firewire cable question at DVinfo.net

Max Mishler · February 25th, 2003, 04:14 PM

Has anyone used the cheaper "no name" firewire cables being sold on eBay? I know that the connectors are flimsy by nature on these cables but I'm getting really sick of paying for the overinflated price of Monster cables. Seems to me, this is exactly what eBay is good for... cheap stuff... Sorry if this has already been talked about, I tried doing a search to no avail...

Max

Tustin Larson · February 25th, 2003, 05:06 PM

I recently purchased a 3' 4pin to 4pin IEEE1394 Firewire cable for .99 cents... It does the job just fine.

Tustin Larson

Don Palomaki · February 25th, 2003, 06:19 PM

Modest cost cables work fine for most purposes. Monster cables mainly provide status and bragging rights (in some circles) while deflating the billfold.

I've not bought cables on ebay - I found that ebay tends to be overpriced for many things.

Ken Tanaka · February 25th, 2003, 06:30 PM

Max,
Actually, this hasn't been discussed (in my memory).

I wasn't aware that Monster Cable had moved into the Firewire realm. While MC may have some faint bragging rights in the world of analog signal cables, they don't in the digital world. Don't waste your money paying them a marketing premium.

I also wouldn't bother with eBay for cables. Radio Shack, or other generic Firewire cables will generally do just fine.

Max Mishler · February 25th, 2003, 07:06 PM

Ken,

You're probably right as far as Monster goes. I recently bought an optical cable for my home theater and for some reason I had it in my mind that it was Monster. Thanks for the response, I'll go for a less expensive cable.

Max

Jeff Donald · February 25th, 2003, 10:18 PM

I've traced dropped frame issues to firewire cables. Be careful of the length of firewire 400 cables. I'm not sure that 6 foot is recommended without special cables. With generic cables the shorter the better would be my recommendation.

Ken Tanaka · February 25th, 2003, 10:28 PM

This article from the Apple site's knowledge-base, seems to confirm Jeff's remarks concerning cable length.

There are (much) longer cables available but they have some type of repeaters built-in to maintain signal integrity.

Don Palomaki · February 26th, 2003, 05:07 AM

Monster Cable is into S-VIDEO, composiite video, audio, fiber optic (Toslink and mini), data (with RCA connctors) , passive s-video -to-composite adapters, rf splitters, y-asdapters, surge protectors, speaker connectors, speaker cable, and IEEE1394 cables. All at a premium price. THe longest IEEE1394 cable I've seen listed from Monster is 4 meters.

Long cable relies on excellent cable with low losses, including retaining the pulse shape. 4.5m is the Firewire cable spec. Probably set at aconservative to allow for low cost cable, manufacturing tollerances, and minimally performing firewire gear.

MarkerTek offes IEEE 1394 cable lengths to 70 feet, w/o repeaters at 100 Mbps data rates.

Focus (Videonics) offered lengths to 50 meters. http://www.videonics.com/products/distancedv/'.
Elite Video is another retail outlet with longer cables (100')

George Brackett III · February 27th, 2003, 06:39 AM

I just ordered a generic cable from a place in Ohio. Cost 7$ + shipping. I'll let you know how it works....

Dan Holly · February 27th, 2003, 10:56 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Jeff Donald : I've traced dropped frame issues to firewire cables. Be careful of the length of firewire 400 cables. I'm not sure that 6 foot is recommended without special cables. With generic cables the shorter the better would be my recommendation. -->>>

Jeff/Ken,
Is this true across platforms (e.g. Win/Mac)?

The example Ken provided was in "Mac-lish". <;~)

Ken Tanaka · February 27th, 2003, 11:02 PM

Dan,
Regarding the cable length recommendation, the answer would be yes. I believe the guideline is based principally on the IEEE 1394 specifications which are platform-independent.

Ken Tanaka · February 27th, 2003, 11:13 PM

Don P.,
Yes, I've seen those very long Firewire cables in the Markertek catalog and wondered about them. There's a Distance DV (brand) that runs up to 50 meters. It's description reads:

Quote:

Distance DV is comprised of single IEEE-1394 compatible cable with a built in proprietary filter and equalizer that connects directly to DV devices. This special design reduces attenuation and noise common with long distance cable runs.

Hey, for a $600 piece of cable it better contain something "proprietary"!

Dan Holly · February 28th, 2003, 11:54 AM

<NT>

George Brackett III · March 1st, 2003, 06:39 AM

Just tried my $7 firewire cable. It actually looks heavier than the $30 one I got fron Circus City.....works great!

Max Mishler · March 1st, 2003, 09:43 AM

George,

That's good to hear. I ended up having to buy one of those 30.00 Circuit City ones yesterday as I had to have it immediately and they are the ONLY store in Myrtle Beach carrying firewire cables right now. I think I'll order a couple of the cheapies now so that I don't run into this predicament again...

Max

February 25th, 2003, 04:14 PM	#1
Max Mishler Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 53	firewire cable question Has anyone used the cheaper "no name" firewire cables being sold on eBay? I know that the connectors are flimsy by nature on these cables but I'm getting really sick of paying for the overinflated price of Monster cables. Seems to me, this is exactly what eBay is good for... cheap stuff... Sorry if this has already been talked about, I tried doing a search to no avail... Max

February 25th, 2003, 06:30 PM	#4
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Max, Actually, this hasn't been discussed (in my memory). I wasn't aware that Monster Cable had moved into the Firewire realm. While MC may have some faint bragging rights in the world of analog signal cables, they don't in the digital world. Don't waste your money paying them a marketing premium. I also wouldn't bother with eBay for cables. Radio Shack, or other generic Firewire cables will generally do just fine. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

February 25th, 2003, 10:18 PM	#6
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	I've traced dropped frame issues to firewire cables. Be careful of the length of firewire 400 cables. I'm not sure that 6 foot is recommended without special cables. With generic cables the shorter the better would be my recommendation. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

February 25th, 2003, 10:28 PM	#7
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	This article from the Apple site's knowledge-base, seems to confirm Jeff's remarks concerning cable length. There are (much) longer cables available but they have some type of repeaters built-in to maintain signal integrity. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

February 27th, 2003, 06:39 AM	#9
George Brackett III Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Waterville, NY USA Posts: 83	I just ordered a generic cable from a place in Ohio. Cost 7$ + shipping. I'll let you know how it works.... __________________ If the quality of mercy is not strained, then how do they get the lumps out?

February 25th, 2003, 05:06 PM	#2
Tustin Larson Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Palm Springs, CA Posts: 86	I recently purchased a 3' 4pin to 4pin IEEE1394 Firewire cable for .99 cents... It does the job just fine. Tustin Larson

February 25th, 2003, 06:19 PM	#3
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	Modest cost cables work fine for most purposes. Monster cables mainly provide status and bragging rights (in some circles) while deflating the billfold. I've not bought cables on ebay - I found that ebay tends to be overpriced for many things.

February 25th, 2003, 07:06 PM	#5
Max Mishler Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 53	Ken, You're probably right as far as Monster goes. I recently bought an optical cable for my home theater and for some reason I had it in my mind that it was Monster. Thanks for the response, I'll go for a less expensive cable. Max

February 26th, 2003, 05:07 AM	#8
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	Monster Cable is into S-VIDEO, composiite video, audio, fiber optic (Toslink and mini), data (with RCA connctors) , passive s-video -to-composite adapters, rf splitters, y-asdapters, surge protectors, speaker connectors, speaker cable, and IEEE1394 cables. All at a premium price. THe longest IEEE1394 cable I've seen listed from Monster is 4 meters. Long cable relies on excellent cable with low losses, including retaining the pulse shape. 4.5m is the Firewire cable spec. Probably set at aconservative to allow for low cost cable, manufacturing tollerances, and minimally performing firewire gear. MarkerTek offes IEEE 1394 cable lengths to 70 feet, w/o repeaters at 100 Mbps data rates. Focus (Videonics) offered lengths to 50 meters. http://www.videonics.com/products/distancedv/'. Elite Video is another retail outlet with longer cables (100')

February 27th, 2003, 10:56 PM	#10
Dan Holly Major Player Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 336	interesting......... <<<-- Originally posted by Jeff Donald : I've traced dropped frame issues to firewire cables. Be careful of the length of firewire 400 cables. I'm not sure that 6 foot is recommended without special cables. With generic cables the shorter the better would be my recommendation. -->>> Jeff/Ken, Is this true across platforms (e.g. Win/Mac)? The example Ken provided was in "Mac-lish". <;~) __________________ Dan Holly Anchorage, Alaska

February 27th, 2003, 11:02 PM	#11
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Dan, Regarding the cable length recommendation, the answer would be yes. I believe the guideline is based principally on the IEEE 1394 specifications which are platform-independent. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

February 28th, 2003, 11:54 AM	#13
Dan Holly Major Player Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 336	thanks for the onfo Ken <NT> __________________ Dan Holly Anchorage, Alaska

March 1st, 2003, 06:39 AM	#14
George Brackett III Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Waterville, NY USA Posts: 83	Just tried my $7 firewire cable. It actually looks heavier than the $30 one I got fron Circus City.....works great! __________________ If the quality of mercy is not strained, then how do they get the lumps out?

March 1st, 2003, 09:43 AM	#15
Max Mishler Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 53	George, That's good to hear. I ended up having to buy one of those 30.00 Circuit City ones yesterday as I had to have it immediately and they are the ONLY store in Myrtle Beach carrying firewire cables right now. I think I'll order a couple of the cheapies now so that I don't run into this predicament again... Max