Kramer Electronics
Kramer Electronics VS-30FW 3-Port FireWire 800 Repeater Hub
★★★★★
Extend Your FireWire Network with the Kramer VS-30FW Repeater/HubThe Kramer VS-30FW is a high-performance bidirectional hub/repeater designed for 9-pin FireWire 800 (IEEE 1394b) signals. It expands the number of available ports and extends the distance of FireWire cable runs, ensuring reliable da...
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Overview
Extend Your FireWire Network with the Kramer VS-30FW Repeater/Hub
The Kramer VS-30FW is a high-performance bidirectional hub/repeater designed for 9-pin FireWire 800 (IEEE 1394b) signals. It expands the number of available ports and extends the distance of FireWire cable runs, ensuring reliable data transfer.
- Type: FireWire 800 Repeater / Hub
- Ports: 3
- Compatibility: 9-Pin FireWire 800 (IEEE 1394b)
- Function: Bidirectional Hub/Repeater
Key Features
Ports - 3 bilingual IEEE 1394b 800Mbps (S800)
Range - Doubles FireWire cable range from 4.5m (14.75ft) to 9m (29.5ft). Multiple units can be cascaded to extend the range to up to 72m (236ft)
Hot Swapping - Supports Plug-and-Play
Transfer Rates - 100, 200, 400 and 800Mbps
ESD Protection - Incorporates Kramer's Spark-Guard Pro signal protection circuitry to help protect against EDS (electrostatic discharge) which can damage digital equipment
Specifications
Ports
3 bilingual IEEE 1394b 800Mbps (S800)
Range Extension
Doubles FireWire cable range from 4.5m (14.75ft) to 9m (29.5ft)
Cascading Capability
Up to 72m (236ft) with multiple units
Hot Swapping Support
Yes
Plug-and-Play Support
Yes
Transfer Rates
100, 200, 400, 800Mbps
Protection
ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) with Spark-Guard Pro circuitry
Pros & Cons
👍 Pros
- Extends FireWire cable range from 4.5m (14.75ft) to 9m (29.5ft), doubling the effective distance.
- Multiple units can be cascaded, allowing for an extended range of up to 72m (236ft) in total.
- Supports hot-swapping and Plug-and-Play functionality for easy connection and disconnection of devices.
- Incorporates Kramer's Spark-Guard Pro signal protection circuitry, offering ESD protection for connected digital equipment.
- Provides versatile transfer rates including 100, 200, 400, and 800Mbps to accommodate various FireWire devices.
👎 Cons
- This is a FireWire 800 (IEEE 1394b) repeater hub, which is a legacy technology and may not be compatible with newer systems lacking FireWire ports.
- Only has 3 ports, which may be limiting for users needing to connect a larger number of FireWire devices simultaneously.
- While it extends FireWire range, the maximum cascaded range of 72m (236ft) might still be insufficient for very large installations without additional repeaters.
- Primarily serves as a repeater and hub, it does not convert FireWire to other modern interface types like USB or Thunderbolt.
- The functionality is specific to FireWire 800, and it may not support older FireWire 400 (IEEE 1394a) devices without proper adapters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary function of the Kramer Electronics VS-30FW?
The Kramer Electronics VS-30FW functions as a 3-Port FireWire 800 Repeater Hub, designed to extend and manage FireWire 800 connections.
What FireWire transfer rates does this hub support?
This repeater hub supports FireWire transfer rates of 100, 200, 400, and 800Mbps, accommodating various device speeds.
How many FireWire 800 ports are available on the VS-30FW?
The VS-30FW is equipped with 3 bilingual IEEE 1394b 800Mbps (S800) ports, offering multiple connection points.
Can multiple VS-30FW units be used together to further extend range?
Yes, multiple Kramer VS-33FW units can be cascaded, allowing the FireWire cable range to be extended to up to 72m (236ft).
Does this FireWire hub support hot swapping?
Yes, the Kramer Electronics VS-30FW supports Plug-and-Play, which implies compatibility with hot swapping devices without needing to restart.
What protective features does the VS-30FW include?
This unit incorporates Kramer's Spark-Guard Pro signal protection circuitry, designed to help protect against ESD (electrostatic discharge) damage to digital equipment.
How much does the Kramer Electronics VS-30FW extend the FireWire cable range?
The VS-30FW can double the standard FireWire cable range from 4.5m (14.75ft) to 9m (29.5ft) with a single unit.
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