How long can a Firewire cable be?

[Michelle]

I'm about to get a Datavideo DAC-100. I thought Firewire cables were restricted to 15 feet. I was going to get a couple Firewire repeaters. But I've seen some vendors selling cables much longer than 15 feet. So I'm confused about whether I need the repeaters or if I can just get a long cable.

[SLK001]

According to the standard, the maximum cable length between devices is 15 feet.

[SLK001]

But that is for maintaining signal integrity at full FireWire speeds (~400Mbps). You will be transfering data at a much slower rate. I haven't done it, but I suspect that you wouldn't have any problems (cables are cheap compared to repeaters). Just get the length that you want and experiment.

How long do you need?

[BJ_M]

these cables work out to 32 feet at least at full speed with no problems at all
http://www.granitedigital.com/catalog/pg18_firewirecables.htm

[Michelle]

But that is for maintaining signal integrity at full FireWire speeds (~400Mbps). You will be transfering data at a much slower rate.

That's a good point about the speed. The long cables I've seen specifically mention that they are for DV use, which would not be full speed. As you say, cable are less expensive than repeaters, which is why I want to go that route if I can.

Thanks for the feedback.

[chazzie]

Just because the maximum given length is 15 ft, doesn't mean it's the definate length. It will probably work at 20 ft no problem, or even 30 ft. Would also depend on the quality and shielding of the cable.

Chazzie

[rkr1958]

Send all ICBMs to coordinates below:
26° 14' 7.62"N
80° 16' 0.78"W

Fort Lauderdale, FL? Why?

[txpharoah]

It can be almost any length, but the shorter the better. You have delays/loss otherwise. Not recommended on DVD burners or other data-stream-sensitive usage.

[txpharoah]

Send all ICBMs to coordinates below:
26° 14' 7.62"N
80° 16' 0.78"W

Fort Lauderdale, FL? Why?

In this age, that's not even funny.

[BJ_M]

as i said above -- i am using one of the 32 foot fire wire cables .. it is attached to a raid box ...

the cables i posted above work perfectly well at32 feet -- but i cant speak of others ..

they also are more money with heavy construction and filters built in

[Bondiablo]

This place has pretty good prices on cables, has them in lengths up to 20 meters (66') and claims "secure safe operation of our Firewire cable lengths up to 10 meters (33')".

http://www.unibrain.com/1394_products/cables/cables.htm