Previously called an IEEE 1394 port, a FireWire port is similar to a USB port in that it can connect multiple types of devices that require faster data transmission speeds, such as digital video cameras, digital VCRs, color printers, scanners, digital cameras, and DVD drives, to a single connector. The different types of FireWire® adapters are cards, hubs, pen drive -style adapters, and cables. These different adapters can be used to convert between FireWire® 400 and 800 and universal serial bus (USB) connections. Types Of Firewire Ports IEEE 1394 is an interface standard for a serial bus for high-speed communications and isochronous real-time data transfer. It was developed in the late 1980s and early 1990s by Apple, which called it FireWire. The 1394 interface is also known by the brands i.LINK (Sony), and Lynx (Texas Instruments). Because FireWire 800 is backward-compatible with FireWire 400, there are a variety of adapters available to facilitate the combination of both standards on the same bus. There are also two types of FireWire 800 ports available: a 'bilingual' port accomodates both FireWire standards, while a b-only port accepts only a FireWire 800 connector. Previously called an IEEE 1394 port, a FireWire port is similar to a USB port in that it can connect multiple types of devices that require faster data transmission speeds, such as digital video cameras, digital VCRs, color printers, scanners, digital cameras, and DVD drives, to a single connector.

Having problems with your Firewire port not recognizing devices connected to it? Your not alone.
We found a problem when we tried to use the FireWire port on our computers that were running Windows 10 ( and also Windows 7 and 8). We were trying to import video into Vegas Pro and Adobe Premiere, and we quickly found out that we couldn’t import video into the computer via the FireWire port. We never had this problem way back when we were running Windows XP.
At first we thought this was a compatibility problem between Windows 10 (Windows 7 and 8) and Vegas and Adobe Premiere, but we quickly ruled that out when another program we have also had problems using the Firewire port.
However, we have the fix for this problem and it is with the Firewire driver (a.k.a. the 1394 Driver) that comes with Windows 10 (and Windows 7 and 8).
This article contains a lot of information for connecting Camcorders, Editing Deck, Scanners, Hard Drives and Audio equipment. Please read the article first, then go back and follow the instructions to correct the problem.

A Couple of Things You Need to Know Before We Get Started
There are Different Types of Firewire Ports
There are 3 different types of Firewire ports as shown below.
The FW 400 ports are 4 pin and 6 pin. These are the more common Firewire ports. These are also known as 1394a ports. The FW800 is also know as a 1394b port. If you need to buy a Firewire card for your computer, unless you have a specific need for a Firewire 800 port, I strongly recommend you buy a Firewire card with just Firewire 400 ports. See a little farther below as to what Firewire Cards (IEEE-1394 cards) I recommend.
The Firewire Port
You MUST have either a Firewire port on the computer's motherboard or you have to install a Firewire card into one of the expansion slots. Otherwise, the Firewire Drivers will not see the Firewire port, as the driver looks for a Firewire chipset.
If you don't have Firewire port on the motherboard, they you will need to add a Firewire 400 (or IEEE 1394a) expansion card into one of the slots on the motherboard. Firewire cards are not expensive and they should only run you about $20 to $25. If the Firewire card comes with drivers, do NOT install them. You will need to install the Microsoft 1394 Firewire driver from this web page.
Below is a photo of two Firewire cards that I strongly recommend to use. They are basically identical, one has 3 ports and the other has 4 ports. They are sold under various brand names on Amazon. These are the cards I use here at Studio 1 Productions.
You may find some Firewire cards being sold that cost up to $60+ dollars. Don't waste you money on those, the $20 to $25 cards work just as well, in fact the less expensive ones actually worked better and they are pictured below.
Note: You may have people tell you that you need a Firewire Card or IEEE 1394 card with a TI chipset. That is not true anymore. I have tested over a dozen Firewire cards and the cards with the VIA chipset, like shown below actually worked better than the couple of card with the TI chipset. The TI chipset are found on the more expensive cards, but they don't seem to work very well in Windows 10.
The above cards have both a Firewire 4 pin and 6 pin ports.
When you buy a Firewire card try to find one that looks the the photos above. Remember, they are sold under various brand names.
I tested the 12 different Firewire cards with a Sony DCR-VX2100 camcorder, a Sony DSR-30 MiniDV/DVCam editing deck and a Panasonic AG-DV2000 editing deck. The Firewire cards (IEEE 1394 cards) via the VIA chipset worked with all 3 devices with no problems.
However, the few cards that had the TI chipset, they would not connect to the Panasonic AG-DV2000 or the Sony DCR-VX2100. No matter what I tried, I just could not get them to work with these devices. They would only connect to the Sony DSR-30 editing deck. The TI chipset cards gave me so many problems, so please stay away from them and only get the VIA chipset card.
What about a Firewire to Thunderbolt adapter?
Using these adapters will not give you a real Firewire port that can be seen by the Firewire driver. It will only show up as a Thunderbolt port in Device Manager and not as a Firewire port. As I stated above, the Firewire driver looks for a Firewire chipset on either the motherboard or on an expansion card that is plugged into one of the slots on the motherboard..
I have seen some YouTube videos showing that you can use a Apple Brand Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter and then another Apple brand Thunderbolt 2 to Firewire adapter to capture video from a MiniDV camera using a program called HDVSplit. I have talked to about 14 different people on various forums about capturing MiniDV footage this way and only 2 people said they were able to get this to work, everyone else were unsuccessful. I recently tried using these adapters myself and I could not get it work. So I don't recommend wasting your money and time on Thunderbolt adapters as a way to capture video from a MiniDV camcorder or MiniDV editing deck, they don't work for that.
Most video capture software or audio processing software or scanner software need to work directly with the Firewire driver and the Firewire driver will never see a Firewire port chipset since it is not built-in to the motherboard or installed in an expansion slot.
With all of that said, I have seen people who have used the above adapters to connect an external Firewire hard drive to a computer via the Thunderbolt port, with success. That is because, Windows see it as a Thunderbolt device and not as a Firewire device and the Firewire driver is NOT involved.
FireWire to USB Adapter Issues - Do NOT Use. These adapters do NOT work for video and audio transfers. FireWire transfers data as a steady stream, while a USB connection transfers data as packets and thus they are not compatible. While there are Firewire to USB hubs (not adapters as shown below), these are more expensive than a FireWire card for your computer and some users have complained that the hubs are problematic.
Users have reported that they have electrically damaged the Firewire port on their camera or electrically damaged the USB port on their computer when attempting to use a Firewire to USB adapter. Please, do NOT use a Firewire to USB adapter!
Firewire Ports that are built-in to the Motherboard.
If your motherboard has a Firewire port, you will need to go into the BIOS and look for a setting that says something about the Firewire Port or IEEE 1394 or 1394 port. You will need to make sure this is set to Enable or ON.
If your motherboard has a Firewire port, but you are not going to use it and you are going to use an IEEE 1394 Firewire expansion card, then you will still need to go into the BIOS and set it for Disable or OFF.
Video Capturing Software
Check with your editing software to see if it still supports capturing video through the Firewire port. Some software only allow you to work with footage that comes from an SD card or from the Hard Drive. We use Vegas Pro and Vegas Movie Studio and both of those software packages support capturing video through the Firewire port.
Make sure what ever video capture program you are using, that you turn off the Device Control in the video capture program. If it is not turned off, you may run into problems trying to capture the video footage. Below is an example of the Vegas Pro and Vegas Movie Studio video capture software and where to disable DV device control.
Using a Firewire connections with a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
Depending on the version of the software you are using, you will need a Firewire port on the motherboard or a Firewire card plugging into the expansion slot. Depending the the software you may also need a special driver for the audio software, in addition to the Firewire Driver. Farther down in the article, under Step 13, I show you have to check to see if the Device Manage will see the connected audio device.
Using a Firewire connection with a Photo an Slide Scanners
If you have a scanner, such as a Nikon scanner, you may find it will not work with Windows 10, even if you have a built-in Firewire port or a Firewire expansion card. The problem here is the scanner driver will not work under Windows 10. However, you can try this piece of software: VueScan Scanner Software. Download the demo version of the software and try it out. This have solved problems for people using Canon, Nikon and a host of other scanners that are connected through the Firewire port. Don't worry if the scanner doesn't show up in the Device Manager, as long as the device manager sees the Firewire Driver, the above scanner software should find it.
Mouse Clicks
In this article, when we say to Click or Left Click, you will use the Left mouse button, as shown below. When we say Right Click, you want to click the Right mouse button, as shown below.

For Windows 10 and Windows 8 you will need to download the Legacy driver from below in the section marked The Fix for Windows 10 and Windows 8. Here we will show you step by step instructions, along with screen shots on downloading, installing and setting up the Firewire Drives.
For Windows 7 users, please skip down to the section titled 'The Fix for Windows 7'.

The Fix for Windows 10 and Windows 8
With Windows 10 and 8, Microsoft left out the Firewire Legacy driver version. Please follow these steps exactly. In fact, you might want to read through them first, the go back and follow each step. I have provided screen shots for each step. If you are running Windows 8, the steps are exactly the same for Windows 10.

Step 1
Now download theMicrosoft Firewire 1394 Legacy Driver Installer and remember where you downloaded the file to. Then once you have downloaded the installer, follow the instructions below.

Find where you downloaded the file to. It will have the filename 1394_OHCI_LegacyDriver.msi as shown above.

Step 2
Then RIGHT click on 1394_OHCI_LegacyDriver.msi Next, click on Install as shown below. This will load the drivers to C:Program Files (x86)1394 OHCI Compliant Host Controller (Legacy) folder. NOTE: It will only take a second or two to install and it may not show you any messages when it is done installing.

Step 3
Go to the folder C:Program Files (x86)1394 OHCI Compliant Host Controller (Legacy), and open the folder.

Types Of Hdmi Ports On Laptop

Step 4
Once you open the 1394 OHCI Compliant Host Controller (Legacy) folder, you will see two folders. One is the x64_driver folder and the other is the x86_driver folder. Most people are running a 64 bit systems under Windows 10, so you will need to open the x64_driver folder. If you are running a 32 bit system, then you will need to open the x86_folder.

Step 5
Once you have opened the correct folder, again most people will be opening the x64_driver folder, you will see four files as shown below. RIGHT click on the Legacy1394.inf file and then click on install. This will install the Firewire 1394 Legacy Drivers. NOTE: It will only take a second or two to install and then it returns you to the folder with no message that it has installed. But, don't worry it has installed.

Step 6
Open the Control Panel and click on Device Manager. Look for the line that says IEEE 1394 host controller.
NOTE: If you don’t see Device Manager listed in the Control Panel, click on View By: Category on the top right side of the Control Panel Window. Then Click on Large Icons you should now have a list of items in the Control Panel and click on Device Manager.
NOTE: If you do not see IEEE 1394 host controller listed in the Device Manager.
1. If you are using a Firewire Port that is built into the motherboard, then go into the system BIOS and look for a setting that says something about the Firewire Port or IEEE 1394 or 1394 port. You will need to make sure this is set to Enable or ON. Save the BIOS settings and reboot the computer. Now check to see if the IEEE 1394 host controller shows up in the Device Manager. If it does NOT, then you probably have something wrong with the Firewire Port on the motherboard. You will need to purchase a Firewire Expansion Card that plugs into one of the slots on the motherboard.
2. If you are using a 1394 Firewire expansion card, then you will still need to go into the BIOS and set it for Disable or OFF. Save the BIOS settings and reboot the computer. Next, check to see if the IEEE 1394 Host Controller is listed in the Device Manager. If it is NOT listed, then try moving the Firewire Expansion Card to another slot. Make sure you power off the computer before moving the Firewire card to another expansion slot. Now see if it shows up in the Device Manager. If it still does not show up, make sure the Firewire has the VIA chipset. Sometimes Firewire cards that have the TI chipset will not be seen in the Device Manger and you will not be able to use it. If you have a Firewire with the VIA chipset, you make have a defective Firewire card. Try purchasing another card and see if it works.
Below is a sample of what the Device Manager will show.

Step 7
Look down the list for IEEE 1394 host controllers and click on the arrow next to it. You will see the name of your 1394 OHCI Compliant Host Controller like shown below.
RIGHT click on the name of your 1394 OHCI Compliant Host Controller and click on Update Driver.

Step 8
Then select Browse my computer for driver software. As shown below.

Step 9
Select Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer as shown below. Then click on Next.

Step 10
A list of 1394 drivers will be shown. Select the 1394 OHCI compliant Host Controller (Legacy), then click next as shown below.

What Does Firewire Look Like

Step 11
Now you should see the screen below, saying Windows has successfully updated your drivers.

Step 12
When you check 1394 OHCI Compliant Host Controller (Legacy) as shown below.
NOTE: If you don't see the Legacy driver as shown below, you may need to reboot your computer and then check the Device Manager again.

Step 13
Connecting different Firewire device to your computer and verifying the connection with Device Manager.
I have three different examples below, depending on the type of device your are connecting to the Firewire port.
First Example:Connecting a Camcorder or MiniDV editing deck. (Also a flat bed scanner, slide or photo scanner)
Connect the Camcorder, MiniDV deck or scanner to the Firewire port using a Firewire cable. Once you are connected, power on the device.
Go back into the Device Manager. If you have connected a camcorder, a editing deck or a scanner with a Firewire port, then look for Imaging devices as shown below. Click on the arrow next to it and it will show you what is connected.
NOTE: If it doesn't show any thing under Image device, then you are not connect to a Firewire device. Check the following things:
1 Look under other devices that are listed to see if the device, such as a scanner, shows up.
2. Make sure your Firewire cable is plugged in all the way at both ends.
3. Try a different Firewire port.
4. Try a different Firewire cable.
5. Make sure the device you are connecting to the Firewire cable is powered on.
6. If you are attaching a scanner to the Firewire port, you most likely need the software from this website: VueScan Scanner Software. Download the demo version of the software and try it out.
Second Example:Connecting a Hard Drive with a Firewire port.
Connect the Hard Drive to the Firewire port using a Firewire cable. Once, your connected, the power on the device.
Go back into the Device Manager. Click on the arrow next to Disk Drives. This will show you all of the disk drives connection to the computer, including the external Firewire Hard Drive as shown below.
NOTE: If the Hard Drive doesn't show up under Disk Drives, then check the following things:
1 Look under other devices that are listed.
2. Make sure your Firewire cable is plugged in all the way at both ends.
3. Try a different Firewire port.
4. Try a different Firewire cable.
5. Make sure the device you are connecting to the Firewire cable is powered on.
Third Example:Connecting an Audio Device with a Firewire port.
This example shows connecting an M-Audio NVR-10 Firewire port using a Firewire cable. Once, your connected, the power on the device.
Go back into the Device Manager. Click on the arrow next to Sound, Video and Game Controllers. This should show you the Audio device connected to the computer. In the example below, it shows you the M-Audio NRV-10 connected.
Also, it show up under Other Devices, as shown below. Depending on the audio equipment you are connecting will depend on where it shows up. Note: Depending on the audio device you are trying to connect, you may need install an audio driver for the device along with the Legacy Firewire driver.
NOTE: If the Audio device doesn't show up under Sound, Video and Game controller or under Other Devices, then check the following things:
1. See if it needs a separate audio drive for that specific piece of equipment.
2. Look under other devices that are listed.
3. Make sure your Firewire cable is plugged in all the way at both ends.
4. Try a different Firewire port.
5. Try a different Firewire cable.
6. Make sure the device you are connecting to the Firewire cable is powered on.

NOTE: Over the years I have seen twice were a major Windows has reset the Firewire drive back to the original driver. This has not happened in the last 5 years, so it is nothing to worry about. I just wanted to mention it, in case it should ever happen again. If for some reason, the Firewire port stops working, just go into Device Manager and make sure the IEEE 1394 device drive is still set to Legacy.

The Fix for Windows 7
For Windows 7 simply replace the new 1394 driver with the Legacy driver that comes with Windows 7.
Below is the step by step instructions on how to install the Legacy driver so you won‘t have any problems either:
Click Start
Then click on Control Panel
Click on Device Manager
Note:If you don’t see Device Manager listed, click on View By: Category on the top right side of the Control Panel Window. Then Click on Large Icons you should now have a list of items in the Control Panel and click on Device Manager.
Under the Device Manager, look down the list for IEEE 1394 Bus Host Controllers and Double Click on it.
It should display something like - 1394 OHCI Compliant Host Controller
Note: If it has the word (Legacy) behind it, you are already setup and you can just exit out.
Next, double click on the 1394 OHCI Compliant Host Controller
A window will popup saying 1394 OHCI Compliant Host Controller Properties
Click on the Driver Tab
Then look down in the widow and click on Update Driver
Then select - Browse my computer for driver software
Next select - Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer
It will bring up a list of drivers.
Click on 1394 OHCI Compliant Host Controller (Legacy)
NOTE: It is important that you select the one with (Legacy) after it, just like shown above.
Then click Next
Once it installs the 1394 OHCI Compliant Host Controller (Legacy),
it will say Windows has successfully updated your driver software.
Click on the Close button and exit out of all of the other windows.
Then Reboot your computer.
You will now be able to import video via the FireWire port on your computer.
If you are still having a problem importing video after you have switched the FireWire driver to Legacy, then the problem may be with the FireWire port. This is a common problem. The FireWire port will work with an external driver, but it won't let you import video from your video camera. Most people report this problem with Dell computer, but it does happen with other brands, even brand new computers. This problem is usually with the FireWire port that is built into the motherboard.
The fix is simple:
1. Install a FireWire card into one of the open slots in the computer
2. Using the instructions above, set the drive to Legacy.
3. Reboot the computer.
4. Then connect the FireWire cable from the video camera, into the new FireWire port that you just added.
This fixes the problem 99% of the time. FireWire cards are not the expensive, they run from $20 and up, depending on any extra features the card may have.
NOTE: We have noticed that when Microsoft has issued certain updates, it can cause Windows 7 to switch back to use the original 1394 OHCI Compliant Host Controller driver. If you notice the FireWire device is transferring slowly or not working, then just repeat the above steps and reinstall the Legacy driver.

Troubleshooting Section

You Can't Capture Video or Control the Video Camera
We have run into to this problem ourselves.
1. Make sure the software you are using still works with Firewire capture. I know that the latest version of Adobe Premiere Elements no longer support video capture through the Firewire Ports.
2. Some video editing or video capture software no longer supports device or camera control through the Firewire port. We have this problem with our video editing software. So here is what we do. Make sure the camera or playback deck it connected to the computer. Then press the record or video capture button in the software. Then manually press play on the camera. You should be able to capture the video now. If for some reason you can't, then you will need to check the software settings or see if the software you are using has a user forum, and ask for help there.
Dell Computers
Note: I received an email from Mike Tilka and he was having a problem getting the FireWire port working on his Dell XPS 8100 and on an Gateway computer with the drivers from above. He said he needed to get the driver from this link for his computers:
http://www.driverscape.com/manufacturers/dell/laptops-desktops/studio-xps-8100/134
If you have a Dell or a Gateway computer and the above fix doesn't work for you, then you might want to try the above link.
This fixes the problem 99% of the time. FireWire cards are not the expensive, they run from $20 and up, depending on any extra features the card may have.

Firewire Cable Types

Types Of Firewire Cables