Firewire - charge and synch at same time?

[Shadow]

I just read a thread on here and someone stated that if you are a Windows user you should get the USB adapter so you can charge the iPod (via AC adapter) and sync (via USB) at the same time. The post stated that with Firewire you can only synch or charge and cannot do both at the same time. He said if you have Firewire you'll have to keep changing the Firewire plug to switch from charging to synching.

Is this true? I just ordered a Firewire board thinking that it'd allow me to charge and sync (both through the Firewire) without having to even use an AD adapter. I don't want to have to keep swapping cords around.

Please, somebody clear this up for me.

[Macavity]

All I use is the supplied firewire cable with my iPod and WinXP. It syncs and it charges.

[Shadow]

You don't have to switch your cables around or anything to get it to do both? It does both (synch and charge) at the same time?

I'm running WinXP too and I'll be getting an iPod with a dock.

[dordale]

Shadow--

There are two types of firewire cards for pcs (powered and unpowered). The powered ones will charge your iPod when it is connected to the computer, the unpowered ones will not.

I think most firewire cards for desktops are the powered variety. Firewire cards for laptops are frequently unpowered. The powered cards have the standard six pin connector, while the unpowered cards have only four pins, making it necessary to use the six to four pin adapter that was supplied with your iPod. (I think there may be a few six pin firwire cards that don't supply power, but I also think these are fairly rare). I'm sure someone on this board will correct me if I'm wrong!

Happy podding--
dordale:)

[Shadow]

Thanks for the info dordale! I just checked and the card I'm getting (Adaptec 4300) does have the 6-pin ports. I got this from Adaptec's website (http://www.adaptec.com/worldwide/support/techspecs.html?sess=no&language=English+UK&prodkey=AFW-4300_UK&cat=%2fProduct%2fAFW-4300&fromarea=prod).