Hi Justin, I'm not sure there is a definitive answer to your question, because for most model computers multiple suppliers are used, so there is no guaranteeing that an answer from one user will ensure that the model you buy will have the (older) Texas Instruments chipset. Here's a relevant recent post (e.g. last week) to the ProSound web site that contains links to help you follow up your answer:
<begin quote> As you mentioned, Apple has indeed changed their Firewire chipset in some models to the LSI/Agere FireWire chip-set with which many have seen with whom, including audio interface stalwart RME where the issues has been extensively documented in their forum. There has been a great deal of discussion in the RME forum which ended in a conclusion that when using Mac’s containing the LSI/Agere chipset their audio devices only work when a FireWire drive is placed between the audio interface and the computer. It’s an odd problem, but I can honestly say that you wouldn’t be the first. While I can’t confirm that your computer has this chipset, all the information you need is contained in these lengthy forum posts: http://bit.ly/MacFW and http://bit.ly/MacFW2 and http://bit.ly/MacFW3 <end quote> The three links provide more information about work-arounds, including the order in which you should connect to devices, to deal with this problem which has been stated as: "Apple for the first time uses a PCIe to FW controller in the new iMacs, from Agere. Obviously this one needs some driver optimizations to operate as good as the formerly used PCI TI chips." You can also go directly to the RME forum firewire thread page: http://www.rme-audio.de/forum/viewforum.php?id=4 which has sticky threads for "Workaround for Fireface/iMac problem" and "Hardware Alert: FireWire solutions with Agere FW chip" and read some of the discussion. Also, I'm not sure how bad the current problem is; there was one early batch of LSI/Agere chipsets (revision 6) that really broke things, but that was a while ago, and I think most recent devices using this chip may be at revision 8. An old post (from the first link) summarized this as: <begin quote> FireWire connection problems with Apple computers: 1. TI chipsets (older iMacs, Macbook, Macbook Pro): no problems 2. LSI PCIe chipsets (newer and current iMacs, Macbook, Macbook Pro): - FW643 (FW800, PCI ID 5901) and FW533 (FW400, PCI ID 5903) Revision 6: connection problems, stop after playback starts - solved with a FW repeater (e. g. Lindy cable, external Lacie FW HD) - FW643 (FW800, PCI ID 5901) and FW533 (FW400, PCI ID 5903) Revision 7: no problems Revision 7 Chipsets are also identified as: FW643E and FW533E. The included chipset can be identified (partially) while pressing CMD + S during the boot signal ("Firewire (OHCI) Lucent ID 5901 built-in now active, ...") or via the console (see below). <end quote> HTH. Cheers, Esther On Feb 22, 2011, at 13:59, Justin Kauflin wrote: > I'm thinking about purchasing the 27 inch iMac but had one question before > making the leap. Does anyone have any idea whether the newest models have a > Texas Instruments chipset for the Firewire port? > > I called Apple, and they wouldn't say. This was a real bummer, as the > chipset on this thing is going to be a deal breaker for me. > > If anyone has one of these models and isn't sure how to find out what the > chipset is, as far as I know, you can find it out if you have boot camp > running. The device manager in Windows tells you the manufacturer of the > chipset.. > > Thanks to anyone who might be able to hook me up with this info. > > Justin > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en.
