Firewire to USB 3.0 adapter?

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3DPiper

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Nov 21, 2008
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I am considering purchasing a new notebook, I'll be going from my tried-and-true Dell Precision m6400 to a much smaller and sleeker Dell Precision M3800..

My current notebook as four usb ports (one is also esata) and a 6 pin firewire. The new M3800 only has USB.. I have several legacy devices that I will still need to use with the new notebook. I can purchase a USB 3.0 to ESATA cable, but I can't find ANYTHING to let me use a firewire 400 device with USB 3.0 port.

Is there any way to use a Firewire 400 device with a USB 3.0 port?
 
Solution
There aren't any 3.0 to firewire specific adapters that I'm aware of, but there are adapter cables for USB 2.0 to Firewire 400/1394a. Since USB's max data throughput is 480 Mbit/s and Firewire's is 400 Mbit/s, a 2.0 adapter should work out fine.

Granted, Firewire is preferred due to its greater effective speed and power distribution (among other facets); since you're working with a slow specification of Firewire, I don't think many cable manufacturers see a need for such a conversion. You can try contacting a custom cable manufacturer.
There aren't any 3.0 to firewire specific adapters that I'm aware of, but there are adapter cables for USB 2.0 to Firewire 400/1394a. Since USB's max data throughput is 480 Mbit/s and Firewire's is 400 Mbit/s, a 2.0 adapter should work out fine.

Granted, Firewire is preferred due to its greater effective speed and power distribution (among other facets); since you're working with a slow specification of Firewire, I don't think many cable manufacturers see a need for such a conversion. You can try contacting a custom cable manufacturer.
 
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