Usb to firewire

[Pob255]

I need some help with a problem.

In the school I work in we're starting a new course which includes video editing.
Some Mac book Pro's were ordered for this course to work with some existing Samsung DV cameras.
The Samsung cameras have firewire output only, however these new mac book pro's dont have fire wire.

Must admit I never realised that the new mac book Pro's didn't have firewire, although yet again kit was bought without consulting us (by us I mean us IT Support monkeys who are expected to make everything work. )

Some what we need is a USB to firewire conector/converter/dongle type thing that works with Mac's.

I've had a quick look about but I cannot find anything
Does anyone know what we need to get a mac laptop with USB only to connect to a firewire only camera?
And where can we get them?

Actually an adaptor that will allow USB to firewire that would work on both mac's and windows based PC's would be best.

[mycarsavw]

Belkin make a range of USB/FireWire hubs for Macs but their site appears to not to want to work for me so I can't give you any links

[Lowe]

Macbook Pros have Firewire 800. Get a 400>800 adapter, sorted.

[Pob255]

Macbook Pros have Firewire 800. Get a 400>800 adapter, sorted.

about 15min earlier before I decided to do what I should of done in the first place and look for myself.
One look at the side of the laptop and there it is.
Ahh what the heck have a Thanks

However My question still remains as they also have some 13inch mac books, and they definately don't have firewire ports

[mycarsavw]

Belkin make a range of USB/FireWire hubs for Macs but their site appears to not to want to work for me so I can't give you any links

However My question still remains as they also have some 13inch mac books, and they definately don't have firewire ports

Hubs

[Pob255]

Yep I did see your post mycarsavw
Only problem is belkin's site is still borked and the other hubs I've found so far are discontinued so I've not be able to find anyware that still sells them.

[mycarsavw]

They're still being sold - Amazon have some.

There's another 6 port firewire one but due to Belkin's site being borked I can't see whether it connects via USB or firewire

[Pob255]

I was looking at that before, the amazon link has answered one question,

That's not USB to firewire, it's twwo hubs, a USB and a Firewire hub in one box.
So no use to me looks like I'll have to wait for belkin to fix there site or phone them up

[Funkstar]

They're still being sold - Amazon have some.

There's another 6 port firewire one but due to Belkin's site being borked I can't see whether it connects via USB or firewire

Doesn't it connects via USB and Firewire?

This isn't an interface converter as far as I'm aware, though if someone can say for sure it is then I'll buy one myself.

It has a USB connection on the back, and a 4-port hub, along with a Firewire connection and a 2-port hub. Both are seperate, it won't make USB devices appear on the Firewire interface or vice versa. Just two hubs in one box really.

edit: ah, Pob beat me to it

[Funkstar]

Pob, this looks like what you need: http://www.usbfirewire.com/Parts/rr-300008044.html

[mycarsavw]

You're right, as is Pob - I fail

I found that interface link Funkstar has posted above, but the site looked "questionable"

[Lowe]

My only concern with the normal Macbooks with one of these adapters is will the capturing software 'see' the camera still. It's expecting to see a signal on the firewire bus, not the USB...

Your mileage may vary...

But yes, ditching FW was an idiotic thing to do if you ask me. All my audio interfaces at work are FW 400...

[Pob255]

Pob, this looks like what you need: http://www.usbfirewire.com/Parts/rr-300008044.html

That's the sort of thing however

It sounds great, but is it Mac compatible?
Unfortunately our cable is not Mac compatible. However, it is compatible only with Windows XP. This product is not Windows Vista compatible as of yet. We are currently trying to find a work-around for this.

So Win XP PC only not mac.
Useful for hooking up pc's, although a firewire pci card is easier
Also US company so ordering might be a bit of a pain.

Close but no bananas, I'm starting to think this is a hopeless quest

[Funkstar]

But yes, ditching FW was an idiotic thing to do if you ask me. All my audio interfaces at work are FW 400...

Especially when Macs are touted as being the creatives favourite system.

I guess Apple would argue that the 13" Macbook isn't for that market, but thats just being silly.

[aceuk]

The new unibody MacBooks don't come with FireWire because the latest HDV and AVCHD camcorders (and digital cameras that record video) all use USB. Firewire is pretty much dead these days for consumer camcorders.

[Funkstar]

For new, non-tape camcorders. Ignoring the millions of existing camcorders, both pro and consumer, already out there are being used.

But then Mac users will just suck it up and get on with it because the Messiah (Jobs) deems it so.