I have just found out the hard way that my HP 8710p lap top's 1394 firewire port is the small 4 prong type and is incompatible with the Sandisk firewire card reader.
Even with an adapter it won't work as the other two prongs on the full size version are required to power the card reader.
Anybody got any good alternates?
I've just gone to a 5D2 and the large files mean it's taking me 35 minutes to copy an 8 gig card.
I'm wondering which is the fastest USB 2 reader, or if there is s 4 pin firewire reader out there, or a faster way to copy cards to the hard drive?
I can download an 8GB card to a notebook in 5 minutes with a USB reader. Either your reader is slow, or your notebook has a slow hard drive or other issue. If it is a recent notebook, consider an ExpressCard reader. Otherwise use a fast UDMA USB reader. I use an Omniflash Uno as a second reader for travel.
runamuck wrote:
It sounds like your USB port is the older 1.1. Check the books for the computer and find out which are USB2.
If this your problem, then getting a new USB 2.0 reader, will not solve your problem, if you do not have USB 2.0 ports. The throughput on 1.1 is rated at 11 mbps, 2.0 is rated at 400 mbps, although 2.0 rarely achieves 400, but it is close. So if your ports are 1.1, then it will take forever, to DL an 8GB card. A PCMCIA card bus slot adapter with USB 2.0 ports would be faster than, your 1.1 ports. How old is your notebook?
The lap tap is definitely USB 2.0, and as EB1 said, its a dual core 2.5 ghz.
I'm pretty miffed that the firewire is the 4 pin variety, which seems a bit short sighted of HP, but if a decent reader sorts this out I'll be happy.
the 4 pin i/o requires a self powered device in order to operate as they themselves are not powered. in addition there are no 4 pin readers
short sighted? no not at all. the 4 pin port is technically referred to as iLink for video cameras even though they refer to it as a 1394a port (that is how it is licenced). firewire 400 full ports are rare at best on PC based laptop systems. the plugs themselves were designed poorly for maintaining good contact and FW800 is even worse and is known to short when hot plugging.
your bottleneck can and mosdt likely is a combination of factors. the card itself and its relationship with the reader and then the USB 2 interface too. i use an asus dual 2.4Ghz with an express card reader and get about 22MB/s on average
as to a reader i suggest the Lexar Pro UDMA combo CF/SD reader model RW035-7000. it averages about 25MB/s on my home machine
I think it's short sighted. HP gave me 6 USB ports but a 4 pin firewire? ( when would I use 6?).
The 8710p is a high end laptop which basically replaced my desktop.
I expected HP to have at least a 6 pin firewire port for the cash I gave them.
But hey, bad research on my regard. I'm gonna give the Sandisk USB 2.0 reader a go, I'm sure it will sort my issues out!
sjms is correct. PC notebooks are not normally designed with powered firewire ports. It is not an HP issue per se. There is a long history of Microsoft+Intel etc. hardware vs. Apple and Firewire.
There will be a faster version of USB - USB 3.0 - for future notebooks and desktops. It will eliminate the bottlenecks of the aging USB 2.0.
The modern SanDisk readers are nice (though too bulky for some travel purposes) and you should experience fast download speeds.
EyeBrock wrote:
I think it's short sighted. HP gave me 6 USB ports but a 4 pin firewire? ( when would I use 6?).
The 8710p is a high end laptop which basically replaced my desktop.
I expected HP to have at least a 6 pin firewire port for the cash I gave them.
But hey, bad research on my regard. I'm gonna give the Sandisk USB 2.0 reader a go, I'm sure it will sort my issues out!
well for some 6 is outstanding. the average user (as this is their only computer) will plug in their:
1- printer (unless its wireless)
2- mp3 player
3- camera (some like to direct download)
4- external drive
5- thumb drive
6- scanner
you can eat them up as fast as they install them. FW on the other hand has a limited market
go for that sandisk 2.0 reader and you are behind the curve already. most newer cards today are UDMA supported that in itself is considerably faster. it will also help your older cards as it supports the updated tranfer protocols too.
Nah, I have a laptop docking station with all my other gear plugged into and I'm sure that most people who have gone the "laptop replaces desktop" route do the same.
I would just like the basic's when I have the laptop on it's own and I'd gladly lose 2 USB slots to get a 6 pin firewire port. I'd still have 4 lUSB ports left and I've emailed HP accordingly.
I disagree re FW demand.
With the larger MP's on pro and prosumer camera sensors there is a growing market and need to get the fastest transfer time possible on CF to hard-drives. I want the fastest transfer but I can't get FW 800.
I have had desktop PC's for 12 years and I think there is a shift towards high quality laptops replacing desktops, I paid a premium to get a 'romping stomping' laptop and I expect it to be equipped with all the ports I need.
That aside I got the SanDisk Extreme USB reader and it's way better than what I had! Thanks for the input though!
EyeBrock wrote:
Nah, I have a laptop docking station with all my other gear plugged into and I'm sure that most people who have gone the "laptop replaces desktop" route do the same.
Sure, but usually that is done for business or typical consumer use rather than serious photo work. Notebook storage and performance limitations are problematic due to space and power requirement. At the very least one would want native eSATA ports and DVI video out. Even a modest quad-core destop system with average HDs will blow away the notebook in terms of performance and versatility (other than travel of course).
EyeBrock wrote:
Nah, I have a laptop docking station with all my other gear plugged into and I'm sure that most people who have gone the "laptop replaces desktop" route do the same.
I would just like the basic's when I have the laptop on it's own and I'd gladly lose 2 USB slots to get a 6 pin firewire port. I'd still have 4 lUSB ports left and I've emailed HP accordingly.
I disagree re FW demand.
With the larger MP's on pro and prosumer camera sensors there is a growing market and need to get the fastest transfer time possible on CF to hard-drives. I want the fastest transfer but I can't get FW 800.
I have had desktop PC's for 12 years and I think there is a shift towards high quality laptops replacing desktops, I paid a premium to get a 'romping stomping' laptop and I expect it to be equipped with all the ports I need.
That aside I got the SanDisk Extreme USB reader and it's way better than what I had! Thanks for the input though!...Show more →
if you want full firewire its simple... buy a macbook pro
i'm sorry if it weren't for mac users FW would be even more limited.
EB-1 wrote:
I'm wondering if FW will be of much use after USB 3.0, or if it will eventually die out.
EBH
FW as a COM tool is beautiful. its used in the military avionics in some aircraft. of course without their really poor designed plugs(cannon plugs all the way). FW 1600 and 3200 have gotten the IEEE stamp of approval even with the somewhat still birth of 800.
