USB2.0 vs FireWire?

[takemehomegrandma]

I haven't up till now thought so much about USB2.0 vs FireWire (which one of them is the best). It has come natural for me, whenever I connect my digital video camera I use FireWire, and I connect my digital "still picture" camera through USB (not 2.0 though).

But now I am thinking about buying a DVD recorder, a Sony DRX510UL (which is an external model). You connect this either through USB2.0 or FireWire.

AFAIK, both standards are quite similar when it comes to speed? What other advantages/disadvantages has one to the other?

[mikeymike]

I wouldn't worry about a comparison of the ports so much as I would worry about how well the hardware you're planning to get can interface with the software.

[takemehomegrandma]

I'm curious about what kind of problems do you see there?

[olegil]

Depends on how much of IEEE1394 the device supports. Isochronous transfers is THE reason to use IEEE1394 instead of USB2. The second reason is that IEEE1394 handles different speed devices better. Third reason is that it supports more devices per network, but this isn't that important yet...

[Oli_hd]

Hi,

AFAIK, both standards are quite similar when it comes to speed?

Actually firewire is up to 800Mbps now, although your computer will probably only have 400 against USB 2 which is 480. (I think, hehe, Its something like that)

As for which is better for a camcorder, naa neither, I have just got a DVD camcorder (cheap) a Hitachi 230E, then  you just take the DVD (-r or RAM) and stick it in your computer or DVD player and your done, beat that for performance.  :-P

[pjhutch]

The advantage of Firewire is guaranteed speed while USB  is dependant on CPU and speed may vary.
Hence Firewire is preferred for Video.

[mikeymike]

I'm curious about what kind of problems do you see there?

I'm seen some horrendous software hacks in connecting 'unusual hardware' even when there is normal or core OS driver support for the interface in question.  I would find relevant forums where users discuss the products in question and see what they complain about.  Single a few out who look like they'll give you a useful response and ask them about their dealings with the product.

[takemehomegrandma]

@ all

Thanks for the answeres guys! :-)

@ mikeymike

I'm seen some horrendous software hacks in connecting 'unusual hardware' even when there is normal or core OS driver support for the interface in question.

But this is *Sony*, and no "unusual hardware"!? And I will use it under Windows, that usually is the most supported operating system when it comes to drivers?

[mikeymike]

But this is *Sony*, and no "unusual hardware"!? And I will use it under Windows, that usually is the most supported operating system when it comes to drivers?

Ok, for starters you said "Sony".  In which case, expect dodgily written drivers/hacks/software*.   "DVD recorder which connects either by USB2 or Firewire" was also mentioned :-)   And I guessed Windows.

* - in my experiences.