RELIABLE firewire card

[tmh]

I've been using my laptop for capture (transfer) via firewire from my sony camcorder because my desktop doesn't have a firewire port. Santa is bringing me a firewire card for my desktop and I want to make sure he brings me one that works - no elcheapo crap under MY tree!

Are most name brand (belkin, NEC, etc) ones OK? Does the fact that I have a Sony TRV-38 make a difference at all as to which to get?

I don't need anything other than DV transfer, so I don't plan on spending extra for analog capture, etc - unless someone convinces me that I should.

Thanks, as always.

[skullfullomagots]

It does not matter as long as it is a good brand. I have had an NEC for about 9 months or something or may be more and it works just fine.. they are cheap as well

[Ron B]

I've had a Pyro for a few years, no problems. Bought it at a US retail store for about $40, came with a cable and editing software.

[NightWing]

Have a Pyro also. Its down to 19 and some times down to ten at Fry's. Still includes the cable and the edit software. It uses a VIA cipset.

[dun4cheap]

I use an ATI DV WONDER Firewire card, which I do not think they make them anylonger. It works well. I also have a generic Firewire card with 4 ports and it is a via chipset. I run them both in my main computer and capture video with either without any problems. I know some firewire cards have two chips on them and are supposed to run smoother but I have not validated this.

For the most part I think they are built fairly equal and they all use the same drivers in windows xp.

[Deekkeed]

I have a generic 1394 card I got at bestbuy. I have had know problems with it at all with my Sony TRV-33. I transfer and print to tape using Vegas 5.

[lenti_75]

don't matter, get one for 5 bucks and you'll be just fine. don't have to spend a 1000 for it.

[kupton]

It's not so much the brand but the chipset that the card uses.

I have an el-cheapo that I paid $10 for with a Via chipset. So far it's been great with my JVC DX-77

[tmh]

Thanks all. I stopped bt Circuit City to check prices - what a rip-off! $30 for a firewire card !?!?

It's ebay (new) for me.

[kupton]

Check out pricewatch.com too. Always a good deal there.

[guns1inger]

Pyro has been good to me these last couple of years