The Newnex FireNEX-CAT5™ ! 100 Mbps 1394a Cat5 Repeater

100m and 100Mbps FireWire over Cat5! The Newnex FireNEX-CAT5™ is an IEEE1394b compliant repeater for long distance connection. The FireNEX-CAT5™ is capable of sending IEEE1394 signals across a regular Cat5 cable at a data rate of 100 Mbps up to 100 meters in length! The FireNEX-CAT5™ is contained within a small box slightly larger than a deck of cards, which makes it unobtrusive and compact, allowing you to place it on a desktop already crowded with other things.

The real power is in its connection through a regular Cat5, which has been widely used in the Ethernet world. Setting up the FireNEX-CAT5™ is quite simple. Using a Cat5 twisted pair cable for connection is without confusion or difficulty. It takes only minutes to setup, and there is no configuration necessary, like all IEEE1394 compliant hardware. The FireNEX-CAT5™ will work for both 1394b and 1394a signals at speeds up to 100 Mbps.

A FireNEX-CAT5™ SET includes two FireNEX-CAT5™ repeaters, and a manual. A DC power jack lets you connect an optional power supply, such as the FIRENEX-POWER. Whenever you purchase 2 FireNEX repeaters we consider it a set. Cat5 cable and FireWire cables are not included. The Newnex FireNEX-CAT5™ comes with one-year manufacturer warranty.

Specifications:

• One 1394a 6 pin copper connector
• One 1394b/Cat5 RJ45 connector
• Works with both PCs and Macs
• Low power consumpption: 3W (DC12V/0.25A)
• Full Duplex Data Rate at 100 Mbps
• Weight: 91g
• Compact size: 72x58x27 mm
• Cat5 Cable
• Reach up to 100 meters
• Compatiable with 1394a and 1394b standards
• RJ45 plug to RJ45 socket adapter, 6”
• DC Power Jack for optional self power

Note: The FireNEX-CAT5(tm) works at 100Mbps, which is ¼ the full speed of 400Mbps. Most devices still work, but a camera such as the iSight will only work at lower data rates. Some cameras may not function at S100 even with slower data rates. Most DV video cameras work fine at S100.

Our device doesn't use Ethernet. It uses Cat5/6 cable to transmit IEEE1394 between two points. You will need to provide your own Cat5/6 cable up to 100m long. Click here for a drawing that shows how to wire the CAT5 cable.

Canon Console 1.1 Software does not work with any of our repeaters. It was reported to us that Console 1.1 can work connecting through one hub but not two hubs.

Macintosh OS X has an issue with S100 devices. A work around is to put a hub between your Mac and our FireNEX-CAT5. Or use our FireNEX-CAT5-S400.

Pixelink Industrial Cameras will not work at S100. Point Grey cameras that we have tested have worked at S100 at low data rates.

There is a known issue with the FireNEX-CAT5 and Windows XP Service Pack 1. Upgrade to Service Pack 2 to use the FireNEX-CAT5.