FIREWIRE 4 vs 6 pin & adaptors.

[rayc]

Hello,
As my main recording comp is down & going off for repairs I've been looking at my laptop as an interim unit. I already have a little Behri USB external soundcard unit (little $50 thing) but having been put in the situation of needing something reasonable I sussed out the Firewire capability of the thing. The laptop has a 4 pin firewire connection.
Most firewire audio seems to be 6 pin. Are there any 4 pin units?
I noticed, whilst searching, that 6 to 4 & visa versa adaptors exist. What sort of impact do these have on audio devices?
I guess I'm really after some directio as to whether to bothe with 4 pin tecnology, go to USB or wait until my main unit comes back.
Any ideas?

 

[Chrispy]

The only difference between 4pin and 6pin firewire is that 6pin has the capability of sending power to the device (thats what the 2 pins that 4pin hasn't got are for!). So unless your firewire device needs power from the computer, you will be fine running with a 6 to 4 adaptor.

 

[rayc]

Thanks Chrispy,
That's pretty much all I needed to hear I think. So now to an self powered device & she's apples.
Ta!!!