• Registered: 2011-09-24
  • Posts: 4

Topic: Does FF400 work with USB?

I need to start using FF400 on another computer that has plenty of USB ports but only one FW800 port, which I need for an external HD. 
Will the FF400 work with a USB adapter?

  • Knut
  • Knut
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  • Registered: 2007-04-06
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Re: Does FF400 work with USB?

No. There is no USB to FireWire adapter on the market. But it's no problem to daisy chain both devices.

best regards
Knut

  • Registered: 2011-09-24
  • Posts: 4

Re: Does FF400 work with USB?

Daisy chain?
Do you mean use a hub that has both fw400 and fw 800 ports?

  • Knut
  • Knut
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Re: Does FF400 work with USB?

You see the 2nd FW400 port on the back? Plug the HD in. The chain falls down to 400 speed but works.

best regards
Knut

  • Registered: 2011-09-24
  • Posts: 4

Re: Does FF400 work with USB?

Thank you, but I would prefer the HD to still be running at a higher speed than this chain provides.

The chain also works if I run the FF400 through the HD. (I have a miniStack v3 external HD, lots of ports!)

The HD runs via FW800, so what would the reduced speed be with the FF400 attached?

Does this way affect audio quality?

  • Knut
  • Knut
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Re: Does FF400 work with USB?

The HD runs via FW800, so what would the reduced speed be with the FF400 attached?

The complete 800 chain with a 400 device between will use 400 speed. See FireWire specs.

Does this way affect audio quality?

No. Audio quality has nothing to do with it.

best regards
Knut

  • Registered: 2007-05-09
  • Posts: 23

Re: Does FF400 work with USB?

Admin Knut wrote:

The HD runs via FW800, so what would the reduced speed be with the FF400 attached?

The complete 800 chain with a 400 device will use 400 speed. See FireWire specs.

Maybe I misread your reply, Knut, but according to this technical note from another well-known manufacturer. the HD800 maintains its 800 speed when intermediate in the chain?:

http://www.mhsecure.com/technotes/TechN … N_0010.php

  • Knut
  • Knut
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Re: Does FF400 work with USB?

Yes. If your 800 device provides an advanced hub with a 400 bus the first connection can use a FireWire 800 data transfer. But keep in mind that the Fireface 400 audio data have to travel across the first connection - reducing the full 800 bandwidth for the HD.

best regards
Knut

  • Registered: 2011-09-24
  • Posts: 4

Re: Does FF400 work with USB?

thanks:)