What Are The Advantages of Buying Firewire Cards?

Apple computers are almost always compatible with FireWire, but many other computers can also utilize it through certain applications.

There is no need for reformatting when connecting a hard drive between two computers.

Most video cameras already have their own output, which can send the digital media to a computer. Early models of the iPod by Apple also had FireWire.

How Do I Use the Card?

You can't immediately use FireWire with your computer unless it meets certain specifications. To know what these are, calling the manufacturing company of your computer may help. It has become a standard and is compatible with PCs, Macs, and Linux, as long as you have all the required parts.

You will need Windows 98 or 98 SE, Windows ME, XP, one or more ports, a RAM of 64MB, and a Pentium II Processor > 400MHz with your PS.

A CardBus PCMCIA FireWire card should be used with a laptop computer, if FireWire is not yet standard. If, however, you have a desktop computer where this is not standard, it would be best to use a PCI FireWire card.

A Mac must have a Mac OS 8.6, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, OS X, a Power PC Processor >180 MHz, and one or more ports. If this is not standard on your laptop, the Card Bus PCMCIA is recommended.

This also applies to a desktop computer wherein this is not the standard. When your computer is faster, the FireWire functions better. This is because it uses the system processor for most jobs.

What Do I Do If My Computer Has No Port For It?

USB ports are very common, more so than FireWire ports. In the event that your computer does not have a port for this purpose, you can use a PCMCIA or PCI FireWire card to incorporate a port on your computer depending if it is a desktop or laptop.

PCMCIA cards can be bought for $10 to $30 and are easy to install, just by sliding into the slot at the side of a computer. PCI cards can range from $5 to $20 and can also be installed by sliding it into a PCI slot.