How to Use a FireWire 400 to FireWire 800 Adapter

A FireWire port has many advantages in comparison to a USB port. FireWire hard drives, for example, transfer data faster than USB and can be daisy-chained to each other. A computer that has a FireWire 800 port cannot connect to a FireWire 400 device unless a FireWire adapter is used. You can use a FireWire 400-equipped device with a FireWire 800 port by interposing the adapter between the two. The procedure is straightforward and does not physically alter either the FireWire 400 device or the FireWire 800 port.

Things You'll Need

• 6 foot FireWire 400 cable

Instructions

1. Align the squared off shape of the FireWire 800 male plug that is at one end of the FireWire 400 to 800 adapter with the FireWire 800 port on the computer. Push the plug into the port.

2. Insert one end of a FireWire 400 cable into the output port on the back of the FireWire 400 device.

3. Align the horizontal shape at the end of the FireWire 400 cable with the similarly shaped end of the adapter.

4. Push the end of the FireWire 400 cable into the end of the adapter to complete the connection between the FireWire 400 device and the FireWire 800 port.

Tips & Warnings

• The speed of a FireWire 400 device remains the same when plugged into a FireWire 800 port.

References

• Sonnettech: FireWire 400 To 800 Adapter

Resources

• Sonnettech: FireWire 400-ro-800 Adapter
• Newertech: FireWire 800-400 Adapter