for FW, that states 7 - 30 W min to max available power. Since all devices were developed under that standard, conclusion is that Apple threw us all under the bus by tricking us into investing to the new rMBP, that some of us cannot use at all in the fashion we did before.

With $ 50K invested in photo digital back, that is essentially rendered into useless brick, if used with rMBP for location photography, I am very disappointed.

sfbg77:

since you've already invested $50K into your digital back, i would recommend:

Sonnet Echo Expresscard TB-PCMCIA adapter ($140-150)

PCMCIA Firewire card ($40-75)

and a Thunderbolt cable (<>$50)

While it will no doubt hurt to drop more money into a stanky situation, based on my experience it should let you continue working. (If you can, buy from a vendor that allows low-hassle returns.) It will be a little more clunky than a built-in port, but all things considered the speed bump on your new Retina has got to count for something.

I don't know why on earth Apple couldn't design their dongle to support more than 7W while Sonnet could. I am able to bus power an original Duet (which is bus power ONLY) AND a Glyph FW PortaRAID with the above setup. You don't need the "Echo Pro" just the basic one.

http://www.sonnettech.com/product/echoexpresscard34thunderbolt.html

Dan,

Thank you for the advice. I recently ordered that and will see if it does the job. What I forsee with that set up is that there are too many interlinked pieces - TB from eMBP to Sonnet hub, than PCe card that I do not know how secure and tight fits into the hub, than FW from the card to camera... Each piece brings extra opportunity for loose connection, since for location shooting everything is in motion, assembled, dissasembled, moved, than again assembled... camera moves and than FW cable shakes, which pulls card... Sure, gaffers tape does miracles, but... Than, each piece brings its own software possibility of affecting the whole process. The last thing one would like to do is to troubleshoot camera wondering why is not seen by capture software in front of the client. Maybe I am too sensitive, but I spent too much time troubleshooting that in early digital days. After initial early problems, FW provided quite smooth and reliable connectivity... until now.

I believe my better bet is using previous 17" MBP just for that purpose with simple connection of one FW cable. Obviously that defets the purpose of upgrade with desire to pack lighter since new rMBP is much lighter and easier to carry.

I saw this from Maarvold for connecting a Digi Rack:

Here is the Digi 002 (Rack version) test setup:

Macbook Air 1.8 G Core i7 & 4 GB RAM; running Mountain Lion 10.8 & PT 9.0.6 ->

Apple Thunderbolt to Firewire 800 adaptor ->

12" FW800 cable ->

OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro [quad interface] mini 7200 rpm hard drive ->

10' FW800-to-400 cable (from drive's 2nd 800 port) to 1394 [Firewire 400] port on Digi 002

Pro Tools booted just fine. I was able to both play back and record on a pair of tracks. This whole setup should be so much faster, data-wise, that I would be surprised not to be able to use maximum possible track counts with the 002. However, this test is very preliminary. I will report back if I find additional problems or weirdness.

I have a similar problem. I saw the new iMac and will get one if they work with the Digi from Protools. I notice they make the Apple Thunderbolt to Firewire 800 adaptor, and there is also a Firewire 800 to 400 adapter to connect to Protools. Just hate having so many adapters in a line - it's asking for potential trouble with a loose connection. So for you, you connected your mac thunderbolt adapter to your 800 hard drive, and then ran from your hard drive with an 800 to 400 adapter to the Digi OO2. Wonder if that slows, etc. any data from the mac to the Digi and back? I'd prefer to do that, rather than have thunerbolt to 800 adapter then 800 adapter to 400 to connect to the Digi.

I haven't read this entire thread, however I may be able to add some input on this subject.. I am currently using a rMBP with a Digi002 Rack and a FW800 > TB adapter.. Obviously, the Digi002 has a FW400 out, so my exact set-up is Digi002 with a FW400 > FW800 cable plugged into my FW800 > TB adapter.. I've been able to run Pro-Tools smoothly using this set up.. I've had some pretty intensive sessions running (20-30 tracks, Reverbs all over the place, automation).. I've had no trouble thus far, and I think I can also rule out any latency with my computer, as it is a computing monster.. So, as far as the connection I've been fine.. I HAVE, however, had some issues while running PT sessions right out of an external hard drive, again, relatively intensive.. I've never had this issue, although I haven't done much of this, as my old Macbook had a massive HD inside it.. The problem I think you are worried about Dave is the connection speed, and ultimately you're working at 400MB/s with the Digi002 FW400 output.. I'd guess you're not losing much with the adapters, mainly due to the fact that 400MB/s is nothing compared to what they're built to handle, and 400MB/s is the max Digi though necessary, so I'm guessing at 300MB/s you'd still be good.. I think any issues with hang-ups would be the computer or external hard drive, the cable seems to suffice any demands i've thrown at it

Dave Ohio wrote:

Pro Tools booted just fine....

I'm surprised the setup managed to move. ML + PT on 4 measly GB?

Will the thunderbolt to firewire adapter work on windows 7 or 8? I'm planning on getting an asus g55vw-dh71 which has a thunderbolt port.