Long Firewire length OK for 002?

[guitar131]

Hi- I'm putting my computer in another room and was wondering how long I can go with the firewire connection between the 002 and the computer before any problems with communication would arise. I'm also going with 35' VGA, PS/2 mouse and Keyboard cables. Thanks for the help! Matt

[tele_player]

Firewire spec says 4.5 meters max. Exceed at your own risk...

[Calvin]

You can get firewire extenders, however most of them use optical cables which have a tendency to break, and they usually cost around 700. How much is it worth to you to put it that far away?

[hanzoid]

Actually I found a new firewire spec'd cable that allows for longer runs and I use 30' no problem. Can't remember the maximumlenght nor the vendor. But I do recollect searching for firewire cable on Google, try that. BTW My cable was around $60.00 but it also included a 32' VGA and keyboard extender cable.

[tele_player]

It may work, but it exceeds the spec.

A valid, though impractical, way to extend the length while remaining in spec, is to put a repeater, such as another FW drive, between two 4.5m cables. The spec also defines how far that can be taken, though I don't recall the detail.

Actually I found a new firewire spec'd cable that allows for longer runs and I use 30' no problem.

[guitar131]

"It may work, but it exceeds the spec"

This doesn't make sense...if it works, then the spec is wrong, or should be changed. I am looking forward to getting my computer out of the room. Even though it is very quiet, it can still be picked up when you crank the gain on the mic pre. Thanks for the replys and I'll be searching for that cable...

[tele_player]

No, that's not how specs work.
Firewire, like other communications protocols, is pretty tricky in a bunch of ways - far more complex than it appears. In order to guaranteee a specific level of performance in a wide range of conditions, the designers of the standard specify things like cable length, type, power, lots of stuff, in addition to the actual communication protocols used.

Anyway, you can exceed the specified length, but the results aren't guaranteed. And just because your system seems to work doesn't mean it's working correctly. Might work for you, might not work for somebody else. Might work for one drive, not another.

I'm sure you can find a long cable with Firewire connectors. And it might work fine for you.

"It may work, but it exceeds the spec"

This doesn't make sense...if it works, then the spec is wrong, or should be changed. I am looking forward to getting my computer out of the room. Even though it is very quiet, it can still be picked up when you crank the gain on the mic pre. Thanks for the replys and I'll be searching for that cable...

[hanzoid]

OK folks, here's a link to http://www.firewirestuff.com/cables1.html for 1394b and 1394a 10 meter (33') certified cables. I have one and it works flawlessly. Not bad for $35.00.

[tele_player]

Very interesting, I'd only seen 1394a specs which state the 4.5m limit. Now trying to find support for the 10m limit (it wouldn't be the first time a cable company claimed compliance) Unfortunately, IEEE specs aren't usually found for free on the Internet.

...
OK, found several cable companies which claim, through improved construction details, to be safe at 10m. The spec
(IEE1394a) is still 4.5m

[hanzoid]

I guess it boils down to individual real world empirical experience then. Mine has been positive without a glitch for well over 6 months. Here at home and at many a location recording session. My suggestion is that you simply try it out for yourself. As far as gear goes $35.00 isn't a lot to lose and I expect one can return the cable if it doesn't work. And if it does work well hell, your an outlaw, a renegade, a fugitive from the law of physics and just another lucky S.O.B. flouting another industry spec..