My Audigy works great for all uses. Reasonable OHCI compliant connection. Seems to be a pretty stable Firewire connection, seperate from the soundcard (which I use as a back up and have an Echo MIA card as my main audio interface).

From my testing, Canons and JVCs DO NOT daisy chain to Firewire hard drives. This has to do with the Fujitsu chip on the DV devices, and is a known issue on their part. The problem is that the DV device doesn't properly share the 1394 bus with respect to data and command transfer. This is also the same reason why our Video Capture application seems to be unresponsive momentarily from time to time when connected to these devices.

I've successfully tested various Sonys daisy-chained to two daisy-chainged Firewire hard drives with no problems.

I'd suggest you contact Canon and ask what's up. You may or may not be able to use a separate 1394 port to separately connect a DV device and a Firewire hard drive to the OHCI card successfully. Please let us know if you do try this configuration.

I am have great luck with a USB2 drive, not daisy chained of course IOGear card.

Dan

And yes I had lots of connection problems with Canon and JVC also. Sony no problems...

Unfortunately I am stuck with the Canon camcorder, how I wish I had bouhgt a Sony! Canon tech support basically was not interested in this problem last time I called them. Having said that I don't really see what they could do if the problem is the chip-set.

So, I will get hold of an Audigy and give it a try. I find the SoundBlaster site very confusing about the three variants of Audigy. If one ignores the bundled software is there any audio difference between the MP3+, Platinum, and Platinum Ex?

Thanks everyone,
Sid

Yeah, Sid, the audigy picture is confusing. Some of the boxes, in the illustrations I've seen, seem to have 1/4" in standard phono plug jacks, and others the mini 1/8" flimsy jobbies. Make sure to get the model with the 1/4" inputs, if you dont want to be forever jiggling your 1/8" mini's to get them to make proper connection. And if you get a precise model number for the version with 1/4" jacks, would you post it here ? Thanks.

All of the Audigy cards are the same, except the Platinum ones have a breakout box with the 1/4" plugs jboy mentioned. The Platinum breakout box fits into a 5 1/4" drive bay, while the EX model is external.

I recommend searching on pricewatch.com, where you'll find some pretty decent prices on Audigy cards. The only difference between the OEM and retail versions will be gold plated ports on retail.

I'm stuck with Canons too by the way. Funny they didn't manage to get firewire communication right with the most recent XL1s.

Luxo

As far as the Audigy goes, you can buy the breakout box for ANY Audigy unit as an accessory. I have a new Gateway P-4 and I'm just using the card as a fire wire port as I use an Echo MIA card for my audio (1/4" balanced in's & out and SPDIF in/out that WORKS for $200.).


As far as Firewire compatability for capturing video....I learned the HARD WAY that if you want trouble free captures (most of the time) get a SONY! JVC is dicey at best and Cannon is only a little better. The guys at B&H here in NYC WHO REALLY know their stuff will you the same thing. Worth the xtra bucks for reliability.

I've been able to successfully chain my GL1 on an ADS Pyro PCMCIA card dongle, with the camera connected to the 4 pin, and the hard drive connected to the 6 pin connector. Playback w/external preview doesn't work, but capture does. This is on a custom built laptop though.