Firewire vs. USB connection at DVinfo.net

Cindy Konits · June 10th, 2007, 05:43 PM

Hello everyone,
When you see my name here, you'll know there will be a very basic question....

Can I capture HDV with a USB connection? I don't have a firewire connection for the HVR-A1U. Should it have come with the camera? Do I need to purchase one separately?

Thanks!

Jack Zhang · June 10th, 2007, 08:11 PM

No, the USB is version 1.1 which is far too slow for streaming HDV. You're gonna have to use firewire. Firewire PCI cards are very inexpensive right now.

Jeff DeMaagd · June 10th, 2007, 08:19 PM

Unfortunately, the DV/HDV standards basically require a Firewire connection, USB just doesn't operate that way.

Regarding the lack of a Firewire cable, as far as I hear, pretty much no camcorder supplies one. It's somewhat unfortunate but the cables aren't very expensive.

Simon Jones · June 10th, 2007, 08:41 PM

I picked up my PCI firewire card for 15$ from radioshack. It includes 2 firewire and 2 usp ports, and installed in about 15 minutes, and did not even need installation. My computer read the card without even needing the drivers.

I have heard that the audio can be severly affected when using a USB cable.

Cindy Konits · June 10th, 2007, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff DeMaagd

Unfortunately, the DV/HDV standards basically require a Firewire connection, USB just doesn't operate that way.

Regarding the lack of a Firewire cable, as far as I hear, pretty much no camcorder supplies one. It's somewhat unfortunate but the cables aren't very expensive.

I'll look for a firewire cable right away! Not sure who sells it, but I guess I'll start with B&H photo/video where I got the camera.

Thanks for the help.

Matthew Craggs · June 10th, 2007, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cindy Konits

Not sure who sells it

Luckily, they arne't hard to find. You should be able to find a Firewire cable at any good computer store.

Douglas Spotted Eagle · June 10th, 2007, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cindy Konits

I'll look for a firewire cable right away! Not sure who sells it, but I guess I'll start with B&H photo/video where I got the camera.

Thanks for the help.

Cindy, your local Walmart or Target both will have 4 pin and 6 pin firewire cables.
You'll need 4 pin for the camera end, and 6 pin for the computer end (unless you're using a PC laptop, some of the PC laptops have 4 pin connectors on them vs 6 pin).

June 10th, 2007, 05:43 PM	#1
Cindy Konits Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Owings Mills Maryland Posts: 26	Firewire vs. USB connection Hello everyone, When you see my name here, you'll know there will be a very basic question.... Can I capture HDV with a USB connection? I don't have a firewire connection for the HVR-A1U. Should it have come with the camera? Do I need to purchase one separately? Thanks!

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June 10th, 2007, 08:11 PM	#2
Jack Zhang Inner Circle Join Date: May 2005 Location: Burnaby, BC, Canada Posts: 3,053	No, the USB is version 1.1 which is far too slow for streaming HDV. You're gonna have to use firewire. Firewire PCI cards are very inexpensive right now.

June 10th, 2007, 08:19 PM	#3
Jeff DeMaagd Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Grand Rapids, MI, USA Posts: 202	Unfortunately, the DV/HDV standards basically require a Firewire connection, USB just doesn't operate that way. Regarding the lack of a Firewire cable, as far as I hear, pretty much no camcorder supplies one. It's somewhat unfortunate but the cables aren't very expensive.

June 10th, 2007, 08:41 PM	#4
Simon Jones Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 66	I picked up my PCI firewire card for 15$ from radioshack. It includes 2 firewire and 2 usp ports, and installed in about 15 minutes, and did not even need installation. My computer read the card without even needing the drivers. I have heard that the audio can be severly affected when using a USB cable.