[The Godfather]

From the iPod Linux forum:

Linux On iPod :: View topic - iPod Camera Connector - OPENED

Adriano opened the iPod camera connector it turns out it is some sort of USB-Firewire synchronizer.

It is this product, by the way:

The Apple Store (U.S.) - Apple iPod Camera Connector

P.S. I like the new vBulletin feature that loads the webpage title referred in the URL.

[turtle777]

So why does it not work with FW docks ?


-t

[TailsToo]

Doesn't it seem to work the wrong way?

[The Godfather]

If I read the thread correctly, the Camera Connector sends a secret code via serial to enable Firewire.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by The Godfather

If I read the thread correctly, the Camera Connector sends a secret code via serial to enable Firewire.

So, basically, Apple disabled FW on purpose. A$$holes

-t

[Wiskedjak]

Originally Posted by what_the_heck

So, basically, Apple disabled FW on purpose. A$$holes

-t

It wouldn't be the first time that Apple has expended effort to disable functionality for business reasons (read: monitor spanning on the iBook)

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by Wiskedjak

It wouldn't be the first time that Apple has expended effort to disable functionality for business reasons (read: monitor spanning on the iBook)

But is doesn't make sense. How is Apple making more money with disabling FW ?

Previously, it was speculated that the FW chip was too expensive and that Apple redesigned the iPod, leaving the FW chip out. But why put it in, and then disable it ? Doesn't make sense, financially.

-t

[CharlesS]

To force the suckers who bought non-expandable USB 1.1 machines only two years prior to the iPod 5G's introduction to buy whole new machines just to use the iPod, I guess.

That is such BS if it's true.

[tooki]

From reading the article, I extract this: the 5G iPod has about 1/2 the FireWire circuitry missing. It has the basic communication hardware, but doesn't have the electronics needed to establish and maintain links. So the Camera Connector brings those things to the table. Its host CPU also has the USB bus on it for the camera to link with.

tooki

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by tooki

From reading the article, I extract this: the 5G iPod has about 1/2 the FireWire circuitry missing. It has the basic communication hardware, but doesn't have the electronics needed to establish and maintain links. So the Camera Connector brings those things to the table. Its host CPU also has the USB bus on it for the camera to link with.

Which would mean: you could redo the camera connector by taking the guts, soldering it to a FW conncetor and have a FW interface ?

-t

[mduell]

While conspiracy theories are always fun, I'm not sure that I buy into Adriano's analysis yet. A lot of people have come looking for a generic USB<->FW converter (mostly for iPods, but some for other things), and all the searching on the web has come up with nothing. Also, why would Apple even want to involve FW when syncing a native USB camera with a USB iPod? That doesn't make much sense. He talks about the use of isochronous modes, but why would you even go there to copy still/stored images from a camera? Bulk transfer mode would seem to be the most appropriate.

[The Godfather]

You are right in that it doesn't make sense that they involved Firewire. However, the point of the thread is twofold:
1. The iPod Camera Connector does not use the iPod's USB at all (the surprising part).
2. There are some wires going to the disabled Firewire pins (the puzzling part).

[The Godfather]

Originally Posted by tooki

From reading the article, I extract this: the 5G iPod has about 1/2 the FireWire circuitry missing. It has the basic communication hardware, but doesn't have the electronics needed to establish and maintain links. So the Camera Connector brings those things to the table. Its host CPU also has the USB bus on it for the camera to link with.

tooki

You are probably right. Maybe the iPod is lacking the power electronics that pump the signal over 6 feet or so of wire.

[tooki]

Probably the reverse. It clearly does have the electronics needed to pump bits, but it seems to be lacking the electronics that establish and control connections (i.e., the iPod is really stupid and needs help). So those are in the camera connector instead.

tooki

[The Godfather]

Could be either way, but it is not clear that it has Firewire power electronics (aka Physical Layer).

[Eriamjh]

If you cannot plug a firewire port into the iPod, then it doesn't support it.

The camera adapter is at best a USB to FW converter. Unless someone figures out a hack to make it a FW to iPod adapter, it is useless (except as a camera adapter. ).

[tooki]

Originally Posted by The Godfather

Could be either way, but it is not clear that it has Firewire power electronics (aka Physical Layer).

Clearly it has that, or it would be incapable of transmitting data, even if controlled from the outside. What it seems to lack (to use the OSI model analogy) is link and session layers.

tooki

[MaxPower2k3]

So could someone reverse-engineer this thing and make a USB > FireWire adapter? If it was USB2-compatible (even if not at full speed) it would be great for people with older USB1 macs who want a new iPod and don't want to have to buy a new Mac or suffer with USB1 speeds.