firewire..what is it?

mutley74

Just before I spec up final pc requirement from Dell, there is an option for a firewire port to be added for around £25. As I intend in the near future to buy a camcorder, is it essential to have this port, or do most camcorders allow USB access? I mean if I don’t get this fire wire port, will I need to upgrade when I get a camcorder, or do some camcorders allow USB connectivity?

cheers
;D

nitintejura

Hi

A firewire or as they sometimes are referred to as 1394 which is the standard they are based on are very fast connections, they offer considerable speed and performance over USB and are essential if you want to connect your camcorcer to PC and capture your video clips. Once you've done that using a Windows Move Maker which comes with XP. If you did not select the option you can install a firewire card (not that hard) these costs about £10, check out https://www.ebuyer.co.uk

Any queries let me know.

Nitin

mutley74

does one need software if installing a card? Is it as easy as plug in and play? Why is USB ports not as fast? I thought that USB and USB ver2 was the fastest for linking for a home pc.

Beninio88

Although on paper USB2 is faster, in the real world Firewire is supposed to be faster. I don't know if this is true, or if its like a "my Intel/AMD is quicker then your AMD/Intel" situation.

nitintejura

hi this is for chipz,

Normally XP does not require you to install any driver for firewire cards as it picks up the drivers from the software. if it does ask for a disk then you should have got one with the firewire card. You could always try the manufacturer of the card. Hope that helps

philc_2

It's also a "bangin' choon" by Cosmic Gate from a few years back!!!

Definitely worth having some FireWire ports as they are the business for camcorders and also external hard disks and the like. You can now get FireWire 800 as well as 400 (the number relates to the speed of throughput in megabits per second) although FireWire 800 is not used on much yet.

As Nitin pointed out, if you don't get it straight away a card will only set you back a few pounds at a later date as long as you have a spare PCI slot or two to install in to.

Phil