From: "Tim" <tjp314@pacbell.net>

Date: April 9, 2009 5:44:37 PM MDT

To: Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: USB to firewire?

--- In Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com, Milton Aupperle <milton@...> wrote:

Hi Tim;

One other issue your missing the fact that the cameras are usually  

all BUS Powered and this adapter delivers 4 pin mini FireWire. So  

even if you did connect it, there is no power on the FireWire bus.

USB 2 puts out maximum 500 mili amps, Firewire can run up to 40 volts  

and I think it's 8 amps maximum for the Spec, more than enough for a  

Camera and a TEC at the same tim (assuming the Mac / PC supported  

that much juice).

That's one of the reasons that PGR can't use much on USB because the  

bigger the CCD, the more power it draws. So you wind up with the  

camera needing to be powered externally for USB, adding even more  

wires to your Cameras.

From what I recall USB 3 delivers more power, but not 40 volts / 8  

amps worth, so you'll always be powering the big CCD Cameras via a  

second power source.

HTH..

Milton Aupperle

This is good info.  I may go the "upgrade g4 and HP at same time" route, then.  I really like my mini, but then taking one of those out in the field with a monitor and keyboard isn't exactly a step up from the powerbook.  I also like the backlit keyboard of the macbook pros, 

but I'm not thrilled at the starting price of 2K.  Rats.

On the camera front:  Any special reason Pt Grey put the 2/3" chip in a flea2, but not the exview HAD that's in the grasshopper?

-Tim.