ADVC 55 AC Adapter Package

[CatCakes]

Hi there,

I won't be using the ADVC55 with a 6pin firewire, but with a 4 pin. I read about this ac adapter in the instruction manual, but can't seem to find it anywhere else.

There's a seller on Ebay with adapters made for the ADVC55, but that plug doesn't fit. Anyone know of another adapter that might fit the ADVC55?

Cheers!

[GrassValley_CP]

How about the one that was made by Canopus to work with the ADVC-55/ADVC-110? You can find that for sale in our online store. Use of any other non-authorized power supply will void your warranty.

[GrassValley_BH]

Contact your local sales office (that would be us in San Jose since you're in Los Angeles). The specs are also on the webpage, but remember that using an AC adapter not specified for the ADVC will void its warranty.

[GrassValley_CP]

Whoo hoo! I actually beat Brandon to a forum post!

[VideoUser]

I have a simular issue. I just got a ADVC-55 intending to use it for analog video caputer on a laptop. The laptop I'm using doesn't have 1394 so I had to buy a PCMCIA/cardbus adapter that has 1394. The adapter card has two 6-pin ports. Is it normal not to get full power from such a device? Because the ADVC-55 doesn't power up when plugging it into one of these ports.

I assume I'll need the $40 ac adapter? What really is the big deal with using that specific adapter and voiding the warrenty? Is it mainly just that Canopus doesn't have confidence that people are smart enough to find an ac adapter that will put out 5v with the correct polarity(center positive) and the appropriate connector? Or is it more complecated than that and the device requires a low current power supply because it doesn't have a current limiting safety margin or it needs some super clean power supply?

Thanks for the help! We really need to get this thing working...

[VideoUser]

How about this as a compromise...
If I use a Firewire/1394 repeater with its own power supply connected between my Laptop 1394 PCMCIA card and the ADVC-55 then the repeater should be able to provide the needed power to run the ADVC-55, right? Will this void my warrenty? ;)
I just happen to have this other equipment on hand.

[GrassValley_KH]

The ADVC55 unit was only ever designed to work with powered 6-pin FireWire ports in PCs (either desktop or laptop), or its own PSU kit.

Anything else is probably going to cross the line. Your best bet is to check in with Technical Support before you try anything outside of the above. Better safe than sorry.

[VideoUser]

Well I tried it with the PCMCIA card 6-pin port like I said and nothing happened so I'm assuming it's not getting enough power...

With the Firewire repeater it's basically just a "hub" for Firewire like you would have for USB. It has it's own power supply. The manual says nothing about not plugging it into a Firewire repeater and if damage could come from that, then that would be pretty sad... It should just provide/simulate a powered 6-pin port just as if it were on the computer(desktop, etc).
I have seen Laptops not supply enough power to USB components through just the USB power and needing a supplemental power supply as well. I suspect a simular issue is happening here.

[GrassValley_KH]

I'm not sure that the PCMCIA specification was even intended to carry 5V power...

As I said - give Tech Support a call and confirm with them first that running off the repeater will be ok for your unit (warranty wise). Then you're covered.

[VideoUser]

Yes, thank you, I will have to do that. So the threads aren't really meant for tech support? At least not in detailed level?
I'm glad they're here for quick reference though! Definitely handy for trouble shooting a new setup, etc or finding out what other issues other users are having.

[GrassValley_KH]

Yes, thank you, I will have to do that. So the threads aren't really meant for tech support? At least not in detailed level?
I'm glad they're here for quick reference though! Definitely handy for trouble shooting a new setup, etc or finding out what other issues other users are having.

The purpose of these forums is mainly for peer-based knowledge exchange on our current product lines.

Tech support is still its own entity, and will continue to be so for the forseeable future.

[kbosward]

Does your laptop 1394 card have a socket for an optional power adapter? Mine does, and won't supply power to the ports unless the power adapter is connected (I use ADVC300 which comes with its own power supply so not a problem for me). My understanding is that most laptop 1394 cards WON'T supply power to the ports due to laptop power drain concerns, except for those that have provision for an external power adapter. Check the specs on your card.

Ken.

[GrassValley_BH]

PC Card carried 5V and 3.3V (depending on type) - but FireWire is 12V, and there's definitely no 12V on there...