Firewire support for 5th gen 30gb video ipod

Question

Level 1

8 points

Firewire support for 5th gen 30gb video ipod

Is there a way to connect the ipod 30gb video 5th gen to my firewire. If not, why is there no support. That much space on an ipod, why no support for firewire

Self Made, Windows XP

Posted on Oct 27, 2006 8:50 PM

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Answer 1

KoDor

Level 4

3,250 points

Oct 27, 2006 9:10 PM in response to thumpr278

I know of no way to connect the video ipod via firewire.. why? who knows maybe apple figures its old and out dated?

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Answer 2

Oct 31, 2006 11:59 AM in response to thumpr278

Firewire support was discontinued with the 4th generation model.
Apple just decided There's more USB than firewire out there and dropped the ball.

And after reading, Firewire is much faster than USB for long movies from your video camcorder. But for short quickie movies and four minute songs, the advantage is less clear.

Dell XPS Windows XP iPOD Photo 20GB, 4th gen

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Answer 3

Oct 31, 2006 12:37 PM in response to katwomansz

Not exactly.
The 4th Gen iPods still support firewire.

For "full-sized" iPods, Firewire was discontinued starting with the 5th Gen iPod. Firewire has been omitted from all current iPods including the Nano and Shuffle.

Apple has never publically stated the reason for abandoning firewire as a transfer method, but there have been many unofficial reasons stated in this forum. It is likely that several factors were considered in the decision to omit firewire, and not just because "there's more USB than Firewire out there".

In my opinion, Apple did not drop the ball with this decision. I, too, wish that firewire was still an option, however it's something that everyone will need to get used to.

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Answer 4

PT

Level 7

20,894 points

Oct 31, 2006 12:46 PM in response to Rich Fleming

"however it's something that everyone will need to get used to"

You mean like all the people with perfectly working Macs that were manufactured without USB2 ports and that can not be added? It wasn't all that long ago when many of the Mac line did not have USB2 ports and many of those computers are still in use and USB2 ports can not be easily added to them like many of the laptops. Getting used to using USB2 is fine, if you have it. Hard to get used to downloaded to an iPod at USB1.1 speeds.
Patrick

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Answer 5

Oct 31, 2006 12:52 PM in response to PT

You mean like all the people with perfectly working Macs that were manufactured without USB2 ports and that can not be added?

Yes, that's who I am referring to. Firewire is not likely to return in the iPod, so users without USB 2.0 will simply need to get used to it. What other choice is there?

Of course, they could always upgrade to a newer Mac also 😉

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Answer 6

PT

Level 7

20,894 points

Oct 31, 2006 1:02 PM in response to Rich Fleming

I suppose one choice may be to not buy another iPod again and go to another music player.
It is frustrating to many Apple users when Apple developed and touted FW as better than USB and for years refused to add USB2 ports to many of their machines sticking with the FW and USB1.1 combo of ports. Then they came out with FW800, so clearly promoting that standard with upgrades. The very first iPods were FW only as well. Apple was clearly indicating to their customers that FW was the better standard and they would always be sticking with FW and come along for the ride. Only after deciding to create a Windows version of iTunes did they also add USB2 support to the iPods. Fine, but it also still supported FW as most users expected from the company championing the standard.
Then one day, after NOT giving us USB2 ports on most models, Apple then does a switch and completely abandons FW on the iPod line. Fortunately I waited long enough before upgrading my old CRT iMac to my eMac that I finally upgraded with the first model that USB2 ports were added, so I do get to sync via USB2. But I know there are many long time Mac users where this sudden switch might come across as a "screw you" to those who have bought and used Mac for a long time and might have been under the impression that as long as their machine has FW, they would have high speed access to Apple products. Well, turns out they were wrong.
Patrick

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