[SOLVED] Does a firewire webcam going through a USB adapter look the same?

[tom2u]

If I use a Firewire to USB adapter (they're really cheap on Ebay) will it degrade the image quality at all? No modern laptops have firewire input and I've got a great firewire webcam with zoom and good optics I'd like to use.

 

[USAFRet]

If I use a Firewire to USB adapter (they're really cheap on Ebay) will it degrade the image quality at all? No modern laptops have firewire input and I've got a great firewire webcam with zoom and good optics I'd like to use.

That would probably depend on the quality of the "really cheap on ebay" adapter.

 

[tom2u]

Here is an example of them: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...m570.l1313&_nkw=firewire+usb+adapter&_sacat=0

 

[USAFRet]

Here is an example of them: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...m570.l1313&_nkw=firewire+usb+adapter&_sacat=0

Completely unknown.
The only way to know is to try.

Personally, I would buy something like this from Amazon instead of fleabay.
MUCH better chance of a refund if the thing does not meet your expectations.

I see them for $5-$10 on Amazon.

 

[tom2u]

Looks like they don't work from the reviews on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/ANiceSeller-...ds=firewire+usb+adapter&qid=1623297367&sr=8-3

 

[USAFRet]

Looks like they don't work from the reviews on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/ANiceSeller-...ds=firewire+usb+adapter&qid=1623297367&sr=8-3

And no expectation the ebay thing would work either.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8522032

Solution?
Firewire PCIe card (assuming this is a desktop)
https://www.amazon.com/Tanbin-Firewire-Expansion-Controller-Connection/dp/B075FRGCGP

 

[CountMike]

Any adapter for that (either way) would have to be active adapter, although USB and Firewire are first cousins, using same voltages, they are using different form of signal and protocol sou would need to translate it.

 

[Paperdoc]

At a quick search I found NO converters for this. There are "adapters" - little blocks or cables - that are sold this way. BUT they do NOT do the complex job of converting from one method of data transfer to another. They only make connections between pins, with NO signal adjustments, so they do not work.

 

[tom2u]

Solution?
Firewire PCIe card (assuming this is a desktop)
https://www.amazon.com/Tanbin-Firewire-Expansion-Controller-Connection/dp/B075FRGCGP
[/QUOTE]

Yes I'm aware of Firewire cards for desktops. But I also need it for a laptop as I mentioned in my original post because that's what the next user will probably be using.

 

[USAFRet]

Yes I'm aware of Firewire cards for desktops. But I also need it for a laptop as I mentioned in my original post because that's what the next user will probably be using.

Then it might be time for a new USB webcam.

 

[SkyNetRising]

Yes I'm aware of Firewire cards for desktops. But I also need it for a laptop as I mentioned in my original post because that's what the next user will probably be using.

If your laptop has free mini PCIE slot, then you can install mini PCIE to Firewire adapter.
Will not look pretty though. 😊

 

[tom2u]

If your laptop has free mini PCIE slot, then you can install mini PCIE to Firewire adapter.
Will not look pretty though. 😊

Oh wow. I've never heard of laptops with that slot. Is it quite recent that they began offering it? And would it only be on larger/17" laptops due to the increased space they have to work with?

 

[SkyNetRising]

Mini PCIE is pretty common in laptops. Usually internal wifi card is connected there.
Only small part (with chip on it) goes into laptop.
Bracket with ports would remain outside dangling in a wire. That's why I said, it would not look pretty.

 

[tom2u]

Mini PCIE is pretty common.
Only small part (with chip on it) goes into laptop.
Bracket with ports would remain outside dangling in a wire.

Wow that really opens up the laptop to so much flexibility. I don't suppose there are hubs one could use so you could connect multiple devices or are you limited to one device?

 

[tom2u]

Hey, what about a powered hub that has firewire and USB inputs and a USB output?

 

[hotaru.hino]

Nitpicking, Mini-PCIe in laptops have fallen out of favor in the last few years (possibly as early as 2016) due to M.2 being a thing. So make sure you actually have a Mini-PCIe slot.

 

[tom2u]

Nitpicking, Mini-PCIe in laptops have fallen out of favor in the last few years (possibly as early as 2016) due to M.2 being a thing. So make sure you actually have a Mini-PCIe slot.

Thank you for that update. Very good to know.

 

[hang-the-9]

By the time you buy a firewire card for a laptop you may as well just use that money to get a USB webcam that is compatible with all modern systems. I don't know of any USB to firewire external boxes that could be used on a laptop, and having a port hanging out of a laptop case is not the best thing when there are plenty of USB webcams around.