Firewire Y cable?

[Goi]

Hi,

I'm wondering if there exists Firewire cables that go from 9pin to either 9pin or 6pin. This provides compatibility with both Macs with the 9pin FW800 connector, and PCs with the 6pin FW400 connector.

Is there such a thing? Or would 2 separate cables(9->9 and 9->6) be needed?

Thanks.

 

[corkyg]

9 pin carries power - 6 pin is data only. That would not lend itself to a "Y". The best way to use multiple devices off of one 1394 mobo plug is to run a cable from it to a Firewire hub. Sample:

hub

There are adapters to go from 400 to 800:

Adapt

 

[Goi]

Doh, doesn't 6pin carry power as well? Are you confusing it with the 4pin mini connector? Wikipedia seems to agree.

I know there are 9pin to 6 pin cables, as well as 9pin to 9pin cables. I'm just wondering if there's a combo cable out there that combines both. I guess there isn't.

 

[corkyg]

I'm sorry - yes 6 and 4 are 1394a. 9 is 1394b only.

The only combo item I find are adapters for the connectors.

Firewire behavior is very much like SCSI - which is where it derives from.