• pas99
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  • Registered: 2011-04-06
  • Posts: 4

Topic: Firewire chipset selection

Hello,
I understand that this question is not new, however I was not able to search for exact answer for it in this forum. I appreciate that RME gyus will reply ASAP.

I'm setting up new DAW using desktop PC for my FF800 and shortly coming FF-UFX and found out that new motherboards come with either VIA VT6308P FW400 chipset or J-micron JMB381 FW400 chipset. Alternatively, I was able to find only external PCI FW400 controller with either NECD72874 or Via 6306/6307 FW400 chipsets. I was not able to find PCIe FW800 controller with TI chipset.

Pls advise whether motherboards and external FW chipsets are OK for FF800/FFUFX. If not, pls advise the manufacturer and p/n of comatible PCIe FF800 controller.

Many thanks,
Pavel

  • Registered: 2010-10-13
  • Posts: 2

Re: Firewire chipset selection

I'm also interested. Does anybody have the Asus Sabertooth P67 ? I'm planning to buy it but I really dunno if VT6308P would work with FF400

RME FF400 GA-EP35-DS4 E8400@3.6
Windows 64 & 6Gb DDR2
Nuendo 4.3
  • Registered: 2007-11-05
  • Posts: 67

Re: Firewire chipset selection

Hello,

I have just bought a 15€ Lacie Firewire 400 PCI card for my new computer (Sandy Bridge platform). It works for the Fireface 400 and it has a Texas Instruments chipset. Lacie also makes a FW800+400+USB2 card, I guess it is Texas too. It was extremly difficult to find a Texas FW card in France, as Firewire is progressively disappearing.
I had tried a Lycom PE-101 PCI express card before, but there was a compatilibity problem somewhere and the Fireface 400 did not work. If someone wants to try it, I can sell it, but I would not recommend it for Sandy Bridge / Gigabyte P67A-UD3 / Fireface 400 setups. Lycom also makes a Firewire 400+800 version of this card, still with Texas chipset.

VIA and Alcatel-Lucent Firewire chipset are not recommended, like are most of their other products anyway.

I personally do not like Firewire at all, but when I got the Fireface 400 (a very good device) all professional external audio interfaces were Firewire. Many thanks to RME for making USB 2 interfaces today!

Best,
-j

4 Reply by alexoosthoek (edited by alexoosthoek 2011-06-03 08:12:19)

  • Registered: 2008-12-03
  • Posts: 182

Re: Firewire chipset selection

You don't really need FW800, 400 will work.HERE is where I bought a PCI FW400 card with TI.


Don't buy a combo.

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Various ADK computers :-)