Design
Product colour	Green
Mean time between failures (MTBF)	149905 h
Internal
Features
Chipset	Texas Instruments - XIO2213B
Data transfer rate (max)	0.8 Gbit/s
Logistics data
Harmonized System (HS) code	84733020
Products per master (outer) case	50 pc(s)
Master (outer) case width	355 mm
Master (outer) case length	681 mm
Master (outer) case height	317 mm
Packaging data
Cables included	FireWire
Package width	148 mm
Package depth	213 mm
Package height	41 mm
Package weight	212 g
Mounting brackets included
Drivers included
Manual
Ports & interfaces
Host interface	PCIe
Output interface	Firewire 800 / 400
Expansion card standard	PCIe 1.1
FireWire 400 ports quantity	1
FireWire 800 ports quantity	2
System requirements
Windows operating systems supported	Windows 10, Windows 10 Education, Windows 10 Education x64, Windows 10 Enterprise, Windows 10 Enterprise x64, Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Home x64, Windows 10 IOT Core, Windows 10 Pro, Windows 10 Pro x64, Windows 10 x64, Windows 11, Windows 11 x64, Windows 2000, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows 7, Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 7 Enterprise x64, Windows 7 Home Basic, Windows 7 Home Basic x64, Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Home Premium x64, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Professional x64,
Mac operating systems supported	Mac OS X 10.10 Yosemite, Mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan, Mac OS X 10.12 Sierra, Mac OS X 10.13 High Sierra, Mac OS X 10.14 Mojave, Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, Mac OS X 10.7 Lion, Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks, Mac OS X 11.0 Big Sur, Mac OS X 12.0 Monterey, Mac OS X 13.0 Ventura
Server operating systems supported	Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019
Linux operating systems supported
Technical details
Compliance certificates	CE, RoHS
Sustainability compliance
Weight & dimensions
Width	18 mm
Depth	85 mm
Height	120 mm
Weight	48 g

The StarTech.com PEX1394B3 is a PCI Express expansion card for integrating FireWire interfaces into desktop computers. It features two FireWire 800 ports (IEEE1394b, 9-pin) and one FireWire 400 port (IEEE1394a, 6-pin), ensuring broad compatibility with various FireWire devices such as DV camcorders, external hard drives, or digital cameras. The card is installed into a PCI Express slot, providing a high-speed connection for data transfers at up to 800 Mbit/s via the FireWire 800 ports and 400 Mbit/s via the FireWire 400 port.

Applications

The card is suitable for use in workstations, media centers, or professional video and audio production systems where fast and reliable connections to external storage devices or cameras are required. It enables direct connection of FireWire devices to systems lacking an integrated FireWire interface, particularly older or specialized computers with PCI Express slots. Support for Plug-and-Play and Hot-Swap functions simplifies installation and operation without requiring a system restart.

Features and Specifications in Detail

The card is based on an onboard PCI Express chipset (Texas Instruments XIO2213B), enabling a direct connection between the PCI Express bus and the FireWire ports. Unlike cards with bridge chips, this results in more efficient and reliable data transfer. The card includes a low-profile bracket, allowing installation in compact or half-height enclosures. An internal power connector (LP4, 4-pin, Molex) is also provided to supply power directly to FireWire devices with higher power requirements.

Technology Explained Simply

The FireWire 800 interface (IEEE1394b) supports maximum data rates of 800 Mbit/s and is backward compatible with FireWire 400 (IEEE1394a). The FireWire 400 interface offers a maximum transfer rate of 400 Mbit/s and is compatible with older devices. The card complies with the PCI Express 1.1 standard, designed for systems supporting at least one PCI Express x1 slot. The MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) is 149,905 hours, indicating high reliability. The card is designed for operating temperatures from 0°C to 70°C and can be operated at relative humidity levels from 0 to 90%.

Compatibility and Accessories

The card is compatible with a wide range of operating systems, including Windows 10, 11, 2000, 7, 8, 8.1 as well as Windows Server 2003, 2008 R2, 2012, 2016, 2019. For Mac operating systems, macOS 10.6 to 13.0 (including Yosemite, El Capitan, Sierra, High Sierra, Mojave, Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura) are supported. Linux systems from version 3.5.x (LTS versions only) are also compatible. The package includes a FireWire cable, the low-profile bracket, a software CD with drivers, and an operating manual.

Installation and Mounting

Installation is performed by inserting the card into an available PCI Express slot. The included bracket is used according to the enclosure height. Driver installation is done via the supplied software CD, supporting a typical installation. For custom driver settings, additional software is required. The card is designed for use in standard and low-profile enclosures.

Operational Advantages

The combination of two FireWire 800 and one FireWire 400 port provides flexibility for connecting various devices. The single-chip design ensures a stable and high-performance connection without additional bridge chips. Hot-Swap support allows connecting and disconnecting devices during operation. The card is equipped with CE and RoHS certification, confirming compliance with European safety and environmental standards.

Product Color and Design

The card is green and has dimensions of 85 mm (depth) × 18 mm (width) × 120 mm (height). The weight is 48 g. The card is designed for use in computer enclosures that support a PCI Express slot.