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Firebox with new MacBook Pro

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 9:52 am
by MichaelB
Hi, I recently bought a new MacBook Pro and found that my existing FireWire cable doesn't fit into the FireWire port.

I assume the cable is 6 pin and the port is 9 pin.

I thought about just buying a new 9 pin cable and then wondered if it's that simple. The Firebox FireWire specs are 400mbps while the new MacBook has a 800 port (up to 800 Mbps).

I'm now wondering if the Firebox will even work with the new Mac or if I'll need to purchase a new box (like the AudioBox), seeing that the Firebox is now discontinued.

Thanks for any advice!

Re: Firebox with new MacBook Pro

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 10:01 am
by Beauvais
Uhm, dude, it might help to have a closer look at your computer.. ;-)

The new Macbooks don't have Firewire anymore at all, what you'll need is a Thunderbolt to Firewire adapter.

Re: Firebox with new MacBook Pro

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 10:27 am
by MichaelB
Actually, they do. Maybe you're thinking of the MacBook Air or the MacBook Retina but the MacBook Pro has a FireWire 800 port.

I've got the computer and I know what the port looks like. And here are the Apple specs:

https://www.apple.com/ca/mac/compare/notebooks.html

Re: Firebox with new MacBook Pro

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 10:48 am
by overcoat
if it were me I think i'd try the cable first and see how the firebox performs. I had the firebox for years and liked it a lot compared to the audiobox that i only had for a couple weeks before returning it. That's just me though.... i'll always try the cheapest solution first.

Re: Firebox with new MacBook Pro

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 10:55 am
by Beauvais
My bad, sorry.

Still, it took me about 10 seconds to go to Wikipedia and look it up:

"IEEE 1394b-2002[28] introduced FireWire 800 (Apple's name for the 9-conductor "S800 bilingual" version of the IEEE 1394b standard). This specification and corresponding products allow a transfer rate of 786.432 Mbit/s full-duplex via a new encoding scheme termed beta mode. It is backwards compatible with the slower rates and 6-conductor alpha connectors of FireWire 400. However, while the IEEE 1394a and IEEE 1394b standards are compatible, FireWire 800's connector, referred to as a beta connector, is different from FireWire 400's alpha connectors, making legacy cables incompatible. A bilingual cable allows the connection of older devices to the newer port. In 2003, Apple was the first to introduce commercial products with the new connector."

Re: Firebox with new MacBook Pro

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 11:13 am
by MichaelB
Beauvais wroteMy bad, sorry.

Still, it took me about 10 seconds to go to Wikipedia and look it up:


Thanks for providing the Wiki answer. I suppose I could have gone to Wikipedia myself but sometimes asking the advice of a specialized community results in info I wouldn't have known to ask about. It's helpful to hear what others have done and experienced.

I've learned a lot just from browsing this forum which is why I asked my question. But thanks.

Re: Firebox with new MacBook Pro

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 11:34 am
by -Luis-
You need a cable like this http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FIW-96-110
I use the same cable with my SL 16 console.

Re: Firebox with new MacBook Pro

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 11:34 am
by Beauvais
Sure, sorry if I came across as rude. I just tend to research problems for ages by myself when I perhaps just should have asked.. :)

btw, since you'll need a new cable, you might as well go for a thunderbolt to firewire adapter, which would arguably be more future proof.

Re: Firebox with new MacBook Pro

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 11:44 am
by MichaelB
Thanks guys,

It's good to know I have some cable options. I might look into the Thunderbolt/FireWire adapter as it does seem as if FireWire is being phased out.

At least I now know that I don't (yet) have to buy a new box