Firewire 800 drives usable on firewire 400?

[tomson]

Does anyone know if I can use a firewire 800 drive on a firewire 400 equipped mac?
I thought it wasn't possible but have read that a 800 to 400 lead is available. Any ideas?

[rude-dog]

this should be fine as 800 is fully backwards compatable. all you'll need is some kinda lead or adaptor thingie to convert the connection.

all thats really different between them is the transfer speed, 400mbits per second or 800mbits per second, obviously you'll just loose the faster transfer speed connecting it to a 400 port

[ahin4114]

Amen brother rude-dog. I've seen the leads in PC World, and by all accounts, if they're available there, then you should be able to get them at all good retailers.

[SeedyR]

I think you will need a cable like this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1-8M-Firewire-400-800-cable-9pin-6pin_W0QQitemZ130084232478QQihZ003QQcategoryZ31493 QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD10VQQcmdZViewItem

However I have never seen a firewire 800 only drive, so I'd be suprised if the harddrive doesn't actually have a firewire 400 connection too.

[tomson]

cheers all... and thanks for the link craigy boy

the enclosure i was looking at is indeed 800 only - http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=462628