I would like to know what kind of firewire port is on the GS400. Is it a 6 pin male?

The GS400 has a 4-pin female firewire which is similar to just about any consumer MiniDV cam.

You can see a photo on the DVspot.com review.

Click here (http://www.dvspot.com/reviews/panasonic/pv_gs400-review/index.shtml)

The DVSPOT review of the GS400 said that the quality is better with Firewire than with USB. Is this true for both im- and export? The latest Firewire is twice as fast as the latest USB but both are still digital?

Claus, the GS400 uses the older firewire which is 1394a and runs at 400Mbps (opposed to the newer 1394b @ 800Mbps).

I have read that the GS400 is capable of video transfer to the PC using USB 2.0 Video Class but I don't know if it works with anything except the included software. I noticed also that the DVspot review said that firewire was needed to export your edited footage back to tape.

I think firewire is still the best option.