FireWire Card/Device

[Z-C]

Hi everyone.

I've just purchased a CANOPUS ADVC 110 for capturing.

as many of you know I also need a firewire card to get the DV data transferred into my PC.

I have two questions regarding this subject:

1. I've read here that all firewire cards are essentially the same. Whichever card I get will produce the same quality - can you guys confirm this statement?

2. I was wondering - is there any firewire external device that can be plugged to the pc. or maybe some adapter of some kind? I have several PCs in my home and I will soon have a laptop as well. getting a PCI firewire card will limit me to using the ADVC only on one PC.
assuming there is such a device then will they be able to power up my ADVC unit?(the ADVC unit is powered by the firewire card and a 6pin input).

Thanks in advance for any help given in this subject!

[edDV]

Get a reasonable quality modern OHCI capable card. If using with XP there shouldn't be a problem with most cards. Pay more attention if using Win98/2000 or Linux.

PC card firewire is also available. (see link below for typical cards)

http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/ieee-1394_host_adapter_card.html

[Z-C]

Thanks for your reply

How am I to know what a reasonable quality card is? Like I said... I heard all of the cards produce the same quality. is this not correct?

What about a non PCI firewire card, but an external adapter instead - does such thing exist?

and what's OHCI?

[edDV]

Thanks for your reply

How am I to know what a reasonable quality card is? Like I said... I heard all of the cards produce the same quality. is this not correct?

What about a non PCI firewire card, but an external adapter instead - does such thing exist?

and what's OHCI?

Buy only cards with OHCI spec (open host controller interface). That means they will work with XP. Alternative to PCI is a PC card for the notebook, a PC card adapter for another PC, or a new motherboard/CPU.

Reasonable quality means buy a good brand or from a good supplier. One that will take a return if the card doesn't work.

[budz]

get a ADAPTEC FIREWIRE CARD from COMPUSA if you're in the USA.
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=314358&pfp=BROWSE

COMPUSA usually has the 4300 model on sale for $20.00 after instant rebates. I've bought 4 of those 4300 firewire cards with no problems whatsoever.

[Z-C]

Thanks

What is this PC CARD ADAPTER? how does it plug in to the pc?
Will it be able to power up my ADVC unit like a PCI 6pin card?

[edDV]

Here are some.
http://www.elandigitalsystems.com/adapter/index.php

[Z-C]

Thanks again .

I still don't understand what OHCI is. could someone please explain what it is and what is it good for?

I looked at many card's specs and it never says(except maybe once or twice) that they are OHCI compatible.

[redwudz]

Quote: "Short for Open Host Controller Interface, OHCI is a standard that allows a computer host to interface with Firewire and USB devices."

Just the name for the 'Firewire' 1394 interface specification. I believe it has been in place since 2000, so all newer devices should be compatible with it.