Fastware.net, a designer and manufacturer of I/O and connectivity solutions for both Mac and Windows platforms, has officially launched its new Web site and order center to coincide with the second production lot of their BridgeIt FireWire-to-SCSI converter, which enables SCSI devices to connect to a host computer’s FireWire port while also offering two additional FireWire ports for hub functionality.
The combination converter, FireWire hub, and repeater, BridgeIt supports multiple hard drives, CD-R/RW, MO and removable media devices in a SCSI chain. The maximum transfer rate is 20MB per second for SCSI (Ultra Narrow) and 400Mbps for FireWire. A 50-pin high-density SCSI connector and three six-pin FireWire ports are provided for SCSI conversion, as well as FireWire hub functionality. For legacy SCSI devices with 25-pin connections, BridgeIt will support 25 to 50 pin cable adapters. BridgeIt is a FireWire repeater when powered off and is a FireWire-to-SCSI converter when powered on. An AC/DC adapter or cable power is required to work.
“The new BridgeIt device is something the Mac community has needed following a long reliance on SCSI peripherals,” said Matt Schultz, CEO of Fastware.net. “The more than 200,000 visitors who have surfed the Fastware.net Web site recently will enjoy the new site’s updates, upgrades and looks.”
BridgeIt’s upcoming SIM Extension will bring support for more CD-R/RW drives, scanners and printers, and a second quarter release of a flash utility will allow for a full SCSI chain of seven device, Schultz said.
BridgeIt comes with an external power adapter, an ON/OFF switch, indicator LEDs, and US-only power adapters. The minimum requirement is Mac OS 8.6 and FireWire 2.3.3. The cost is US$149.95.
The Fastware.net Order Center lets customers use shopping cart functions prior to entering the secure server for order launch. The Order Center is integrated into their newly deployed Web site. The site features FireWire and FireWire+USB drive enclosure kits; CardBus adapters; hubs; 1394 and 1394+USB PCI host adapter cards; digital camera card readers; 1394 and SCSI cable assemblies, SCSI adapters and gender changers; and 1394 C-Clamp Interconnects for space-saving connections between two 1394 Drive Kits. The DV Playground AV to DV converter, moving briskly through a final design revision, is also highlighted.