Firewire vs USB 2.0
[443 byte] By [djl9629] at [2007-11-9 12:17:52] 
I have a 15GB ipod, but my laptop doesn't have a FireWire port. Manual says I can buy a firewire card (about $40), or buy an "Ipod dock connector to USB 2.0 + FireWire Cable" from Apple (about $20). On the website, it says you need some software for the 2nd option that will be available in June. Does anyone know if the software is available yet? Any advanatages in going with the USB connector over FireWire, or vice versa? Thanks.
# 1 Re: Firewire vs USB 2.0
The software is not out yet.If your laptop has USB2.0, then speeds should be fine.
vkeks05 at 2007-11-15 17:06:46 >
# 2 Re: Firewire vs USB 2.0
I did a test.Transfered a 1gig file from my pc to my notebook once via firewire and once via USb 2.USB 2 was 30 seconds fasterFanaticBee at 2007-11-15 17:07:46 >
# 3 Re: Firewire vs USB 2.0
how did you test USB 2.0 if the software isn't available yet?djl9629 at 2007-11-15 17:08:45 >
# 4 Re: Firewire vs USB 2.0
FB just transferred directly from PC to laptop.vkeks05 at 2007-11-15 17:09:50 >
# 5 Re: Firewire vs USB 2.0
One huge benefit of firwire: PowerYou're going to find that you miss that. Unless Apple includes a power adaptor of some sort...
Adam
ashawley at 2007-11-15 17:10:49 >
# 6 Re: Firewire vs USB 2.0
I couldn't agree with Adam more. Power is definitely an advantage that firewire has over USB. However, since dj is using a laptop he cannot benefit from this.With regards to Firewire vs. USB 2.0 for use with the ipod...I suggest going the firewire route simply because of Apple's inconsistencies with release dates ;) That June release could easily turn into August.
Crumage at 2007-11-15 17:11:48 >
# 7 Re: Firewire vs USB 2.0
FYI, I just got the "Dock Connector to USB 2.0 + Firewire" cable shipped from Apple. Just tried with the USB 2.0 with my notebook (VAIO Z1, which has USB 2.0 ports), XP simply recognise the iPod as a USB harddrive. No additional drivers/software is required. Ephpod works great with it also.For notebook with 4 pin firewire port, you can still charge your iPod by buying a firewire repeater (i.e. firewire hub).
wilfredt at 2007-11-15 17:12:54 >
# 8 Re: Firewire vs USB 2.0
I've read in some forums that the ipod can only charge on a 4 pin firewire connection as opposed to the 6pin, is this true? Also do you need the belkin firewire card as recommended by apple or can you buy any IEEE1394 card?Bones at 2007-11-15 17:13:46 >
# 9 Re: Firewire vs USB 2.0
No, actually you can only charge the iPod with 6pin firewire. The extra 2 pins are where the power comes. (Hmm...I am talking about the new iPod. I have no idea for the old iPod though)You don't need any 'special' 6 pins firewire ports to charge the device. Any standard 6 pins port with enough power should work. For me, I used an external firewire hub, which draws power from an external power supply. It works great, and is much cheaper than buying an extra iPod power adapter.
wilfredt at 2007-11-15 17:14:54 >
# 10 Re: Firewire vs USB 2.0
Adam apple is including an adapterr.the cable has the conetor for the ipod on one side.on the other side it has the usb jack and the firewirejack to use with the poweradaptor that came with the pod.So u can charge and tansfer at the same timeFanaticBee at 2007-11-15 17:15:50 >
# 11 Re: Firewire vs USB 2.0
This may sound dumb, but how can you tell if your usb is 1.0 or 2.0?TIA
dmarcus48 at 2007-11-15 17:16:49 >
# 12 Re: Firewire vs USB 2.0
The easiest way of course, is the spec. of your hardware tells you.Fore real experience, you can tell easily by the transfer speed. You should have at least 2-3M(bytes) per second for USB 2.0.
If you have played with USB 1.0/1.1 and firewire harddisk, you will surely notice the difference. Well, you should feel the same difference with USB 2.0.
wilfredt at 2007-11-15 17:17:58 >
# 13 Re: Firewire vs USB 2.0
I have a laptop without a firewire port, so I bought a PCMCIA firewire card to use with my new 10GB Ipod. It works great, but there is only one annoying thing, I cannot charge the Ipod while transferring files from Music match. As you can only charge with a 6 pin firewire port.So i'm thinking of getting the USB cable as it comes with 2 connectors, one for the USB port on the PC and the other for the AC adapter, that way you can simaltaneously charge and transfer or do just one.
Any thoughts?
kgj at 2007-11-15 17:18:54 >
# 14 Re: Firewire vs USB 2.0
Yes, you can do that. Actually I just tried this combination yesterday, and it works. (Charge through firewire using AC adapters, and at the same time transfering mp3 thr. USB2.0)But you should make sure you are having USB 2.0 port in your notebook, otherwise it will be sloooooow...
wilfredt at 2007-11-15 17:20:00 >
# 15 Re: Firewire vs USB 2.0
Originally posted by wilfredt Yes, you can do that. Actually I just tried this combination yesterday, and it works. (Charge through firewire using AC adapters, and at the same time transfering mp3 thr. USB2.0)
But you should make sure you are having USB 2.0 port in your notebook, otherwise it will be sloooooow...
Wilfredt, are you using music match? I know that the USB 2.0 cable works without the software patch, and XP recognizes the Ipod, but does music match recognize it and are you able to sync your music libraray?
kgj at 2007-11-15 17:20:53 >
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