Digi002 Rack via 400-to-800 cable

[cschreppel]

So I currently have my Intel iMac as my main recording system when I'm at home, however, I use my MacBook for mobile recording. Right now, as the MacBook only has one FW400 port and my external drive only has one FW400 port (but has two 800's), I've been running my firewire chain as follows:

MacBook --> Digi002 (via FW400) --> Hard Drive (via FW400)

Now, I've been wanting to experiment with using the hard drive before the 002 in the chain, to do this I would have to set up in one of the two ways:

MacBook --> HD (via FW400) --> Digi002 (via FW800-to-400 cable) -- or --

MacBook --> HD (via FW800-to-400 cable) --> Digi002 (via FW400)


Any other users have any experience with using the 6-to-9 pin FW400-to-800 cable with the Digi002. I've never had any problems running hard drives with it, but I've never thrown the 002 into the mix.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

[OddsAre]

bad idea, spend the $50 for a Firewire hub. Save yourself the potential headaches. You really shouldn't daisy chain the hard drive off the 002 either. Just buy a hub.

[GTBannah]

I read somewhere that you are safe with the Hard Drive between the lap top and the DIGI 002.

[Earl D]

What brand hub would you recommend?

Thanks,
Earl

[A2D D2A]

bad idea, spend the $50 for a Firewire hub. Save yourself the potential headaches. You really shouldn't daisy chain the hard drive off the 002 either. Just buy a hub.

Better recommendation would be buy a better HD case or get a new hard drive that has dual 400.
A hub needs to be powered so that's just more carryon for a mobile setup.

[cschreppel]

Well, I was thinking that since the drive would be interfacing with the laptop via the 800-to-400 cable (which I have setup now) isn't that big of a deal. The 002 would then run off the drive's FW400 port.

I've run the system with no problems with MacBook -> 002 (via 400) -> HD (via 400) since the drive has a 400 port. Obviously, this isn't the best option if the 002 loses power. I'll do some tests when I get home next weekend, but thanks for the suggestions.

[tombi]

Hi cschreppel!

I'm thinking of using my Macbook (only one FW400 port) as a mobile rig just as you. I'm also thinking of using a FW drive with one 400 port and two 800 ports. I know it works as you describes it with the drive last in the chain but I would like to do it the Digi-approved way with the 002R last.

Please post your results with the testing. It would be greatly appreciated.

/T

[smfelton]

I'm currently running.

iMac=>fw800=>LaCie=>fw400=>Digi 002R

And use the same with the Macbook Pro.

I'll keep you posted if I have any issues.

[tombi]

Hi Shane!

Thanks for your info! Just to be sure. On the iMac (with a 2.66-processor) are you using the FW800 port out to the LaCie or the FW400 port?

/T

[The Dougfather]

It looks to me which ever way you do this your bringing the firewire bus down to 400mbps. If you use the conversion cable then thats bringing the bus down to 400 as is putting the 002 first in the chain because it's a FW400 device.

I don't see what you are hoping to gain from this, your more likely cause problems?

Your original setup was spot on.