Firewire length - is 10M (33 ft) OK?

[Rich Perry]

I am wondering if anyone is using 10M (6 pin) cables with the HD200 and On-location or perhaps the longest length firewire cable that folks are using? - Is a repeater needed at this length? I am using a safe adapter that takes the power away at the camera end so is a repeater even viable to use?

I know max specs seem to be 5.5M for appropriate length,
Just curious as to what other folks are doing....

[Marc Colemont]

I have a 20m cable wich works in DV mode, but not HDV. Probably as the datarate is faster.

[Sareesh Sudhakaran]

if you go over maximum length and you're using the cable in 'stressful' conditions like heat/cold/humidity/dust/random movement, the ability of the wire to transfer data will decrease, and it pretty much works like an electrical wire...the longer it is, the lesser the voltage at the opposite end.

It doesn't matter how much power your supply to it at one end, you run the risk of losing data on critical shoots. Since you're connected to a laptop with On-location, I'm assuming you are not very mobile, and the conditions in which you shoot are pretty much 'normal' (otherwise your laptop will conk out first!).

Use a high quality firewire cable and connectors, and you should be fine. Also, use a lot of shielders along the way. The greatest disadvantage of firewire is that it comes off so easily from the socket, and JVC's firewire socket is not covered under warranty nor is it very robust.

[Rich Perry]

Thanks for the information Sareesh, yes this is pretty much my thoughts, I think I will stick with the 14.5 ft lengh cable for now,, I don't want any unexpected trouble while on a shoot.