Firewire card ... does it matter who makes them?

[gvvb]

I have a DV camcorder and would like to capture/tranfser the video via firewire. I have a choice of buying a cheap Inland fiwi card for $15 ( http://www.bencole.com/singleproduct.asp?search=card&partnum=08323 ), or a Belkin more expensive one for $30 ( http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=&Section_Id=1650&pcount...duct_Id=149022 ).

I went to the store to looked at the actual cards to compare. I saw that there are more transistors, circuits, etc. on the Belkin's card. With no technical/engineering background, I think the Belkin card looks very impressive. I'm archiving my two sons' videos on dvd, so quality is of the essence for me.

I have learned over the years that more expensive not neccessarily meant better performance/quality. My question then is can one firewire card be better than another card? If yes, what more or else does it do that makes it better. Thanks for your input.

[TheSeven7hSon]

I bought a D-Link DFW-500 firewire card and it's a piece of junk. Most likely because it has an Texas Inst LV23 chipset. By now they might of changed to another.

I have two external hard drives and one of them is seen half of the time after reboots and if I turn off the external HD only, I have to turn it on and then connect the FW cable for it to be recognized. The other ext. HD, an ACOM Data, isn't see it at all. My Canopus ADVC-100 isn't recognized either.

I bought a cheap SIIG and it works fine with them (ADVC-100?). It has an AVIA chip. A friend bought an Adaptec and it comes with the TI LV26 chip. Works fine on his ACOM Data external as well.

I would guess they vary in price in the same manufacturer due to number of ports, multi purpose (+USB), software and if it has a firewire cable in the box.

If Inland has a toll free number give them a call to see what chip they use. I didn't see it on their website. Wow, 6' cable included for $15.

[gvvb]

Thanks for the repy TheSeven7hSon. Good suggestion. I will contact both manufacturers to find out which chipset they used, then research for reviews on the chip set.

The Inland price is pretty good. Actually it was free after rebate. But since rebate is not a sure thing, I did not want to quote the price after rebate.

[MrKGB]

I bought a noname card with cable for $17 few days ago.
Works just fine.

[twonabomber]

i've had the SIIG Firewire card for a few years now. not one problem.

[mrtristan]

I threw the box away, but I think the brand that I bought was SIIG. It was the cheapest bundled card and cable that CompUSA was selling. I've only connected a DV cam, but it works perfectly.

[dcsos]

I have and would recommend the following cards in my systems:
Adaptec Fireconnect 4300
ADS Pyro 1394
Adaptec Duo-Connect (2)
SIIG IEE1394
all work the same to capture. I've seen conflict with other devices- but only when you add the card - in the case of the installion of a card after the OS . But I've nevere seen a problem if the card was there for the OS load, especially Win2k.
I've seen Win98se drop drivers for the Cards if you use the TEXAS INSTUMENTS DRIVER but
there's also a MICROSOFT DRIVER
I beleieve either can be used for either kind of card but could some one say for sure..
Thas is THE OS has 2 differing IEE1394 drivers and which you use makes more difference then which card you use.
Apart from dropping external devices from time to time, they all work fine (the former is corrected during boot by repowering the external devic e while "HOT")

[SLICK RICK]

I just installed a SIIG Firewire Card and a SIIG USB 2.0 Card about a month ago. No problems yet.

SLICK RICK

[borghe]

I have only ever used two non-dedicated firewire systems. The first was a SoundBlaster Audigy and my current one is the firewire ports on my Asus NForce2 board. Both have worked perfectly never dropping a single frame. I run a printer and external harddrive to my pc and my camcorder through my harddrive. three devices off of the motherboard and it runs great.