How do I know if my firewire has 4 or 6 pins so I don't need a PS

[CCEncoder]

I'm insterested in the ADVC110 that says it can operate without powersupply if you have 6pin firewire, how do I know this? also will the advc100 operate without PS if I have 6 or 8pin firewire? will I need to use the PS with the advc110 if I only have 4pin firewire?

Also what about the academic version of ADVC 110 is it a less capable version? or is just the same product promoted different?

[redwudz]

Computers almost always have 6 pin FW connectors. They are about the size of a regular flat USB connector.

The ADVC-100 will only operate from a external power supply. I believe the 110 can use the 6 pin FW or an external supply. If you didn't have 6 pin FW, yes, you would need a PS.

I don't know about the academic version, maybe has a student discount. Since there is usually no software with the units, I doubt if the package is much different than the regular one.

[JohnnyMalaria]

Computers almost always have 6 pin FW connectors. They are about the size of a regular flat USB connector.

That's true for most desktops/towers etc. Laptops with built-in FW tend to be 4-pin. External interfaces for laptops can be one or the other or - in some cases - both!

Just wanted to clarify since OP didn't specify laptop or not.

Photographs of what the 4-pin and 6-pin cable connectors look like here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B000165AS0/ref=dp_image_text_0/104-2356297-308...&s=electronics

(Left is a 6-pin connector, right is 4-pin)

[redwudz]

Thanks, JohnnyMalaria, good point. I use a PCMCIA FW card in my laptop and it does have both types. I hadn't really paid any attention to other laptops. Laptop manufacturers probably don't really want the laptop to power external devices because of drawing the battery down too fast.

I have a FW 2.5 inch hard drive that won't run from the PCMCIA FW card without using a PS, but is fine with a desktop. Just needs a little more power than the PCMCIA card wants to output.

[edDV]

academic version is the same, you just have to prove academic status.

B&H has better prices than academic
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=search&Q=&ci=10899