Confused about Firewire cables? Let us help you choose the right cable. Firewire Cables, also known as IEEE 1394 cables are used to transfer data between your computer and firewire enabled devices such as digital camcorders, digital cameras and other high end audio video equipment. Firewire cables allow connection from an IEEE 1394 port (port on your computer) to the DV Out or i.Link port of a digital camcorder or other AV equipment allowing you to connect to download photos or other data.

There are 2 main standards of firewire cables. Firewire 400 (1394a) a and Firewire 800 (1394b). Firewire 400 cables allow transfer rates of up to 400Mpbs and have a maximum length of around 4.5 metres. The Firewire 800 cable on the other hand allow data transfer rates of up to 800Mbps and cables lengths of up to 100 metres!

There are currently 3 types of Firewire cable connectors;

4 Pin Firewire Cables

The 4 pin firewire connector does not carry power. This connector falls into the Firewire 400 (1394a) category. It is mostly used to connect compact devices. It is the smallest of all the firewire cables. This type of connection is usually found on laptops, camcorders, digital cameras and compact devices. If you have a laptop, it may come with a 4 pin IEEE 1394a port.

6 Pin Firewire Cables

The 6 Pin Firewire connector has 2 pins to carry power. It also falls into the Firewire 400 (IEEE 1394a) category. It is usually found on computers and bigger devices.

9 Pin Firewire Cables

The 9 pin Firewire connector can carry power. The 9 pin Firewire 800 (IEEE 1394b) connector boasts a throughput of 800Mbps for faster transfer of data over long lengths.

You may have noticed, the 4 pin firewire cables do not carry power. They are used on camcorders, phones, cameras and compact laptops and rely on the power from the device. Although 6 pin firewire cables work at the same speed, they include an extra 2 pins to carry “power” from your computer to the device. Firewire 800 cables are however backward compatible with the firewire 400 standards and adapters exist to “convert” pin configurations. Cables are available as “adapters”, such as 4 pin to 9 pin Firewire cables.

As always, with cables that transfer any kind of data, we would recommend that you always invest in quality cables to
achieve the best data integrity and top transfer rates capable. When choosing the correct firewire cable, it is important to know the connectors on your computer and on your camcorder or AV device.

Firewire Ports commonly found on a Computer

Usually on a desktop computer, you will have a 6-pin FireWire port labelled “IEEE 1394″. If you want to connect your computer to your camcorder which has a 4-pin firewire port, you will need a 4 pin to 6 pin Firewire cable.

Firewire Ports commonly found on a Laptop

On a laptop, you will usually find a 4-pin FireWire port labelled “IEEE 1394″. If you want to connect your laptop to your camcorder which has a 4-pin firewire port, you will need a 4 pin to 6 pin Firewire cable.

What if you computer or laptop doesnt have a FireWire port?

If you do not to have a firewire port on your computer, you can always purchase a Firewire PCI or Firewire PCI Express (PCIe) Card. A Firewire card can be added to your computer to provide high speed IEEE 1394a and IEEE 1394b connections. Adding firewire to a laptop which is not equiped with a firewire port requires a PCMCIA firewire card.

Check out the Firewire Cables range at Techdna.co.uk to find cheap high quality firewire cables.

(C) March 2010, Jason Mills, Techdna.co.uk