FireWire cables are available at many electronics stores and may be called IEEE 1394 cables. Cables come in many lengths. Popular lengths are 0.7 meters (m) (2 ft.), 2 m (6.5 ft.), and 4.5 m (15 ft.).
IMPORTANT: Avoid using cables longer than 4.5 m. Your computer and the FireWire device may not perform reliably with longer cables.
There are two types of FireWire connectors, 4-pin and 6-pin. Cables with 6-pin connectors carry power and data from one device to another. Four-pin cables carry data only and are typically used with self-powered camcorders.
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| 4-pin FireWire connector | 6-pin FireWire connector | |
The computer's FireWire port only accepts 6-pin connectors. You can use the following types of cables:
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6-pin to 6-pin connector cables
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4-pin to 6-pin connector cables
WARNING: Before connecting a 4-pin connector to a FireWire port on a device, align the connector and port carefully. Do not force a connector into a port. Make sure you use the right connector with the right port.
Tip: Some FireWire cables use latching connectors you must pinch when unplugging the connector. If a latching connector does not fit into a port, replace that cable with one that doesn't have a latching connector.
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