Z-Link cables

Entra · Post by **Entra** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 8:42 am

Z-Link connections (2 cables, 1394 standart connections)…but cables are too short (1,5 m).
I need 15 metres of the cables with same characteristics… (the reason is in the removing main computa to another room) ...but have a "fear" to use another one.

So colleagues the question is in the following:
Please be kind to let me know WHICH cables exactly fits better.
Brand CW or it will be possible to use another?
Does it possible to use them without risk of damage CW Pulsar?

Thank you.

Post by **garyb** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 11:42 am

just get good quality cables. any brand should work, if it's a good cable. some cheaper cables have poor connectors which will make for faulty operation...

astroman · Post by **astroman** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:08 pm

well, I don't think you will be able to find a single cable that length

according to specs you'd need 2 signal 'restorer/amplifiers' (repeaters) to span a distance of 15m.
This is not video cable, but a high frequency digital connection - it will drown in errors by reflections and false transmission.

cheers, Tom

Post by **garyb** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:16 pm

well, yes, that's true.

kylie · Post by **kylie** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 1:02 pm

astroman wrote: according to specs you'd need 2 signal 'restorer/amplifiers' (repeaters) to span a distance of 15m.

there is such thing as ieee1394 extender? man, I didn't know...

well, since 4,5m seems to be the maximum length, this makes sense.
I found some, after searching. but I found no hint if they would be compatible with what is sent via z-link, including voltage level on the power-pins, that makes the luna-box come alive... (and sends 2 lunas to heaven when connecting them via z-link)

-greetings, markus-

bgarlow · Post by **bgarlow** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 2:46 pm

It looks like there are FireWire 400 repeaters like this one:

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=1329

and FireWire extenders like this:

http://www.avsupplystore.com/om-rep.html

Has anyone used either type of product to extend their zlink cables? Any success or horror stories? I really want to put my DAW in a separate room in the studio, so I need to run about 25' of cable. The Gefen unit looks promising. You can daisy chain them up to 250'. It looks like I could get 2 of these and 2 of their 33' FireWire 400 cables and be good to go.

I just worry there may be something about the zlink protocol that won't work with this arrangement. Any ideas?

thanks,
Brent

Shroomz~> · Post by **Shroomz~>** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 2:50 pm

If the extensions are pin to pin & have the same male/female connectors as the Z-link ones it will probably work fine. Very interesting....

bgarlow · Post by **bgarlow** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 3:08 pm

I just thought of something. Instead of using zlink, can I use ADAT to connect my A16 ultra to my cards? The A16 has 2 sets of ADAT ports (16 channels) and I have 2 Creamware cards each with 8 channels of ADAT I/O. Would that work, or am I missing something. I've never used ADAT before. What's the maximum link of ADAT cables?

Cheers,
Brent

ali · Post by **ali** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 3:21 pm

this was sent to me by Larry Kriz regarding Good Quality Zlink connectors:

Quote:

"It sells under the brand name "FireVue Gold". It has gold plated connectors and a little diagnostic LED on both cable ends. Also includes ferrite beads on both ends. Very nice.

Again - here is the website: http://www.granitedigital.com/catalog/p ... cables.htm

If this comes up again, direct your customers here."

Post by **hubird** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 4:25 pm

bgarlow wrote:I just thought of something. Instead of using zlink, can I use ADAT to connect my A16 ultra to my cards? The A16 has 2 sets of ADAT ports (16 channels) and I have 2 Creamware cards each with 8 channels of ADAT I/O. Would that work, or am I missing something. I've never used ADAT before. What's the maximum link of ADAT cables?

Cheers,
Brent

don't have a A16, but it definitely should work

maximun link? you mean length?
specialized music shops sell them at several lengths, I use 6 of them of 1,5 meter, but I have a fat one of 7 meters from earlier days.
ADAT is great, f.e. you can just' hot' cable them, and ins and outs are distinctive by the red light of the outs

voidar · Post by **voidar** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 11:09 pm

I am not sure of the ADAT-spec in regards to maximum length, but it must be influenced by cable quality.

ADAT passes digital signals via optics (light) through a fiber-glass tube. The light will at one time detoriate due to friction in the fiber-glass.

As of Z-link. One of those extenders draw current from the host. I don't think Z-link is wired for powering operations like firewire can be?

Post by **garyb** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 11:46 pm

very good point. Ralf may know.

astroman · Post by **astroman** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 1:24 am

afaik the Luna box is powered via Z-Link

voidar · Post by **voidar** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 2:45 am

Interesting. So does that mean the A16U can be too? Anyone tried this?

Post by **hubird** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 6:14 am

Luna box IS powered by Z-link, I use two of them

voidar · Post by **voidar** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 6:17 am

Doesn't it saden you that they are unbalanced?

..

Just kidding. Very interesting. Looking forward to aquiring my newly perchased z-link prof.

Post by **hubird** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 6:26 am

voidar wrote:Doesn't it saden you that they are unbalanced? ..

I can't even sleep by the idea of it...