PCI Express FireWire Card Adapter StarTech PEX1394B3 — 3 Port (2x 1394b, 1x 1394a), PCIe 1.1, TI XIO2213B

The PCI Express FireWire Card Adapter StarTech PEX1394B3 is an internal PCIe 1.1 expansion card that provides three external IEEE 1394 ports: two FireWire 800 (1394b, 9‑pin) ports and one FireWire 400 (1394a, 6‑pin) port. Based on the Texas Instruments XIO2213B chipset, the card supports transfer rates up to 0.8 Gbit/s and installs in a standard PCI Express slot to add native FireWire connectivity to desktop computers and workstations. The compact green card is designed for straightforward integration into systems that require legacy high-speed peripheral connections such as DV camcorders, external drives and audiovisual equipment.

Advantages

The adapter uses a native single‑chip PCIe implementation for direct FireWire support, providing efficient throughput and lower latency compared with bridge‑based solutions. Two 1394b ports deliver FireWire 800 speeds for high‑bandwidth devices while the 1394a port ensures backward compatibility with older FireWire 400 peripherals. The card is compact, lightweight, and fits standard PCI Express slots, making it suitable for desktop upgrades without modifying system layouts.

Suitable for

• Connecting DV camcorders and video capture devices for transfer and editing
• Attaching external FireWire hard drives and RAID enclosures
• Integrating audio interfaces and professional AV equipment that use IEEE 1394
• Enabling legacy peripheral support on modern PCIe‑equipped desktops and workstations

Key specifications

• Interface: PCI Express 1.1 host interface
• Ports: 2 × IEEE 1394b (FireWire 800, 9‑pin) external, 1 × IEEE 1394a (FireWire 400, 6‑pin) external
• Chipset: Texas Instruments XIO2213B
• Maximum transfer rate: up to 0.8 Gbit/s (FireWire 800)
• Form factor: internal PCIe expansion card, compact design
• Colour: green
• Weight: 0.048 kg

How to use

Power down the computer and unplug it from the mains. Open the computer case, locate an available PCI Express slot and insert the PEX1394B3 card firmly into the slot until seated. Secure the card to the chassis with the bracket screw and close the case. Reconnect power and boot the system. Install any required drivers for your operating system if not automatically recognized. After installation, connect FireWire devices to the external 1394b or 1394a ports as appropriate and verify device detection in the operating system.

Usage recommendations

Use quality shielded FireWire cables of the correct type (9‑pin for 1394b, 6‑pin for 1394a) and avoid using passive adapters for applications requiring full FireWire 800 bandwidth. For sustained high‑speed transfers, connect devices directly to the card rather than daisy‑chaining multiple peripherals when possible.