What is the difference in connection of DV and pc between USB and FireWire?

[coody]

When connection of the DV and PC with a FireWire IEEE 1394 cable such as 4-4 pins, there is no specific software needed. I can capture the video by any software such as Windows Movie Maker. However, the Windows Found New Hardware Wizard pops up if the DV is connected with pc by the USB cable. If I cancel the Wizard, the error messages will display the video capture device was not detected, though the Windows Movie Maker is installed. Does it mean any connection with the USB cable between the DV and PC must have that USB specific capture software instilled first? Is it possible to capture the video through the USB cable without additional USB software installed or every USB connection must have the USB specific software installed first?

[aedipuss]

usb cam connections are usually only for copying still pictures. DV and HDV can only be transferred via firewire.

[Hawkes]

you can use a USB interface to capture video, but you'll be sharing transfer bandwidths with every other USB device that's connected to your machine. Firewire is much more reliable because of its increased bandwidth.