Firewire Cable Review

FireWire cables have been around for a few years now, going back to the mid- to late-1980s, when Apple started developing this input/output (I/O) technology. FireWire was certified in 1995, and Apple began releasing this fast transfer technology in its high-end PowerMacs. The company later added FireWire to its consumer model computers in the late 1990s, while Sony began releasing computers with its version of FireWire, called iLink. Today, FireWire ports are common on most desktop and laptop computers.

FireWire’s first major debut was the FireWire 400 standard, which gave a constant and fast signal throughput of 400Mbps (Megabits per second). This technology was also called IEEE-1394a. FireWire 400 came with two distinct male connectors – a larger, 6-pin connector for computers and a smaller, 4-pin connector for output ports on many tape-based digital video and HD camcorders. Both professional and enthusiast video editors were early adopters of FireWire and used FireWire 400 6-pin to 4-pin cables to capture video from their cameras to edit, because of the fast data transfer with Firewire cable.

Today, FireWire 800 is the more common version of the technology. It is also called IEEE-1394b. The best FireWire 800 cable can reach and maintain constant speeds of 800Mbps, which is twice the speed of FireWire 400. In addition to connecting cameras, FireWire cables also connect computers to external hard drives, disc burners and players, cable boxes and more. Our top-three FireWire 800 cable selections include the Cables To Go FireWire 800 cable, the Tripp Lite FireWire 800 cable and the SIIG FireWire 800 cable. Also, be sure to visit our learning center for more articles about FireWire.

FireWire Cables: What to Look For

The FireWire cable you choose should come with good connector features. It should be durable enough for daily use and shielded against sources of signal interference. The company should have a good selection of FireWire cables in various lengths and cable types, and strong help and support options that include a warranty and return policy if the FireWire cable doesn’t work.

The best Firewire 800 cable comparisons and reviews should meet the following criteria:

Features
FireWire cables usually have 9-pin connectors that help them reach data-transfer speeds of 800Mbps, and are known as FireWire 800. Some of the connectors are gold plated, which stops any potential corrosion. FireWire 800 cables should be shielded for daily use and protected from wear and tear, yet flexible enough to wrap up for travel or organization. In addition, the coating should protect the cable against any potential interference, from sources that emit radio frequency (RF) or electromagnetic (EM) signals, both of which can limit or stop the signal flow through the FireWire cable.

Options
We looked for manufacturers that offer a variety of FireWire cable lengths, such 3 feet, 6 feet and so on. We also looked for companies that sell several different types of FireWire cables and accessories, including FireWire 400, among others. FireWire 400's connectors come in two different sizes: the larger 6-pin, which is commonly found on computers and other devices, and the smaller 4-pin, found mostly on tape-based cameras. We also looked for merchants that sell FireWire adaptors and cardbuses for computers.

Help & Support
Although in most cases help and support options from FireWire cable manufacturers are limited, look for companies that include a warranty for replacement or repair if the FireWire cable doesn’t work. The best FireWire cable retailers feature documentation on their websites, along with contact information for the company such as email, live chat and phone.

Summary

FireWire cables and I/O ports are an excellent and fast way to transfer large amounts of data or files from your computer to an external hard drive for backup purposes. The technology is also ideal for both professional and consumer video editors who store their video clips on an external drive, or who need capture from a video camera with a FireWire port. FireWire is a great connectivity technology that is faster and more constant than USB 2.0 is. It is well worth considering as a connectivity solution for your computer and external devices.

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