firewire info

[psxiso]

hi,

So i decide to get a firewire card but i know very little about hardware. I already read a tutorial on how to install it, seem fairly easy.

1. Does firewire card have different size in lenght? coz i read around and heard some bought the card and it does not fit on their pci slot.
2. Will it fit on any case?
3. I have the following choice:
Belkin IEEE1394 FireWire Compatible Cable (4-pin/ 4-pin) 0.9m
BELKIN
Item#: 10205477


$19.44
Belkin IEEE1394 FireWire Compatible Cable (6-pin/ 4-pin) 0.9m
BELKIN
Item#: 10205476


$19.44
BELKIN RETRACTABLE FIREWIRE CABLE 6PIN TO 6PIN, 0.79m
BELKIN
Item#: 10213749


$16.14
BELKIN RETRACTABLE FIREWIRE CABLE 4PIN TO 4PIN, 0.79m
BELKIN
Item#: 10213748

All the price is quite similar so i don't worry about that. what i see is the PIN to PIN, they all different, so how do I know which one is right for me? I main buy it for my miniDV camcorder but I don't want to limit the card just for my camcorder, maybe for more use in the future.

4. Now with the cable:
IEEE 1394 FIREWIRE CABLE 4P-4P 2M
AMEXCOM
Item#: FW-44-2


$10.45
IEEE 1394 FIREWIRE CABLE 4P-4P 5M
AMEXCOM
Item#: FW-44-5


$16.47
IEEE 1394 FIREWIRE CABLE 6P-4P 1.8M
AMEXCOM
Item#: FW-64-2


$10.78
IEEE 1394 FIREWIRE CABLE 6P-6P 2M
AMEXCOM
Item#: FW-66-2

And again, it come in with different Pin to Pin, do i need to right one? do i must get one or will the card itself is all i need?

please answer as much as you can, coz i really noob when it come to hardware. usually i bring the pc to the shop and they will install it but i don't want to waste my time and their just for a simple card.

thank you all.

[redwudz]

Most FireWire cards would be a standard PCI card, just about any would fit most any case. No drivers are needed with XP. It's just 'Plug and Play'.

Most FireWire cards are 6 pin and most camcorders are mini 4 pin, so you need a 6 pin to mini 4 pin FireWire cable, male both ends. FireWire plugs are pretty standardized, generally just those two types listed are available.

I wouldn't use a retractable cable, a regular cable would generally be better quality.

FireWire plugs look like this on the camera:



And like this on the 6 pin end:



Then you need a simple transfer program. I would try the freeware WinDV.

[psxiso]

thanks for the reply with pic.
so i should get either
$19.44
Belkin IEEE1394 FireWire Compatible Cable (6-pin/ 4-pin) 0.9m
BELKIN
Item#: 10205476

$19.44
BELKIN RETRACTABLE FIREWIRE CABLE 6PIN TO 6PIN, 0.79m
BELKIN
Item#: 10213749

for the cable, i can bring my camcorder to buy the correct cable.

[redwudz]

Both of those appear to be FireWire cables, but I didn't see any FireWire cards listed. Or do you already have a FireWire Card? Most any OHCI-compliant FireWire card should work fine.

You may be able to find a package deal like this or similar in your part of the world that also includes the FireWire cable: http://www.firewire-1394.com/pyro-pci-64.htm

I would avoid the retractable cables and instead use a regular FireWire cable for best quality.

[Richard_G]

and don't bother paying extra for lots of pretty packaging with Belkin written on it......

I know it's the opposite side of the world to you, but this card http://svp.co.uk/products-solo.php?pid=407&prepg=1 comes complete with cable and is less than you are planning on spending on a cable alone.

For a camcorder you will need 6 pin to 4 pin and, as already said, don't get the retractable one.

[psxiso]

thanks all, i think i know what i need to get now.