RJK wrote:
> Thanks Paul
> http://www.frontx.com/cpx105_2.html is to all intents and purposes what
> I've got,
> and I want a pci card with a 1394a pin header like:-
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16815124034
> and, if possible with more on it e.g. some USB ports on it as well, seeingas
> it's going to take a pci slot.
>
> regards, Richard
>
My recommendation to you is:
1) Use PCI cards with a single function, for best compatibility.
Occasionally, there are combo PCI cards where the address decoding
is not done properly - i.e. some barebones systems come with a
custom PCI card, and if that card shows up on Ebay, it only really
works properly with the motherboard it came with. But that
doesn't happen too often. If the combo card is coming from a
major retailer (or you can trace that part number as being for sale
at a major retailer), it'll do the right thing.
2) Feedback on combo cards, is general dissatisfaction with chip
performance. All it takes is one chip not doing what it is supposed
to, to make the card go into your junk bin.
3) For Firewire, best choice is TI chipsets. Second best choice or
an equal choice, could be a Lucent (Agere) solution. VIA is further
down the list. Don't take my word for it, Google for details - in
particular, look for threads about camcorders and not being able to
stream movies etc. TI seems to do well for that. If the card is for
Firewire hard drives, then maybe more of them would have worked.
4) For USB, best choice is a NEC USB2 chip. Occasionally, the NEC will
blow out a port, so perhaps they aren't completely bullet-proof against
static discharge. But in terms of device function, I believe the
original driver development, was done with a NEC device as the target.
If you have plenty of PCI card slots, then go for separate cards for the
functions.
In terms of "nicest concept", this Koutech KW-F7002 consists of a PCI
card, a ribbon cable, and a 5 1/4" disk drive tray. The ribbon cable
takes care of the internal wiring. [Manual line wrap to suit my
USENET server - it rejects postings with long lines, and I don't
use Tinyurl.]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Showimage.asp?Mode=&Type=&Image=15-104-205-05.JPG
%2C15-104-205-06.JPG%2C15-104-205-07.JPG%2C15-104-205-08.JPG
%2C15-104-205-04.JPG&CurImage=15-104-205-07.JPG&
Description=Koutech+PCI+to+USB%2F1394a+Card+w%2FFront+Panel+Model+KW-F7002+-+Retail
The fact that the current model shown is KW-F7002V, implies the PCI
card could be using two VIA chips (i.e. not as pictured on the site),
instead of the nicer HINT PCI bridge plus NEC USB2 and VIA Firewire.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815104205
The only problem with the product, would seem to be the choice of
materials for the disk drive tray. The drive tray should have
been metal, and provided a way to connect the shell of each front
panel connector, to the chassis of the computer. That does a better
job of redirecting static discharge into the chassis, instead of
blowing ports. The only grounds for the product, would be in the
ribbon cable, allowing coupling of ground transients into the data
pairs, blowing them up. The review comments for that product, note
that the NEC USB2 ports blow out one by one, implying insufficient
attention to static.
So while the Koutech design is a "nice concept", since you don't have
to find internal cabling, it isn't really worth the money.
I'd go with separate cards for Firewire and USB. You'll potentially pay
less money for it, and if there is a port failure, or if the chips
don't talk to your devices properly, you only have to replace one cheaper
card at a time. That allows you to get the best brand of chipset
on each card.
For best static protection, using ports on the back of the computer does
the best job of redirecting static into the chassis, instead of allowing
it to couple into data signals. Many computer front panels miss the
tiny quality details, to make the front ports as bulletproof to static,
as the back ports.
HTH,
Paul
