SIIG USB 2.0 /1394 Combo Bay Hub; Just What the Doctor Ordered
Written: Dec 15 '03 (Updated Dec 16 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: USB 1.1 compliant; everything is included in the box
Cons: Documentation could be better.
The Bottom Line: If you need a internal front panel combo USB/Firewire hub, you can’t go wrong with this one from SIIG.
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| vemartin's Full Review: SIIG (JU-H61B22) Networking Hub |
Universal Serial Bus (USB)—and close on its heals, 1394 Firewire—has become the indispensable Personal Computer (PC) port connection for adding and or operating Plug-n-Play peripherals to your PC. Most computers now typically ship with at least two USB ports in the back and two in the front; with some business class PC’s have four in the back and four in the front.
I build my own computers for myself and my immediate family; in fact I just build a new PC for my nieces and nephew. All of the newer motherboards and cases I have purchased of late have had at least two front USB connections, but alas my personal workstation which I build some three years ago lacks such accoutrements. But increasingly, I find myself utilizing more and more USB connected devices; e.g. web cams, memory sticks, printers, external hard drive etc., and continually having to dig behind my PC for an available USB connection is a inconvenient
I currently have an internal PCI USB 2.0 card installed so, for months I have been searching for an internal USB version 2.0 hub for under $50.00 that would fit into a standard 3.5’ or 5.25” drive bay. Enter the SIIG USB 2.0 /1394 Combo Bay Hub, which combines four USB 2.0 with two 1394 Firewire connections.
The SIIG USB 2.0 /1394 Combo Bay Hub is an easy-to-access device which can be installed in any available 3.5 or 5.25" (by using the included 5.25" mounting rack) device bay. However, one available 1394 port and/or an internal USB 2.0 port must be available in the computer to connect the SIIG USB 2.0 /1394 Combo Bay Hub via connections on the back of the unit. I assumed that the Firewire connections were standalone; my assumptions were incorrect.
The SIIG USB 2.0 /1394 Combo Bay Hub works with various types of USB 2.0/1.1 and 1394 devices including digital camcorder/cameras, external CD-RW/DVD-ROMs, MO drives, external hard drives, flash USB drives, memory sticks, USB memory modules, PC video cameras, memory card readers/writers etc.
Installation:
In order to install the SIIG USB 2.0 /1394 Combo Bay Hub you have a Pentium or equivalent computer with one available 3.5" or 5.25" device bay, and have Windows 98SE or later installed on your computer.
The SIIG USB 2.0 /1394 Combo Bay Hub was simple to install; the process took less then 10 minutes from start to finish, and no software is necessary, though the USB 2.0 card already installed in the computer must support a USB hub. In the box SIIG includes everything needed to get the hub up and running, including the following:
• 3.5" USB 2.0+1394 6-Port Bay Hub
• 5.25" mounting rack
• Power Supply "Y" cable
• Accessories set
• USB cable
• 1394 6-/6-pin cable
• User's manual
Since I do not have an existing 1394 card installed in my computer, I cannot address connections functionality. I installed the SIIG USB 2.0 /1394 Combo Bay Hub in an available 5.25” drive bay, making sure to attach the (included) USB cable and power connections before securing the unit with mounting screws. Once in place I powered on the PC, and logged into Windows XP, which detected and installed the hub. I then inserted a LEXAR 128MB JumpDrive into the first slot; no surprise, it works.
First Impressions:
The SIIG USB 2.0 /1394 Combo Bay Hub works, and works well. Transferring data is swift and painless, and my only regret is that I could not test the speed of the 1394 port. The unit includes two lights beside each port, the upper indicating error, and bottom illuminate when a device is inserted. I found this out through trial and error, since the owners manual contains no information about the displays.
Detailed Specifications (from SIIG web site):
• Version: v1
• Chip: NEC (USB2.0) and TI (1394a)
• Regulatory approval(s): FCC Class B (DoC) & CE
• OS support: Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP
• USB 2.0 interface:
o Fully compliant with USB specification revision 2.0
o Provides 4 high-speed front-accessible USB 2.0 ports for device connections
o Supports high-speed (480Mbps), full-speed (12 Mbps) and low-speed (1.5Mbps) data transfer modes
o Supports simultaneous operation of multiple USB 2.0/1.1 devices
• 1394a interface:
o Compliant with IEEE 1394-1995, P1394a and OHCI 1.0 standards
o Provides 2 high-speed front-accessible 1394 ports for device connections
o Supports serial data transfer rates up to 400Mbps
• Warranty: 5 year
• Retail package
o C-size color box
o Dimensions: 7 1/2 (H) x 11 9/16 (W) x 2 25/32 (D)
o Weight: 1
• Master Carton:
o Quantity: 20
o Weight: 29 lbs
o Dimensions: 15 3/4 (H) x 14 5/8 (W) x 24 (D)
Recommended:
Yes
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vemartin
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Member: Vincent
Location: Aurora, IL
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