What is Firewire? - Comments Page 1

On the front of my computer is a port shaped just as you have described it, placed beside two USB2 ports. Above it is inscribed "1394" and beneath it is a a symbol which does, indeed, "look something like a 'radioactive' symbol". And now, after a year, I know what it is! Nobody made me wait that long to find out; I suppose I COULD have read the manual. From a lazy innocent, who doesn't know what RTFM means, many thanks.

My computer didn't have firewire ports, so I just got a low cost PCI card with a couple. It was plug and play with XP. I also got 2 cables. Like USB, there are mini connectors and regular size. (as you illustrate) So I got one of each cable. Several devices I own have options for both. Some told me USB 2 was faster than Firewire - thanks for the detail.

Have you investigate FireWire 800? It's been on the professional level Macs for a few years and is on the brand new iMacs that debuted 8/7/07. Its data rate is TWICE that of the "old" FireWire 400. Besides cameras, the FW800 is really handy with external hard drives and arrays.

I just installed a firewire card on my 3 year old Dell (with XP SP2) this week! How timely this article is for me... A comment: I purchased a PCI card for my computer for $15 including shipping, and it came with a firewire cord... if you shop carefully, it is relatively easy to get things in a completely usable fashion at a low price! Most cords I found were more than this combo deal. Happy video editing!

I USE FIREWIRE ALL THE TIME AND I LOVE, COULD'NT LIVE WITHOUT IT.

If you don't already have Firewire, and you are buying a DV camera, check to see if it comes with a Firewire card in the kit. Mine did. I also choose external hard drives (whether prebuilt or kit) that have FW connections so that I can chain them. I have had problems with USB devices "disappearing" from my computer, but no problems with my FW hard drives, DVD burners or scanners.

I do have one cheap external HD kit, made by Ultra, that says it allows chaining of up to 3 devices, why the limitation? My Seagate external has no such limitation. Remember that Sony refers to Firewire as iLink, and their cameras have a littl i next to the port.

Firewire issue: I have a Gateway 506GR with 3 firewire ports which I never tried to use until now. I got a video camera and shot video and plugged in an IIIE firewire cable to the computer to download the video and NOTHING! My brother brought his firewire cable over and still NOTHING! I took my cable and camera and video over to his house and was able to download it to his computer.

Nothing at all happened when i plugged the cable into the computer, like 'found new hardware' or the software didn't open up that I was going to use. It's like the firewires aren't even there. I'm not computer savvy enough in this area to know what steps to take to see if these are 'active' or plugged in or if the drivers are updated. Can you please help me?

EDITOR'S NOTE: You may need to install the software that came with the video camera. Let me know if that helps.

I have a Compaq Presario A900 notebook and I want to buy a extreme card reader but it comes with fire wire. I don't think my notebook accepts firewire because I don't see any devices on my computer like you all described above. Is there an adapter I could buy to accept firewire?
Thanks everyone but I am not very clued up with all these teqnical things....

Hello. I have a question about PCI Firewire cards. My pc doesn't have firewire ports. I'm wondering if I purchase a firewire card and a transfer cable is that all I will need?. My pc is 5 years old, running Windows XP.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes, that should do it!

Does Firewire provide a higher quality image (video) than a USB transfer or is it just faster?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Just faster transfer.

Do you know if Flip cameras are Firewire compatible?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Seems they are just USB.

I bought a fire wire card for my brand new Toshiba Satellite A 500 Series lap top, but it seems it is not attaching, it does not click in.
My question; Did I buy the wrong card, how do I go about finding the right card?

Thanks
Jonh Mayor

I am buying an old camcorder Sony DCrTRV30 (miniDV)because I read great reviews and I am getting a great deal on it. Problem is I'm just learning all this technical stuff and all it comes with is a powercord,charger and battery. I was told firewire is the way to go. I don't have a firewire port and have no idea how to install one. I have a compaq presario Cq60 notebook. I really want this camcorder, does anyone have any suggestions?Are their any alternatives to firewire? I also heard that recording onto the memory stick or card or whatever it is(lol see)drastically reduces video quality or i would just get a big memory and record onto that. I don't know what to do. I have no idea what cable I'm going to need or anything. Any suggestions would be so appreciated.Thank YOU.