firewire

[Rugged]

why is it so hard to find a new computer that has a firewire port? Am I supposed to buy a new video camera now too?

any suggestions?

[LarryFlowers]

why is it so hard to find a new computer that has a firewire port? Am I supposed to buy a new video camera now too?

any suggestions?

Here's a page of firewire cards that will work with your PC http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=firewire+card

The popularity of firewire is on the wane, and with a new high speed USB spec just around the corner, it won't get any better.

Surest way to get a computer with a firewire port... build it yourself!

[harsh]

Firewire has become largely a Macintosh only thing unless you're into professional video editing. There are plenty of adapter cards available as Larry points out.

Many of the nicer camcorders are using flash memory now.

Firewire will likely always be faster than USB.

[Cholly]

Here are several computers at Best Buy. Check the specifications. The HP's all have one firewire (IEEE1394) port.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Desktop-Computers/Entertainment-Desktops/abcat0501002.c?id=abcat0501002

[hdtvfan0001]

In general, firewire did not gain the mainstream acceptance/adoption that its creators likely saw for it. There was alot of hype around it (speed) when it first came out years ago.

The Apple folks seemed to have incorporate it more in their hardware, whereas the PC world did not.

I had one connection using firewire that actually worked pretty well, but also found that devices with this connectivity were often hard to find.

With USB v2.0.....it appears the critical need of faster connectivity diminished. In the case of hard drives...SATA speeds (or eSata) now are widely accepted.

Unless something unique crops up...I don't see the PC world expanding fireware's use or adoption. The MAC world is another thing.

[harsh]

The need for speed will never abate.

What happened was that Apple was charging too high a fee for Firewire inclusion and that killed it for the cost-conscious computer buyer. This may be a good example of stepping over dollars to pick up dimes.

USB is Intel developed technology and Firewire comes from Apple.

[Rugged]

thanks for the comments.

are there any adapters/convertors that I can use to get video from my firewire connection to my USB ports?

[Cholly]

You'll fine quite a few on either Amazon or NewEgg.

[hdtvfan0001]

thanks for the comments.

are there any adapters/convertors that I can use to get video from my firewire connection to my USB ports?
There are hundreds....Google "Firewire to USB adapter".

But that raises the issue as to whether or not your video camera signal can be converted to the PC itself...

I'd read some of the documentation with the camera first...and then the adapters themselves...in theory....it should be similar to how DVI can be converted to use with HDMI devices...but not certain it will actually work in your case.

[CCarncross]

why is it so hard to find a new computer that has a firewire port? Am I supposed to buy a new video camera now too?

any suggestions?

A simple firewire card added to any PC will do the trick, they are dirt cheap as well.

Here's an example:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=40000073%201187112432&Description=firewire%20card&name=PCI%20to%201394%20Card&ActiveSearchResult=True

[Rugged]

A simple firewire card added to any PC will do the trick, they are dirt cheap as well.

Here's an example:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=40000073%201187112432&Description=firewire%20card&name=PCI%20to%201394%20Card&ActiveSearchResult=True

yeah, that's going to have to be my solution. I was hoping to buy an all-in-one computer (like the Dell Studio One) but they don't have any ports. Oh well. it is the easiest solution.

by the way, i couldn't find any such usb/firewire converter.

thanks all.

[elaclair]

yeah, that's going to have to be my solution. I was hoping to buy an all-in-one computer (like the Dell Studio One) but they don't have any ports. Oh well. it is the easiest solution.

by the way, i couldn't find any such usb/firewire converter.

thanks all.

If you don't necessarily need a NEW system, look for a Dell Inspiron M65 (or similar) laptop on e-bay. Not too expensive for you what you get, and firewire is included on that system.

[Cholly]

yeah, that's going to have to be my solution. I was hoping to buy an all-in-one computer (like the Dell Studio One) but they don't have any ports. Oh well. it is the easiest solution.

by the way, i couldn't find any such usb/firewire converter.

thanks all.
Check my earlier post about Best Buy. Typically, you have to look for /entertainment or Home Theater computers in order to find one with a firewire port. I bought my HP m8330f at BB last year, and it has been an excellent performer. It has been replaced by other models, of course.
If you're looking for an all in one model, they have some by HP and Sony (online only)
If you are a member of Sam's Club, they have several computers with firewire ports as well.

[wilbur_the_goose]

Just buy a PCI Firewire card... It'll take 10-15 minutes to install, and you'll probably get three new ports.