Transfer AVI files from Laptop to Desktop via firewire?

[manhnt]

Hi,

I've got some big AVI files from my laptop needed to be transferred to my Desktop for the edit. Both laptop and PC have firewire 1394 ports. I've tried to plug the firewire cable to connect laptop with PC, but I can not see the laptop on my PC to transfer the files. Plus, how to join two AVI files into one? Thanks.

Can anyone help with this issue? Appreciate all ideas.

Mike

[redwudz]

You have to set up FireWire networking just like a LAN connection. When you look in 'Control Panel>Network Connections' in each computer, is your FireWire adapter shown? If you have XP on both computers, it's usually fairly easy to set up.

Weethet has a good guide for FireWire networking: http://www.weethet.nl/english/network_firewire.php

What type of AVI? That's just a container name. You need to be more specific. The codecs used, video and audio are the best way to identify what you are working with. But, VirtualDub will join most AVI type files, but they have to use the same codecs and settings. Or AVIDemux also works well. AVIDemux may also handle VBR audio better.

And if you are joining the AVI type files for the purpose of encoding them to a MPEG for a DVD, you are usually better off to encode them separately, then let your DVD authoring program do the joining. Less chance of a audio/video sync problem that way.

[JohnnyMalaria]

That's one of the really useful Windows features that MS dropped with Vista. Apparently, at the time they made the decision, there wasn't much call for it...

[redwudz]

Thanks for the tip on Vista FireWire networking, JohnnyMalaria. I hadn't realized they dropped it. I have used it a few times with XP when I didn't have a LAN setup, but had FW available.

[Brainiac]

I would just use an external HD to do the transfers.

Brainiac

[manhnt]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the ideas. Mp laptop runs on Vista while my PC runs on XP. When I use the firewire cable to connect laptop-PC, they can not see each other. Any additional task needs to be done before linking? Just want to transfer 2 AVI files (already captured from my video Camcorder) from Laptop to PC. Only have firewire cable, not external -HD

Appreciate all hints, have a great day.
Mike

[JohnnyMalaria]

Vista doesn't support networking by FireWire. You will need to either copy the files to an external drive and then load them onto your desktop or put both PCs on the same network and copy the files from the laptop's drive to the desktop.

If you haven't already got a network set up and you do have an external hard drive, the latter will be a lot less painful.

[Po|arbeaR]

Hello There.

Try buying a cat5 crossover cable. Then follow this tutorial.

http://www.5starsupport.com/tutorial/networking-crossover-cable.htm

I'm guessing you should be able to get close to 100 mbit speeds, depending on your network cards.

Let us know of your progress.


-PB

[JohnnyMalaria]

Getting a network set up between a Vista machine and an XP one can be a real pain in the behind, especially trying to get NetBIOS working for shares etc...I still have the mental scars to remind me

[redwudz]

Getting a network set up between a Vista machine and an XP one can be a real pain in the behind, especially trying to get NetBIOS working for shares etc...I still have the mental scars to remind me

I agree about that. My Vista laptop refuses to see any other non-Vista computer on my LAN as of a couple of weeks ago, but the desktop with Vista sees them all, including the laptop. I tried every fix from MS. I gave up trying to figure out why. Funny thing is, the laptop can remote control the XP computers with UltraVNC, even though they don't show up in Network Discovery.

[mgh]

use bluetooth dongles on both. approx3 mbps transfer speeds

[manhnt]

Hi

Thanks for all.
I will try the crossover cable to connect them. Will keep you updated.

Mike