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#1 2005-12-05 10:00 pm
- thekingalrock
- Please tell me what the hell is going on
- From: MA
- Registered: 2001-04-01
- Posts: 5072
iPod nano FireWire connectivity?
I'm planning on buying an iPod nano as a gift to my girlfriend. However, it occurred to me that she uses a USB 2.0 external hard drive. So, I thought, I would buy a FireWire cable for it. But the Apple site says that the Dock connector-to-FireWire cable isn't compatible with the nano. Why is this? So I'm forced to buy a USB 2.0 hub to make this work? This seems like a dicey solution, especially considering all the stories I've read of iPods have trouble being recognized over USB... anyone have any ideas, any suggestions, any thoughts, any news? Thanks in advance.
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#2 2005-12-05 10:38 pm
- Tom_N
- Member
- Registered: 2002-01-24
- Posts: 889
Re: iPod nano FireWire connectivity?
But the Apple site says that the Dock connector-to-FireWire cable isn't compatible with the nano. Why is this?
The iPod Nano doesn't have FireWire controller circuitry. If you hook up a FireWire-to-Dock cable, the iPod Nano will suck power from your computer or A/C adapter ... but that's it. It won't listen to the data pins.
So I'm forced to buy a USB 2.0 hub to make this work?
If you don't have enough free USB ports, yes.
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#3 2005-12-06 10:54 am
- MacBoy4139
- BHA
- From: Big Hair Anonymous
- Registered: 2000-10-31
- Posts: 10911
Re: iPod nano FireWire connectivity?
iPods don't like hubs. If you plug in a FireWire cable, it will tell you that FireWire syncing is not supported.
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I'm still trying to figure out if you're a girl posing as Macboy4139, or a boy posing as a girl, and a bit confused sexually. <shrug> laughinol
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#4 2005-12-06 4:00 pm
- thekingalrock
- Please tell me what the hell is going on
- From: MA
- Registered: 2001-04-01
- Posts: 5072
Re: iPod nano FireWire connectivity?
MacBoy4139 wrote:
iPods don't like hubs. If you plug in a FireWire cable, it will tell you that FireWire syncing is not supported.
Right. So what am I supposed to do?
It places the lotion in the basket
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#5 2005-12-06 4:23 pm
Re: iPod nano FireWire connectivity?
thekingalrock wrote:
MacBoy4139 wrote:
iPods don't like hubs. If you plug in a FireWire cable, it will tell you that FireWire syncing is not supported.
Right. So what am I supposed to do?
Buy an iPod. Plug it into a USB port on your computer. Done.
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#6 2005-12-06 7:46 pm
- pottymouth
- Uncreative
- Moderator
- From: JP, MA
- Registered: 2002-02-06
- Posts: 17408
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Re: iPod nano FireWire connectivity?
iPods don't like hubs? Unpowered hubs, obviously, but I can't see why a powered hub wouldn't work.
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#7 2005-12-07 9:49 am
- thekingalrock
- Please tell me what the hell is going on
- From: MA
- Registered: 2001-04-01
- Posts: 5072
Re: iPod nano FireWire connectivity?
On the PowerBooks before the current ones (maybe two revisions before the current ones) are there two USB 2 ports or one USB 1.1 and one USB 2.0?
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#8 2005-12-07 10:42 am
- MacBoy4139
- BHA
- From: Big Hair Anonymous
- Registered: 2000-10-31
- Posts: 10911
Re: iPod nano FireWire connectivity?
pottymouth wrote:
iPods don't like hubs? Unpowered hubs, obviously, but I can't see why a powered hub wouldn't work.
It doesn't make any technical sense, but people have reported issues. It should work.
Dive in the Pool!
I'm still trying to figure out if you're a girl posing as Macboy4139, or a boy posing as a girl, and a bit confused sexually. <shrug> laughinol
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#9 2005-12-07 10:43 am
- MacBoy4139
- BHA
- From: Big Hair Anonymous
- Registered: 2000-10-31
- Posts: 10911
Re: iPod nano FireWire connectivity?
thekingalrock wrote:
On the PowerBooks before the current ones (maybe two revisions before the current ones) are there two USB 2 ports or one USB 1.1 and one USB 2.0?
Depends on the system - my 17" is supposed to be like that, but no matter which USB port I plug my video iPod in, it charges and syncs really fast.
Dive in the Pool!
I'm still trying to figure out if you're a girl posing as Macboy4139, or a boy posing as a girl, and a bit confused sexually. <shrug> laughinol
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#10 2005-12-07 1:21 pm
- thekingalrock
- Please tell me what the hell is going on
- From: MA
- Registered: 2001-04-01
- Posts: 5072
Re: iPod nano FireWire connectivity?
And which revision is your 17"? Which is the first revision to have both USB 2 ports?
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#11 2005-12-08 8:12 am
- MacBoy4139
- BHA
- From: Big Hair Anonymous
- Registered: 2000-10-31
- Posts: 10911
Re: iPod nano FireWire connectivity?
Mine is the rev B 17".
As for the other question - check www.everymac.com - my guess is rev D.
Dive in the Pool!
I'm still trying to figure out if you're a girl posing as Macboy4139, or a boy posing as a girl, and a bit confused sexually. <shrug> laughinol
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#12 2005-12-14 12:37 pm
- DukeofNuke
- Free Radical
- From: Hazard
- Registered: 2003-05-02
- Posts: 2563
Re: iPod nano FireWire connectivity?
Buy the hub. I found a Belkin USB2 4port powered hub at Big Lots for $4.00.
Power block is big as a brick!
"If you want to kick a tiger in the ass, you better have a plan for dealing with his teeth."
- Tom Clancy
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#13 2005-12-17 3:22 pm
- featherpillow
- Member
- Registered: 2005-12-17
- Posts: 1
Re: iPod nano FireWire connectivity?
I'm having the same problem, actually. What about this as a solution?
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/sterlingtek/ipnafica.html
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#14 2005-12-17 3:57 pm
Re: iPod nano FireWire connectivity?
featherpillow wrote:
I'm having the same problem, actually. What about this as a solution?
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/sterlingtek/ipnafica.html
Unless you know how to crack open an iPod Nano and add the necessary firewire control circuitry, using a firewire cable will do you no good!
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#15 2005-12-17 5:49 pm
- MacBoy4139
- BHA
- From: Big Hair Anonymous
- Registered: 2000-10-31
- Posts: 10911
Re: iPod nano FireWire connectivity?
I'm amazed that product exists. First, it makes it appear that it will transfer data using the FireWire cable - simply not true as covered here and on Apple's own site. Second, using the dock connector requires being part of the "Made for iPod" program.
Dive in the Pool!
I'm still trying to figure out if you're a girl posing as Macboy4139, or a boy posing as a girl, and a bit confused sexually. <shrug> laughinol
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#16 2005-12-18 7:48 am
- brainiac_7
- % rm -r brainiac_6
- Moderator
- From: CT Shoreline
- Registered: 2000-10-09
- Posts: 7253
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Re: iPod nano FireWire connectivity?
I've sent in feedback to Apple, complaining about the loss of FW connectivity. They have a feedback form, a bit out of date, on the web site. I highly recommend sending in a polite complaint about the issue.
Here's the URL:
http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipod.html
I'm sure tossing out FW is a nod to the PC world, and an attempt to make an even smaller form factor, however, Apple should be informed about how their faithful followers feel about product changes.
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