Solved! IEEE 1394 on laptop without ieee1394 port

[billfarrell7]

Hi,
I am attempting to broadcast live monthly meeting/presentations.

I am using a Sony DVCamcorder with a 6-pin firewire/ieee 1394 connection.
Normally I just record the presentations, edit them, and post them online for viewers to watch.

I would like to broadcast them live.
I have the software needed to do so.

THE PROBLEM is:
My laptop does not have a firewire connection
and in order to connect to a remote server and broadcast the video feed
I am using a Broadband card in the laptops only PCMCIA slot


Does an external Firewire card exist - that can be plugged in via a USB connection?

Are there any other options for getting a 6-pin firewire camcorder connected into a laptop without a firewire/ieee 1394 connection?

I prefer not buying a new laptop,
but will buy an external card,
or one of the little adapters that switch from ieee 1394 to USB - if they work and don't destroy my hardware:
http://www.meritline.com/ieee-firewire-pin-female-adapter---p-43546.aspx?source=nextaghdac


If anyone has any experience in this area,
I would be very appreciative to see any advice.

Thank You...........

 

[RetiredChief]

What you want is something simular to the USB->serial port convert.
Foud this, But don't think they will work for your intended use.
Read user coments on 2nd link.

http://www.ehow.com/how_6522597_convert-usb-2_0-firewire-400.html
http://www.meritline.com/ieee-firewire-pin-female-adapter---p-43546.aspx?source=fghdac

 

[billfarrell7]

Thank You Retired Chief,
That's right - I'm looking at those type of connectors - if they'd work.

And,
they are cheap, but before I try them,
I'm curious if anyone has tried them before - specifically with DV camcorders,
because I don't want to damage an expensive camera with a cheap little connector.

I'm pretty sure the signal and power coming from a USB port is different from an ieee1394 port.

Do you have any experience with the USB ->Firewire connectors you mentioned above?

I have not seen or found any other options yet though.

THank you!

 

[RetiredChief]

No experience. My desktops have Firewire, My laptops do not. Newest laptop has USB 3 so really do not need the speed of firewire. I do use the USB->Serial port adaptor.