HELP!!! Firewire port card??? at DVinfo.net

Joshua Badour · August 4th, 2003, 08:26 AM

Someone told me earlier I needed a Firewire port card, because my PC doesn't support firewire.

What are these cards, how much do they cost, and how can it help me get a connection?

I have a Windows 2000 Hewlett Packard.

Please, I really need help, I'm trying to get some things to my editor, but I'm falling far behind schedule because I can't get my video to my PC.

Any help would be very appreciated. And, as always, your name would be given in the "special thanks" section at the end of my film. (dont get your hopes up, I'm 14)

J.J Woodroffe · August 4th, 2003, 08:30 AM

hey josh

firewire cards can bought from any computer store.

I guess you could think of them as an extremely fast USB, hence the reason they are used for connecting video cameras/decks/portable hard drives etc to computers.

Here in Australia they are about 40 dollars or so.. i guess thats about 25 - 30 USD.

Dont forget to get some cable =)

David Hurdon · August 4th, 2003, 09:09 AM

If you need software for editing you might want to check out the ADS Pyro card bundle. For about $60USD you get a great firewire card and some editing software (Ulead VIdeoStudio 6.0 SE DVD
Ulead DVD MovieFactory Wizard PlugIn, Ulead DVD PictureShow). Chances are it's available from a DVinfo sponsor but if you just want to read up you'll find it mentioned here: http://www.videoguys.com/pyro.htm
If you have more money look at the version that comes with Adobe Premiere 6.5.

David Hurdon

Joshua Badour · August 4th, 2003, 11:10 AM

I have a very nice editing system (premiere, photoshop, after effects), I just need the card...

Do they connect to the USB plug?

Thanks for the input guys, I really appreciate it.

David Hurdon · August 4th, 2003, 04:17 PM

"Do they connect to the USB plug?"

Firewire and USB are two distinct computer ports, like serial and parallel in the "old" days. While many cameras today have features that take advantage of USB, for stills or mpeg4 video from removeable media, there are to my knowledge no USB-enabled DV cameras. USB1 is too slow for video and USB2 hasn't been around long enough for anyone to throw their weight behind it for native DV (3.6 MBps). But you can buy combo cards with both firewire and USB ports, and such a card would be fine for your digital camcorder footage, provided the card is OHCI compliant.

David Hurdon

Joshua Badour · August 5th, 2003, 12:58 AM

OK, but like, I would have to plug the card into something to get it to the computer.

I guess what I'm asking, is how does the card work? What does it plug into on the PC, etc.

Thanks

David Hurdon · August 5th, 2003, 04:56 AM

Yes, Joshua, a basic firewire card goes into an open PCI slot inside your computer case. It's like installing a network card or a new video card. Once it's in and recognized you connect the four-pin end of a 4/6 firewire cable to the camcorder and the six-pin end to the firewire card. Take a look at this site (http://www.shortcourses.com/video/chapter08.htm) for some background and images relating to firewire.

David Hurdon

Joshua Badour · August 5th, 2003, 07:08 PM

lol. Can ya dumb it down a little for me?

Anyways, where would I put the card? Is it like installing a new video card? I checked the back of my computer, and I couldn't find any slots where the card could go.

I'll keep looking...

Greven Gomez · August 11th, 2003, 02:52 AM

You need to open your computer case Joshua. Inside on your motherboard there is a row of pci slots, usually white plastic frames, into which you can put cards such as soundcards or in your case, a firewire card.

If you don't know which slots are pci slots, check for example which port your soundcard is connected to and it's probably a pci slot. Then just fina another similar port that is empty.

Note: In brand machines such as HP, the sound, modem and even graphics card can be integrated on your motherboard, i.e. they are not "standalone" pci cards in which case you might not be able to find your pci slots by looking for those cards.

Regards

Greven

August 4th, 2003, 08:26 AM	#1
Joshua Badour Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 32	HELP!!! Firewire port card??? Someone told me earlier I needed a Firewire port card, because my PC doesn't support firewire. What are these cards, how much do they cost, and how can it help me get a connection? I have a Windows 2000 Hewlett Packard. Please, I really need help, I'm trying to get some things to my editor, but I'm falling far behind schedule because I can't get my video to my PC. Any help would be very appreciated. And, as always, your name would be given in the "special thanks" section at the end of my film. (dont get your hopes up, I'm 14)

August 4th, 2003, 09:09 AM	#3
David Hurdon Major Player Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 484	If you need software for editing you might want to check out the ADS Pyro card bundle. For about $60USD you get a great firewire card and some editing software (Ulead VIdeoStudio 6.0 SE DVD Ulead DVD MovieFactory Wizard PlugIn, Ulead DVD PictureShow). Chances are it's available from a DVinfo sponsor but if you just want to read up you'll find it mentioned here: http://www.videoguys.com/pyro.htm If you have more money look at the version that comes with Adobe Premiere 6.5. David Hurdon __________________ Site:http://www.faceliftmarketing.ca Blog:http://www.websitevideo.blogspot.com

August 4th, 2003, 04:17 PM	#5
David Hurdon Major Player Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 484	"Do they connect to the USB plug?" Firewire and USB are two distinct computer ports, like serial and parallel in the "old" days. While many cameras today have features that take advantage of USB, for stills or mpeg4 video from removeable media, there are to my knowledge no USB-enabled DV cameras. USB1 is too slow for video and USB2 hasn't been around long enough for anyone to throw their weight behind it for native DV (3.6 MBps). But you can buy combo cards with both firewire and USB ports, and such a card would be fine for your digital camcorder footage, provided the card is OHCI compliant. David Hurdon __________________ Site:http://www.faceliftmarketing.ca Blog:http://www.websitevideo.blogspot.com

August 5th, 2003, 04:56 AM	#7
David Hurdon Major Player Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 484	Yes, Joshua, a basic firewire card goes into an open PCI slot inside your computer case. It's like installing a network card or a new video card. Once it's in and recognized you connect the four-pin end of a 4/6 firewire cable to the camcorder and the six-pin end to the firewire card. Take a look at this site (http://www.shortcourses.com/video/chapter08.htm) for some background and images relating to firewire. David Hurdon __________________ Site:http://www.faceliftmarketing.ca Blog:http://www.websitevideo.blogspot.com

August 4th, 2003, 08:30 AM	#2
J.J Woodroffe Posting disabled - Contact Admin. Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7	hey josh firewire cards can bought from any computer store. I guess you could think of them as an extremely fast USB, hence the reason they are used for connecting video cameras/decks/portable hard drives etc to computers. Here in Australia they are about 40 dollars or so.. i guess thats about 25 - 30 USD. Dont forget to get some cable =)

August 4th, 2003, 11:10 AM	#4
Joshua Badour Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 32	I have a very nice editing system (premiere, photoshop, after effects), I just need the card... Do they connect to the USB plug? Thanks for the input guys, I really appreciate it.

August 5th, 2003, 12:58 AM	#6
Joshua Badour Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 32	OK, but like, I would have to plug the card into something to get it to the computer. I guess what I'm asking, is how does the card work? What does it plug into on the PC, etc. Thanks

August 5th, 2003, 07:08 PM	#8
Joshua Badour Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 32	lol. Can ya dumb it down a little for me? Anyways, where would I put the card? Is it like installing a new video card? I checked the back of my computer, and I couldn't find any slots where the card could go. I'll keep looking...

August 11th, 2003, 02:52 AM	#9
Greven Gomez Tourist Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Sweden Posts: 3	You need to open your computer case Joshua. Inside on your motherboard there is a row of pci slots, usually white plastic frames, into which you can put cards such as soundcards or in your case, a firewire card. If you don't know which slots are pci slots, check for example which port your soundcard is connected to and it's probably a pci slot. Then just fina another similar port that is empty. Note: In brand machines such as HP, the sound, modem and even graphics card can be integrated on your motherboard, i.e. they are not "standalone" pci cards in which case you might not be able to find your pci slots by looking for those cards. Regards Greven