Firewire Cable Question

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Level 1

26 points

Firewire Cable Question

I have a 15" MacBook Pro late 2011 version and am having trouble finding a firewire cable that works. The camcorder I'm trying to connect is a Sony Handycam DCR-HC48.

To connect the camcorder to the computer I have to use a Sony Handycam Station Dock and the DV output is IEEE1394, 4-pin connector S100. The Macbook Pro has a firewire 800 port.

I have no issue with the 4-pin connector but the connection to my Mac is confusing me. Below is a photo of the ports. I ordered the Belkin 800/400 connector and it seemed loose in the firewire 800 port. Thinking it was the wrong one, I ordered an Elago Firewire 400/800 adapter for Mac. Same thing and the both have the same style tip. Today I ordered the Citi 1394b firewire 800 9-pin/4-pin, hoping that will work.

My question is, looking at both firewire cables, they both are considered 9-pin but how do they differ? The one on the left doesn't work.

Thanks.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Nov 28, 2012 5:29 PM

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Answer 1

sig

Level 8

35,862 points

Nov 28, 2012 5:38 PM in response to NDS36

When you googled for it what did you find?

I found this:

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&sku=a14746 54

Is it what you need?

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Answer 2

NDS36 Author

Level 1

26 points

Nov 28, 2012 6:29 PM in response to sig

Thanks but that's the same 9 pin as the Belkin firewire I purchased and the adapter as well. My question is, what is the difference between the two 9 pin firewire cables I showed above? I have the one on the right and it fits very snugly into the 800 port but it doesn't a 4 pin for my camcorder. Hopefully the new CiTi firewire cable will do the trick. The tip is like the image on the right.

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Answer 3

Nov 28, 2012 6:52 PM in response to NDS36

There's no functional difference. The pins of Firewire 800 connections join to the host around the middle section - you'll see 9 long pins around the edge. The 9 holes on the front edge of the middle section are present on some FW cables, and they simply expose the 9 pins. There are no host connectors which use or require these exposed pins, as far as I'm aware.

Matt

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Answer 4

NDS36 Author

Level 1

26 points

Nov 28, 2012 8:42 PM in response to Matt Clifton

Matt, I can't understand why my Mac isn't recognizing the connection. I have the correct settings on my camcorder and I get a message that there is no USB connection. I'll let you know if the next cable will work.

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