Using Both Ibook Firewire Ports - Problems? Options

[calden]

Hey all:

New member here, with a question. I've got an iBook 500 Mhz that I am going to make the heart of my studio setup. In looking around at various interface options I'd like to go with a firewire unit so as to potentially record more than two tracks at once. I am also going to buy a firewire hard drive to supplement the puny little 9 gig drive in the computer.

In doing this I would take up both firewire ports. Anyone have any experience using both firewire ports simultaneously on an iBook, one as an interface and the other as a write-to drive?
Any problems encountered doing so?

Thanks

Carlos

[carnagex2000]

you must have a special ibook, cause the normal ibook has 1 firewire port and two usb.
And as far as using more then one device, go for it, just make sure your hard drive has a firewire out to daisy chain other devices.

[calden]

Thanks for the reply. A day after I posted the original question I was looking at the iBook and realized I had my ports confused. Of course there is only one firewire port.

But thanks for your answer. Sounds like I'm able to use a firewire interface with an external firewire drive provided that one of them at least has a firewire port on it, correct? Would it make any difference which one is closest to the computer port in the chain?

Thanks,

Carlos

[carnagex2000]

Here is what your asking probably:
http://www.cablestogo.com/help/firewire_faqs.asp

Hope this helps

[carnagex2000]

Oh and about your questions:
1. Yes
2. No, as long as you dont exceed the max distance (otherwise you'll have some data drop off)