This is a 1394b-800 9-pin to 9-pin cable = used for high speed up to 800 Mbps (512Mbps sustained).

 

 

This is a 1394a-400 6-pin to 6-pin cable = used for high speed up to 400 Mbps (256Mbps sustained).

 

 

This is a 1394a-400 6-pin to 1394b-800 9-pin cable = used for high speed up to 400 Mbps (256Mbps sustained).

 

 

 

This is a 1394a-400 4-pin to 6-pin cable = used for high speed up to 400 Mbps (256Mbps sustained).

You must provide some way to power the camera if using a laptop with this type of cable as the 4-pin is missing power and ground signals.  Solution for this can be found = http://ntcdistributing.com/products/firewire-other.htm

Look for part# CFR-66P-01

 

 

 

This is a 1394a-400 4-pin to 1394b-800 9-pin cable = used for high speed up to 400 Mbps (256Mbps sustained).

You must provide some way to power the camera if using a laptop with this type of cable as the 4-pin is missing power and ground signals.  Solution for this can be found = http://ntcdistributing.com/products/firewire-other.htm

Look for part# CFB-9401P

 

 

 

 

 

 

The only way to get full 1394b (800) performance is to use a 9-pin to 9-pin cable.  No other combination will enable full bandwidth.

 

Please remember =

1394a (400) can only sustain 256 Mbps of bandwidth

And

1394a (800) can only sustain 512 Mbps of bandwidth