Extending Firewire cable via FWx for a broadcast sweet - Running into problems

[brenttrf]

OK, here is what is happening.

We are attempting to build a broadcast suite. For tracking and live broadcast audio feed. This system is working great for us. Signal path is and SC48 via FWx to our LE Pro Tools rig. We archive and mix live on the Pro Tools rig at the same time.

So, here is my problem. We need to move that Pro Tools rig 100' away into a broadcast room for better isolation. We have done this, but i cannot get the SC48 and the Pro Tools rig to see each other.

We are using Kramer TP-300FW units for send and receive to extend the Firewire run over Cat5. We have multiple Kramer systems in place. One for Video. One for a Digital Audio Feed from a video computer and one system for our Pro Tools Rig. All are working, except the Pro Tools rig. I cannot get the Pro Tools rig to see the SC48.

SO... Am I missing something here? Is there some sort of data flow down the FWx firewire send that is not being sent over Cat5? This Kramer system Supports all Firewire provisions and it is serial bus standard. So I am confused.

Any help would be great!

We are running a Mac G5 PPC with OS 10.5.8 and Pro Tools 8.0.1

[Kenmillerjr]

Have you tested the interlinking cat5 cable with a cable tester?

Try sending it down another one of your Kramer systems if possible; or simply switch out the units.

[brenttrf]

Ya. Like I said. We have 3 Kramer systems. All work. All other components work. Everything interchanges and works. Pro tools doesn't.

That's why I am wondering if there is some data passed from the FWx car that can't transmit over cat5???

[brenttrf]

Im really hoping there is someone from Avid that can answer this for me.

It has to be a compatibility issues. I need to know what other components I would need to make this work. If these Kramer units are not going to work.

Ive talked to kramer, they have no answers. They believe there is a compatibility issue somewhere.

[Kenmillerjr]

Yeah, I have no idea what could be causing that, I've never used a Kramer product before.

[brenttrf]

Well, at this point is is a Pro Tools issue. The Kramer units are working perfectly with all other sources.

Still waiting for an Avid rep to jump in.

Hoping I can get a recommendation for this!!!

[Craig F]

welcome to the hell of cat5 extenders
fiber units usually work better but in this case it's probably a timing issue

[Chris Johnson]

Brenttrf,

A few things to note here:
1. the TP-300FW requires STP cable. most cat5 cable is UTP. are you using STP cable and suitable STP RJ45 connectors.
2. the TP-300FW only supports data transfer rates of 100Mbs. This is most likely too slow (a quarter of the FW400 spec, and most likely too low for the digidesign protocol).
3. the TP-300FW is NOT compatible with certain specialist implementations of IEEE 1394. the Avid protocol may be in this omitted list (if its based on something like i.link). for full compatibility, you need one of these: http://www.kramerelectronics.co.uk/p...pid=478&sf=282

Cheers

[albee1952]

Personally, I would either move the LE rig to be near the SC48, or......move the LE rig to be near the SC48

[brenttrf]

Originally Posted by Chris Johnson

Brenttrf,

A few things to note here:
1. the TP-300FW requires STP cable. most cat5 cable is UTP. are you using STP cable and suitable STP RJ45 connectors.
2. the TP-300FW only supports data transfer rates of 100Mbs. This is most likely too slow (a quarter of the FW400 spec, and most likely too low for the digidesign protocol).
3. the TP-300FW is NOT compatible with certain specialist implementations of IEEE 1394. the Avid protocol may be in this omitted list (if its based on something like i.link). for full compatibility, you need one of these: http://www.kramerelectronics.co.uk/p...pid=478&sf=282

Cheers

Thanks Chris.

To be clear. If I purchase the FW400 box it will work?
And, the FW400 is an 800 box. Does the adaptation from 800 to 400 to access the SC48 make a difference? I assume using an 800 to 400 adapter would be fine?