Using usb devices on the firewire port?

bimmerpc · 08-18-2006, 07:59 AM

Is this possible
There are many cheap usb->firewire and vice versa out there on sale. Does this mean that if I experience to much load on my usb bus I can just use one of these plugs and !bang! my external dvd became firewire instead of usb?

If so, is there any devices that cannot be converted?

v8 scimitar · 08-18-2006, 08:15 AM

can you link to one of these items? I didn't think it was possible because they are completely different standards. While I can find many mullty function cards I.E they have both USB and Firewire on the same card, I cant find any adapters that will convert one to the other.

Siezmik · 08-18-2006, 09:02 AM

bimmerpc · 08-18-2006, 11:11 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by v8 scimitar

can you link to one of these items? I didn't think it was possible because they are completely different standards. While I can find many mullty function cards I.E they have both USB and Firewire on the same card, I cant find any adapters that will convert one to the other.

Uh....
I was not talking about making pcmcia cards swap standard but just make the external devices use their oposite port.

Do a search for "usb travel kit" on ebay and You WILL find... not too hard..

Anyway, if this is possible I dont understand the discussion about overloaded usb bandwith..
the combo usb+firewire pcmcia cards are VERY cheap, I got one for like 15$

My usb devices makes my computer hang quite often, that´s why I got curious to use both standards... Just that I cant find a firewire bluetooth hub for example.. or anything else than external hard drives and like ONE sound card.... seems like the firewire world have to DO someting cuz there ain´t much to purchase around here..

v8 scimitar · 08-18-2006, 01:43 PM

I am not talking about making a card swap either I am talking about making a USB device work in a Firewire port. I searched as you said and nothing I can see will let you do this so I don't know where you got the idea from.
OK back to basics, you asked I belive, can you get an adapter to make a USB hard drive work in a firewire port. My answer is no you cant.

bimmerpc · 08-18-2006, 02:43 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by v8 scimitar

I am not talking about making a card swap either I am talking about making a USB device work in a Firewire port. I searched as you said and nothing I can see will let you do this so I don't know where you got the idea from.
OK back to basics, you asked I belive, can you get an adapter to make a USB hard drive work in a firewire port. My answer is no you cant.

Ok I see...
And what does this package allow me to do?
http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-to-IEEE-1394...ayphotohosting

v8 scimitar · 08-18-2006, 04:00 PM

umm loose you money???
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-fi...sb-adapter.htm

2k1Toaster · 08-18-2006, 04:32 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by bimmerpc

Ok I see...
And what does this package allow me to do?
http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-to-IEEE-1394...ayphotohosting

It will adapt the plug from USB to Firewire. Firewire and USB are completely different standards. They both pretty much have the same transfer rates (except for 1394b, which is twice as fast) but operate fundamentally differently. USB requires a host (like a computer) to communicate between devices. Meaning that you can't connect two cameras together and expect them to share info. Firewire on the other hand is a peer-to-peer hardwire device. You can take 2 firewire devices and make em work.

Basically, you can use that kit to convert the cables, and then back again. Like Cat5 cable is cheap. You can get a bunch of that, and use that kit to convert USB --> CAT5 --> USB, or 1394 --> USB --> 1394. Nothing else. But keep in mind that USB and Firewire signals cannot travel that far before become unusable.

The reason that firewire hasn't been used very often is because of Apple. They invented it. They charge a royalty of $0.25USD for every port on every end user's piece of equipment. Also the cost to make that funny port is much higher than the rectangular USB port. That is why they are not as common.

bimmerpc · 08-19-2006, 06:58 AM

And if I adapt the plug from usb to firewire or vice versa - does it just make a single cable to be different standard but not a device to be connected to the opposite standard? I mean.. what is the use of this:

[USB HDD]===usbcable====[PLUG]===fwirecable]====[PLUG]==usbcable===>computer

by the way there are usb repeaters on ebay for cheap.. maybe they are useless too?

v8 scimitar · 08-19-2006, 07:19 AM

It means if your travelling with both usb and firewire kit you only need to carry one set of cables. In my opinion it isn't worth having the kit.
No USB repeaters are worth having. If you go much beyond 3 meters/9ft on a USB cable you can run into signal problems. A repeater can let you go longer without problems. A lot of 5 meter cables come with them built in as standard.