Will using adapters to convert from FW400 to FW800 to TB degrade quality?

[kat.hayes]

Using a 2015 27-inch iMac: I need to use an older model analog to digital converter to capture some old VHS tapes. It only has a Firewire 400 port on it so I need to go from a Firewire 400 cable into a Firewire 800 adapter connected to a firewire 800 to thunderbolt adapter. I know that these adapters exist.

1. will doing this degrade the quality of my video in anyway by being converted from FW400 to FW800 to TB?

Thanks.

 

[cm0ski]

Using a 2015 27-inch iMac: I need to use an older model analog to digital converter to capture some old VHS tapes. It only has a Firewire 400 port on it so I need to go from a Firewire 400 cable into a Firewire 800 adapter connected to a firewire 800 to thunderbolt adapter. I know that these adapters exist.

1. will doing this degrade the quality of my video in anyway by being converted from FW400 to FW800 to TB?

Thanks.

Theoretically, there should not be any loss in the quality of the video. The encoding should be happening on the converter.

I have seen success in other applications by using the Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire 800 adapter and a FireWire 800 to FireWire 400 cable.

 

[posguy99]

1. will doing this degrade the quality of my video in anyway by being converted from FW400 to FW800 to TB?

No, it's a digital pathway. There's no analog conversion step other than IN the ADC you're trying to support.