I hope I am asking this question in the right forum, if I am not, please forgive me.

Now to the question: how long is too long to run a FireWire cable from a camera (Canon XL1) to a computer? I am trying to record video from the camera straight to the hard disk as a backup while recording to tape. I have 4.5 meter cable...but I would like to get a longer cable to run from the camera to the laptop computer out on location. Is 75 feet too long? Will the signal become weaker with the longer cable? Will I have any drop frames?

As you can tell I have worries and/or reservations about the use of a longer cable. Does anyone have any experience regarding this issue?

Cheers, Jon

It really depends on the quality of the cable. A high quality cable isn't good for much more than 25 ft, however. If you want to reach out further than that, you need a firewire repeater(powered hub).

Edit: actually, the spec limit is 10 meters. Look for quality firewire cable(shielded) at www.unibrain.com

Thats a good question. the only answer i'd give you in tape something...then put it out through that firewire cord and see what you get...what came to my mind as soon as i read the post was, "If they made it that long, i'd hope the would make the quallity of the cord of such that it wouldnt take from the video capturing process or 'quallity' ".

See: http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=63079

Thanks for the great information. YOU guys are always quick with the answers. It is awesome to be apart of this group!

I have never recorded straight to the hard drive and the reason why I am asking is that I shot near an MRI medical machine last week and the video turned out to be black...nothing on the tape. I have to redo the shoot and I want to make sure I don't have any problems this time.

Thanks again for the help!!

Cheers, Jon