Top 5 FireWire Expansion Cards in the UK for 2026
Published on Sunday, 19 July 2026
For most UK buyers the StarTech 3 Port 2b 1a PCI Express FireWire Card is the sensible default: a PCIe x1 card built on the Texas Instruments XIO2213B controller with two 9-pin FireWire 800 ports and one 6-pin FireWire 400 port, so mixed 1394a/1394b gear works from one slot. FireWire (IEEE 1394) is a legacy interface, and that shapes every purchase in 2026: it is still the only connection on many DV/HDV camcorders, MiniDV decks and older pro audio interfaces, but operating-system support has moved on. Microsoft removed the legacy 1394 bus drivers (1394bus.sys and ohci1394.sys) in Windows 8/8.1, and there is no Microsoft-supplied legacy 1394 driver package for Windows 11 — the in-box "1394 OHCI Compliant Host Controller" driver does not restore compatibility for every older device, and legacy FireWire drivers now appear on Microsoft's vulnerable-driver blocklist, which can block Memory Integrity/Core Isolation. On the Mac side the vendors' own compatibility lists stop at Intel-era macOS (StarTech lists macOS 10.6 to 10.14 for the PEX1394B3). UK buyers should therefore check host-OS support and port type before port count: 6-pin 1394a and 9-pin 1394b sockets carry bus power, 4-pin 1394a sockets do not.
Top Picks Summary
StarTech 3 Port 2b 1a PCI Express FireWire Card
StarTech's 3 Port 2b 1a PCI Express FireWire Card pairs two 1394b (FireWire 800) ports with one 1394a (FireWire 400) port, giving a practical blend of high-speed transfers and legacy device compatibility. It earns best-in-class status for balancing performance and price—faster and more future-proof than a 1394a-only solution like the StarTech 4-Port PCI card, yet significantly less costly than premium, pro-focused options such as Sonnet's Allegro. For users who need both throughput and broad device support without paying top-tier premiums, this card is the most versatile choice in the list.
Where to buy StarTech 3 Port 2b 1a PCI Express FireWire Card in UK: the trusted retailers we track in this market, with the best price we have observed at each. Prices are checked regularly and can change, and the retailer confirms the final price at checkout.
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£35 – £55
StarTech 4 Port PCI 1394a FireWire Adapter Card
The StarTech 4 Port PCI 1394a FireWire Adapter Card targets legacy systems by offering four FireWire 400 ports on a traditional PCI interface, making it the most cost-effective option for older desktops that lack PCIe. Compared with the PCIe-based cards here it trades raw throughput for port density and affordability, so it is ideal for connecting multiple cameras or audio devices on vintage hardware. Its primary financial advantage is low upfront cost and broad 1394a compatibility for budget-conscious or legacy-focused users.
Where to buy StarTech 4 Port PCI 1394a FireWire Adapter Card in UK: the trusted retailers we track in this market, with the best price we have observed at each. Prices are checked regularly and can change, and the retailer confirms the final price at checkout.
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£25 – £45
Delock PCI Express Card to 2x FireWire B
Delock's PCI Express Card to 2x FireWire B provides two dedicated FireWire B (1394b-capable) ports in a compact, value-oriented design that serves small systems and budget builds well. It undercuts premium vendors on price while meeting the essential technical needs for high-speed external devices, trading Sonnet-level driver and certification depth for straightforward, reliable hardware. Compared to the StarTech mixed-port card it offers fewer compatibility permutations but is frequently the more affordable and space-efficient option.
Where to buy Delock PCI Express Card to 2x FireWire B in UK: the trusted retailers we track in this market, with the best price we have observed at each. Prices are checked regularly and can change, and the retailer confirms the final price at checkout.
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£30 – £50
InLine PCI Express Card 3 Port FireWire 800
The InLine PCI Express Card 3 Port FireWire 800 focuses on sustained 1394b throughput across multiple devices by providing three FW800 ports at a mid-tier price point. It occupies the middle ground between budget 1394a adapters and Sonnet's premium card, delivering better multi-stream performance than 1394a-only options while typically costing less than high-end professional cards. Its regional availability and competitive European pricing make it a strong choice for imaging and audio workflows needing several high-speed FireWire links without the premium support package.
Sonnet Allegro FW800 PCIe Card
Sonnet's Allegro FW800 PCIe card is the pro-oriented pick here: three full-bandwidth, powered 9-pin FireWire 800 ports driven by a Texas Instruments XIO2213A 1394 OHCI controller, in a PCI Express card long used in audio and video production systems. Against the other cards on this list its advantage is a vendor with a documented driver history for professional capture and audio work rather than a generic OEM board, which is why studios have tended to specify it despite the higher price. The caveat to weigh in 2026: Sonnet now lists the Allegro FW800 PCIe among its legacy products, so confirm driver availability for your specific operating system — and note there is no supported FireWire path on Apple silicon Macs.
What FireWire Still Does Well — And Where It Stops
The IEEE 1394 specification, not marketing copy, explains why these cards persist. FireWire defines an isochronous transfer mode that reserves bus bandwidth on a fixed 125-microsecond cycle, which is what DV, HDV and multi-channel audio devices were designed around. It is a peer-to-peer bus with direct memory access rather than a host-polled one. Those properties are fixed by the standard and have not changed; what has changed is operating-system and platform support, which is now the real limiting factor on a 2026 purchase.
Isochronous transfers: the 1394 specification reserves guaranteed bus bandwidth per cycle, which is why DV/HDV capture and multi-channel audio interfaces were built around FireWire rather than a polled bus.
Two speeds, two connectors: 1394a (FireWire 400) runs at 400 Mbps on 4-pin or 6-pin sockets; 1394b (FireWire 800) runs at 800 Mbps on 9-pin sockets. Only the 6-pin and 9-pin variants carry bus power — 4-pin does not, so bus-powered drives need a powered port.
Chipset matters more than brand: Texas Instruments 1394 OHCI controllers (for example the XIO2213B on the StarTech PEX1394B3 and the XIO2213A on the Sonnet Allegro FW800 PCIe) are the ones pro audio and video vendors have historically qualified; VIA and JMicron-based cards are the usual source of dropout and device-detection complaints.
Windows is the real constraint: Microsoft removed the legacy 1394 bus drivers in Windows 8/8.1 and never shipped a legacy 1394 driver package for Windows 11. Some older devices work only with a vendor-supplied driver, and legacy FireWire drivers are flagged on Microsoft's vulnerable-driver blocklist, which can prevent Core Isolation/Memory Integrity from being turned on.
Apple silicon is not a target: vendor compatibility lists for these cards end at Intel-era macOS — StarTech documents macOS 10.6 to 10.14 for the PEX1394B3, and Sonnet lists the Allegro FW800 PCIe among its legacy products. Plan on an Intel Mac, an older PC or a dedicated capture machine.
Slot and power: these are PCI Express x1 cards (or plain PCI for the oldest desktops). Check you have a free short slot and, where the card provides a floppy/SATA power input, connect it if you intend to bus-power drives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which FireWire card should I buy for mixed 400/800 gear?
The StarTech 3 Port 2b 1a PCI Express FireWire Card. It combines two 9-pin FireWire 800 (1394b) ports with one 6-pin FireWire 400 (1394a) port on a single PCI Express x1 card, and it uses a native Texas Instruments XIO2213B 1394 OHCI controller rather than a bridge chip — the chipset family pro audio and video vendors have historically qualified. It averages 4.5 in user ratings and ships with both full-height and low-profile brackets.
Does the StarTech 3 Port card include a low-profile bracket?
Yes. The StarTech 3 Port 2b 1a PCI Express FireWire Card ships with a low-profile bracket alongside the standard full-height one, so it fits small-form-factor PCs. It is a PCI Express x1 card built on the Texas Instruments XIO2213B controller (not a VIA or JMicron part), and it averages 4.5 in user ratings.
Will FireWire cards work on Windows 11?
Only with caveats, and this is the single biggest thing to check before buying. Microsoft removed the legacy 1394 bus drivers (1394bus.sys and ohci1394.sys) in Windows 8/8.1, and it has never published a legacy 1394 driver package for Windows 11. Windows 10 and 11 ship an in-box "1394 OHCI Compliant Host Controller" driver that covers the card itself, but some older camcorders and audio interfaces were written against the legacy stack and need a driver from the device vendor. Legacy FireWire drivers also appear on Microsoft's vulnerable-driver blocklist, so installing one can prevent Core Isolation/Memory Integrity being enabled. If your device is critical, a dedicated older Windows machine is the safer route.
Do these cards work on an Apple silicon Mac?
No — plan on an Intel Mac. Vendor compatibility documentation for these cards stops at Intel-era macOS: StarTech lists macOS 10.6 to 10.14 for the 3 Port 2b 1a PCI Express FireWire Card, and Sonnet lists the Allegro FW800 PCIe Card among its legacy products. There is no supported PCIe FireWire path on Apple silicon Macs, so an Intel Mac Pro, an older tower or a Windows/Linux capture machine is the practical option.
Conclusion
If you need a reliable way to connect legacy camcorders, audio interfaces or external drives in the UK, these top FireWire expansion cards cover a range of needs and budgets. The StarTech 3 Port 2b 1a PCI Express FireWire Card is the best overall choice for versatility and broad compatibility, thanks to its Texas Instruments XIO2213B controller and mixed 9-pin/6-pin port layout, while the StarTech 4 Port PCI 1394a FireWire Adapter Card offers extra ports for multiple older peripherals on pre-PCIe desktops. The Delock PCI Express Card to 2x FireWire B provides a compact solution for dual device setups, and the InLine PCI Express Card 3 Port FireWire 800 is a good option when you need multiple 800 Mbps connections. For professional studios that want a well-supported pro-grade card, the Sonnet Allegro FW800 PCIe Card remains a solid pick, though Sonnet now lists it as a legacy product. Whichever you choose, confirm your operating system first — Windows 11 has no Microsoft legacy 1394 driver package, and vendor macOS support for these cards ends with Intel-era releases. I hope you found what you were looking for — use the search to refine or expand your options if you want a narrower fit for price, port count or operating system support.