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General discussion

Firewire 800 - will it be better for video downloading?

Apr 27, 2007 7:50PM PDT

I have just ordered a MacBook Pro 17" and notice that it has a Firewire 800 connexion. I have a Panasonic GS 400 Camcorder and have been downloading by a Firewire 400 . Will the 800 give me (a) Faster downloading? (b) BETTER downloading results? {I know, of course that I will have to buy the appropriate cable. Will it be "worth it ?}

Discussion is locked

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In this case, no.
Apr 27, 2007 11:05PM PDT

I don't see Firewire 800 support on this camcorder.

Bob

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The camera is the bottleneck
Apr 27, 2007 11:33PM PDT

as it is limited to FireWire 400. There aren't many FireWire800 devices out yet... a few hard drives...

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Firewire 800-better for video downloading?
Apr 28, 2007 4:18AM PDT

As usual, thanks to you both for succinct replies.
I might have guessed it would not be simple ! (I had thought it was the apparatus being downloaded TO that was the governing factor).

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The purpose behind Firewire 800
Apr 28, 2007 12:19PM PDT

Firewire 800 won't be of much benefit for standard DV (and maybe even HDV) camcorders, because the video isn't often large enough or the storage (on either end) fast enough to break the limits of Firewire 400. You usually see Firewire 800 on very fast external hard drives (ones in RAID arrays) or in professional HD cameras.

That said, if you find yourself ever running out of Firewire ports, there are adapters which will let you connect Firewire 400 devices on the 800 port.

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Firewire 800 better for Video?
Apr 28, 2007 5:17PM PDT

Thanks, Electronista. Do I take it that, although I would derive no benefit from using the 800 on the MacBook Pro for my video, I COULD use it (with the approriate cable, of course) as a 400?

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Firewire 800 to Firewire 400 adapter
Apr 28, 2007 11:51PM PDT

Sonnet Technologies make one for $14.95 and have it in stock

Part number is FAD 824 and you can see it if you search their online store.

It has a Male 800 connector on one end and a Female 400 connector on the other.

Of course, the connection speed will be at the 400 rate.

Hope this helps


P

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FW 800 Hard Drive
May 4, 2007 10:43AM PDT

Hello: I have a PowerBook with a FireWire 800 port. I use it to connect an external hard drive. You may want to add an external drive in order to back up your videos. Using the fastest possible connection for the external drive may gain you some speed. Hard drives with FireWire 800 connections are readily available.