Can You Convert Firewire to USB?

How do you connect a device to your computer? Through ports, of course. Just plug in your device to the port, and... wait a minute, the plug will not fit into the port! This might happen, if you are trying to connect a device with a FireWire plug, to your computer's USB port. So what is a FireWire port, and what is the difference between it and a USB port? Once you are savvy with the real deal, the most obvious question is "Can you convert FireWire to USB?". To find out the answers to these questions, read on for an in-depth look at these two port specifications.

What is a Firewire Connection?

The official classification name for FireWire is IEEE 1394 interface. A FireWire connection has the same purpose as a USB connection: it connects 1 device to another, and allows for real-time data transfer. As a standard, 1394 was developed in 1986 by Apple, who gave it the brand name "FireWire". Other companies such as Sony and Texas Instruments have their own brand of the 1394 interface, named i.Link and Lynx respectively.

What is a USB Connection?

USB stands for Universal Serial Bus. It is a standard used to connect peripherals to a computer. The concept of plug-and-play is due to the USB specification. USB ports provide power to the device connected to them, so an external power supply is not needed to power the device, while it is being used. The USB standard has nearly wiped out the need for serial and parallel ports.

Can You Convert FireWire to USB?

The answer is both yes and no. There are hardware differences between the 2 specifications, that do not allow conversion. Another issue is the actual technology. A FireWire connection is designed to transfer large amounts of data at a higher speed. A USB connection is not. So if you thought you could speed up your USB connection by making it FireWire, think again. But what if you have a device, say a video recorder, with a FireWire port, and a PC with only USB ports? The 2 ports are physically and functionally different, but you need to connect the recorder to the PC. The solution here is to use a FireWire to USB adapter, like so:

☛ Plug the FireWire cable, provided with the recorder into the FireWire port on the recorder.
☛ Plug the other end of the cable into the FireWire-to-USB adapter firmly, such that the cable is completely inside the adapter.
☛ The other end of the adapter is a USB connector, so connect it to any USB port on your computer. Connection done.

A nifty little adapter can allow your FireWire port-only device to connect to your USB port PC. This is because one end is a USB and the other end is a FireWire connector. Such adapters, or little plugs cost around $5. You can even opt for an extension cable or wire, to allow for an easier connection. Some adapter models are:

• TRENDnet USB / FireWire Adapter for TC-NT2 ($15)
• Importer520 USB 2.0 to IEEE 1394 FireWire 4 Pin 4 feet Extension Cable ($2)
• Sima SUO-200 USB Multi Cable with FireWire ($16)

But such a connection will not give you the high data transfer rate of a normal FireWire to FireWire connection. The computer will accept and send data, at the USB rate of 480 Mbps. There are also power issues between the 2 standards. A much safer option, especially for long-term use, is to use a USB hub with FireWire ports or install a PCI FireWire card. The PCI card can be inserted into a laptop or PC and installed. So your computer will have FireWire ports, and the high-speed advantage is also present. Some models are:

• HDE 7 Port USB Squid Hub ($6)
• Sonnet Technologies USB/FireWire Expresscard 34 ($50)
• IOGEAR Universal Hub GUH420 ($30)
• StarTech 2 Port ExpressCard Laptop 1394a ($45)
• Belkin FireWire 6-Port Hub ($40)

While every computer has USB ports and they are easily identifiable, your computer might have a FireWire port, and you can't find it or have confused it for some other port. The best way to identify the FireWire port on your computer is to look for the logo. In desktops, all ports are located on the back of the CPU cabinet. With laptops, the ports are located along the side of the computer. Take a closer look at the ports and you might find a FireWire port, hiding among the others. Hopefully the above research has put your "Can you convert FireWire to USB?" questions to rest.