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On Location, Firewire, and Distance

Sep 5, 2010 7:47 PM

OK,   I realize that Firewire is the way to connect the cameras to the CS4 computer, and my camera only provides firewire output.  I understand firewire has a limit of 9 feet.  Does anybody have a solution for using On Location with multiple cameras that are both a hundred feet or so away from the computer, when both the computer and the camera are firewire?

500 Views   1 Reply   Latest reply: Basilio Alferow, Sep 7, 2010 6:08 AM
 
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  • Basilio Alferow
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    1. Basilio Alferow,
    Sep 7, 2010 6:08 AM   in reply to agapenet
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    The standard FW distance limit is 14.5 feet, not 9.  Also, there are cables of this length available with active repeaters (they do need the 6-pin FW connector for powering the repeater).  I've successfully cascaded as many as 3 of these cables (see http://sewelldirect.com/firewireextension.asp).  Of course the head end must be able to provide the aggregate power needs of all the repeaters.  I've had no need to determine what those needs are so I can't comment on that.

     

    Having said that, the cable limit is meant to preserve the full FW bandwith of 400Mbps.  Since the camera video (with audio) bandwith requirements are much more modest, only in the 25Mbps range, it follows that extending the cable length is certainly possible without detrimental effects.  There are cables available in 60 foot (and up) lengths, these are 4 pin to 4 pin configurations and I have in my OL kit bag both 75' and 125' lengths that I've used successfully for multicamera setups such as you appear to need.

     

    For a variety of long FW cables go to http://www.fullcompass.com/product/243858.html

     

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