Usb 2.0 or Firewire card?
Hello, I?ll be buying my first iPod next week - the new 20 gig ipod including Ipod dock etc. So my question: I run Win XP, which card should I buy?
This Firewire card (About 22$):
http://www.webhallen.com/prod.php?id=13552
Or this Usb 2.0 card (about 20$):
http://www.pcsuperstore.se/commerceportal/product.asp?PageNo=PRODUCTCARD&Catalog=hogdata_produktkatalog&ProductId=209913
What are the pros and cons?
Thanks.
[459 byte] By [
Perrie] at [2007-11-9 15:23:36]
# 1 Re: Usb 2.0 or Firewire card?
You can charge the iPod through the firewire card (while you computer is on), you can't do that with the USB card.
# 2 Re: Usb 2.0 or Firewire card?
Go the firewire, because with USB2 you can't charge and you need to buy an additional cable.
Adam at 2007-11-15 17:05:20 >
# 3 Re: Usb 2.0 or Firewire card?
I use USB2 because most computers don't have firewire yet so i couldn't transfer files between Home/Uni/Work without it. Charging is no issue as i just charge through the wall socket and i don't see charging through firewire as a benifit because it means you have to leave your computer on to do so. If you are using your iPod as a portable hardisk i would recommend USB.
And the file transfer speeds are similar.
Kharn at 2007-11-15 17:06:18 >
# 4 Re: Usb 2.0 or Firewire card?
I never actually thought about it like that, thanks Kharn. I guess I'll have to buy a USB cable if I have any faith in the word compatible, or if I'm sharing with my friends. But still, firewire for me.
Adam at 2007-11-15 17:07:29 >
# 5 Re: Usb 2.0 or Firewire card?
Aye, I guess I?ll go with the Firwire card then,
Thanks.
Perrie at 2007-11-15 17:08:28 >
# 6 Re: Usb 2.0 or Firewire card?
I'm going to go with the USB 2.0. Mostly because I ordered a new laptop that is coming with with the USB 2.0 card intalled. My question is, assuming that there are enough ports, can you run USB and Firewire? It seems that it would be nice to have the choice, given the circumstances of what you may be doing at the time.
What sucks is, my ipod should be in tomorrow, but my new notebook won't be here until Monday or Tuesday. It is a Dell 8600 w/ Pentium m processor @ 1.4ghz, 512megs of memory, DVD/CD burner, 60GB HD, WLAN.....blah, blah, blah. The funny thing is, I got it for my ipod:eek: :D
Jwray at 2007-11-15 17:09:27 >
# 7 Re: Usb 2.0 or Firewire card?
I use the USB 2.0......Since I understand there is not much a difference between the 2 sources......
# 8 Re: Usb 2.0 or Firewire card?
With a firewire connection on a PC can you still access the iPod as an external harddrive? Or is this feature only available via USB?
Shadow at 2007-11-15 17:11:33 >
# 9 Re: Usb 2.0 or Firewire card?
USB 2.0:
Pro:
Works w/ all PCs and MACs using USB 1.1 and 2.0
USB 1.1/2.0 Cards are easily available and cheap.
Con:
Must buy extra cable to use iPod - $20
Doesn't charge iPod.
USB cable is a pain because it consists of three cords.
Firewire:
Pro:
Seems to perform a little faster.
Charges iPod.
Less Cord Tangle.
No Lag For Computer to Recognize Connection.
Con:
Like 1% of PCs have a ^$^$ firewire card and they are more expensive that USB 2.0 cards.
For me, I use both the firewire adapter and USB one. The firewire sits on my home PC and I use the USB one at work/school so I can use the hard drive function w/ multiple computers. The firewire supports the hard drive function (faster performance), but my school/work is a Dell world and we all know Dell and firewire doesn't mix.
# 10 Re: Usb 2.0 or Firewire card?
I have both firewire and USB 2, on a dell by the way...and they both work fine. The disk mode works in both firewire and USB 2, and i have heard that the transfer speeds are about the same with firewire having a slightly higher speed. I read that usb 2 has a higher burst speed than firewire, 480 mb/s vs 400 mb/s (I think), but that Firewire has the capability to do isochronous data transfer, which guarantees a given bandwidth from start to finish. This means that while USB 2 may be able to get its bandwidth up to 480 mb/s for a very small ammount of time before drifting down to 200-300 mb/s, Firewire can dedicate 380? mb/s for the whole transfer, which translates into firewire having faster overall transfers.
**I don't believe that the speed difference is very noticeable unless you are transferring a HUGE ammount of files (eg: your first synch), and even then it may only be a matter of a minute or two.**
check out THIS (http://www.pcmag.com/print_article/0,3048,a=36161,00.asp) for some good info on firewire and USB 2
# 11 Re: Usb 2.0 or Firewire card?
I'm using a Dell too, but all the Dell's at school/work don't come w/ firewire. There is a difference between using firewire and usb 2.0 in terms of lag (finding drive), etc. I would say that USB 2.0 is a safe bet. If you don't already have a USB 2.0 card, buy a combo card. That way you don't have to buy another iPod cord and can have the benefits of USB 2.0 - b/c everything out there uses it. Look online... you can find good deals for combo cards.
# 12 Re: Usb 2.0 or Firewire card?
well, i'm confused? i have a sony tr1 that has both firewire and usb 2, and i have both ipod cables, the one that came with, and the one that my friend gave me (usb). not sure after reading this post which is better...and i can't believe that a firewire connection on a pc will charge the ipod!? i thought you needed the pwr adapter for that? i know that's true on a mac, but on a pc?
thx.
# 13 Re: Usb 2.0 or Firewire card?
By USB2, you can use i t with other devices as digital camera, printer, scanner and others.
MOCKBA at 2007-11-15 17:16:37 >
# 14 Re: Usb 2.0 or Firewire card?
My Firewire card charges the iPod. I bought an extra firewire cable because I figured it wouldn't on a PC, but lo, it charges it. It seems Apple has a lot of outdated info floating around.
I wanted to do USB2, but the inability to charge and the necessity of buying a $20 USB cable changed my mind. I use Macs at school and of course they have firewire ports so I just take my cable with me to sync there.
# 15 Re: Usb 2.0 or Firewire card?
The firewire cable will charge the iPod on the PC. The iPod will function *exactly* that same with either the PC or firewire cable. Some might find that one is a little faster than the other on their system. And only firewire charges the iPod, USB 2.0 does not do that (at least for the iPod).
# 16 Re: Usb 2.0 or Firewire card?
Oh, and I would try running backup in winxp and backup something substantial using both cables. The program shows copy speeds/times after you do it. That might help clear up your question.
