My question has three parts:
1. Is it possible to connect an Apple iPod to a Sony VAIO computer
using the iLink port?
Yes I have seen nothing to state to the contrary. You may have to
put the iPod into a Forced Firewire Mode. This changes the power
strategy so that it is not trying to draw power from the 4-pin
connector.
- Hold down the play and menu buttons until it restarts.
- When you see the Apple logo, hold down the forward and back
buttons until you see the Firewire logo.
- Plug your Firewire cable into the iPod then to the Firewire port on
your PCI Firewire card.
Some of the Ipod sites are recommending a software package by the
name of XPOD.
2. The iPod is supposed to be able to get power and charge
automatically through the 1394 cable (a six pin cable i think). When
I looked at a Sony VAIO laptop; it appeared to have a 4-pin iLink
connector and a 2-pin power cable separate (but right next to) each
other. Is there any way to hook up the Sony VAIO to an iPod and get
it to charge automatically from the cable?
No. The issue you are having is that the Sony iLink is a 4pin
connector as you said. So you will not have the added function of
charging the iPod while downloading it. This is a good and a bad
thing. Bad, because you are going to have to carry a secondary
charger with you while traveling. Good, because iPod left plugged
into your computer will keep the hard drive continuously spinning.
This leads to a heating issue so you are not going to want to leave it
plugged in anyways.
2. What kind of cable is necessary for that?
The one viable option is to use a Firewire hub. This will allow
you to use a 6pin Firewire connector for you ipod and the 4-pin
connector back to your computer.
Additionaly resources:
Mediafour Corporation Products
http://www.mediafour.com/products/xpod/
Slashdot | Apple releases iPod
http://slashdot.org/articles/01/10/23/1816257.shtml
MacSlash: Search sony vaio ilink ipod
http://www.macslash.org/search.pl?query=sony+vaio+ilink+ipod
Search Strategy:
Sony Vaio Ilink Ipod
Ilink Ipod
Sony Vaio
Ipod
Well as you can see anytime you take an Apple component and try to
use it in the PC world things are not as simple as they seem. It will
depend on how much you wish to invest as to which route you want to
take in getting your IPod hooked to you Vaio.
Good luck and let me know how it turns out,
Morningstar |
Request for Answer Clarification by
lukenosek-ga
on
11 Nov 2002 18:03 PST
1. Thanks for the idea for forced firewire - this is a good backup
strategy. Really useful in case I need to hook up to any computers
with the wrong firewire card / cable.
I want to MAKE SURE this will work before I go buy the ipod and the
sony vaio (thousands of dollars).
2. Hooking up a seperate charger would be a real problem. I'm taking
a one year trip around the world and I hate buying power adapters in
each country. One thing that made the ipod great (used to have one at
home) was that I could just plug it into my pc and not worry about the
charger.
A powerered hub as a solution would be an even greater hassle, because
now I have to have yet another charger with me.
Maybe there is a solution - on one the most recent sony laptops, I saw
a small 2 pin power jack right next to the firewire jack, and I though
I saw a 6 pin firewire cable pluged into both of those jacks
(2+4=6pin). I might have imagined the cable, but it seems it could
concievablely exist. otherwise why would sony build a laptop with
those two jacks next to each other?
Could you find such a thing?
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Clarification of Answer by
morningstar2000-ga
on
11 Nov 2002 19:10 PST
Dear luke -
Since you currently dont have either product I would talk with sony
they had 3 different ilink options on their site when I went to see
what was available. I think you would need to talk to one of the
support reps to see if any have the 6 pin cable but keep in mind the
disk spin issue. Dont leave it hooked up overnight. You will end up
wearing the system down long before its time. I did see an
internation power adaptor set. It was 39 dollars I believe. I will
do the research and get that posted back here for you in a comment or
in the answer. Again I know its not the exact answer you want but
have you ever though of a Powerbook? Then none of this would be an
issue.
Will find the power connection kit.
Morningstar
ALso as the other researcher reported the ipod does come with a
charger. So there would be no additional expense except for the
adaptors that I assume you are going to have to have for you laptop
anyways?
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Clarification of Answer by
morningstar2000-ga
on
11 Nov 2002 19:38 PST
Luke -
Here is the accessories pack that I mentioned previously.
iPod Accessories - Penn Computer Connection
http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/computerstore/core/peripherals/mp3/ipod_acc.html
" The World Travel Adapter Kit includes a set of six AC plugs with
prongs that fit different electrical outlets around the world. For
world travelers, this is the perfect kit to ensure power connectivity
in most countries you may travel to. The Kit is designed to work with
(and requires) the white portable power adapter that ships with iPod,
iBook, or PowerBook G4. The AC plugs included in the World Travel
Adapter Kit directly support outlets in North America, Japan, China,
United Kingdom, Continental Europe, Korea, Australia, and Hong Kong. "
35.00 Might be the cheapest way to solve the issue of power for both
pieces of equipment.
Good Luck,
Morningstar
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