USB vs. Firewire

GreyBlueAnt · Unread post by **GreyBlueAnt** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 11:26 pm

Thinking of getting a computer interface device and I'm not sure if i should go USB or firewire. I've been reading alot and it seems like i see alot of complaints with the USB having a long delay times (between playback and record) and some driver issues. I have yet to read anything too bad about firewire setups though. Just thought i'd ask ya'lls opinion.

Brock · Unread post by **Brock** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 11:27 pm

If you have a Firewire card, Firewire without a doubt, end of story.

GreyBlueAnt · Unread post by **GreyBlueAnt** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 11:32 pm

yea, i've got one built in. why without a doubt?

jsgksu · Unread post by **jsgksu** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 11:32 pm

I got a firewire card for my comp (iPod) it was only like $30 bucks at walmart and transfering songs to the pod is really quick. From what I hear its much better than USB (2) so if you dont mind paying a little extra its the way to go.

GreyBlueAnt · Unread post by **GreyBlueAnt** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 11:33 pm

this is the one i'm leaning towards.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=r ... id/701364/

jsgksu · Unread post by **jsgksu** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 11:34 pm

GreyBlueAnt wrote:yea, i've got one built in. why without a doubt?

its faster

Brock · Unread post by **Brock** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 11:50 pm

To explain why firewire is better than USB requires a bit of background on the differences between the two interfaces. USB is a packet-based technology, which means that it sends data from device to device in packets. However, it waits to fill a packet with a set amount of data before sending the data, so it sends it in "spurts". This leads to the latency that you see exhibited by USB. Firewire, on the other hand is a streaming technology. It sends data as soon as it has data to send and doesn't need or rely on serializing packets, so it is inherently more well-suited to things such as transferring video and audio.

HOWEVER- I am a bit concerned about the Firewire on your computer being built-in. Since it doesn't have a separate controller, that means that the controller duties are handled by the processor. If you have an ample processor, then this shouldn't be a problem. (if your usb ports are integrated as well then it would have the same issue plus the issues inherent in the design of USB)

GreyBlueAnt · Unread post by **GreyBlueAnt** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 11:55 pm

I've got a 2.8MHz Prescott with 1.5G of Ram. I think it should be fine. If not, i can always pick up a firewire card. I think i have one PCI slot left.

eliot1171 · Unread post by **eliot1171** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 9:46 am

I agree with batsell. In this situation firewire will give you the best quality. The processing speed of your computer will not really have and affect on the quality.

T1nM4n · Unread post by **T1nM4n** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 10:02 am

the transfer speeds on the USB 2.0 are faster than that of a firewire, maybe firewaire (because of what was previosly stated about USB being packet based and firewire being stream based) is better for an interface device but as long as u have USB 2.0 it would be faster data transfer, but if your computer is a lil older and still has the 1st version its gunna be way slower then firewire, also if you do have USB2.0 you have to make sure the device your using is 2.0 also, and u have to have a 2.0 cable, if any one of these things isnt 2.0 compatable then its not gunna go at a 2.0 speed also cord length is a factor, the longer the cord the more the speed will decrease, to get maximum performance 3 feet is a desired length

incase you were wondering the speeds...
usb 1.1 - 12Mbps
firewire - 400Mbps
USB 2.0 - 480Mbps

so if i were u and i had USB 2.0 i would definately go with that, i use it for my iPod and it only takes about 1 second per song to upload (depending on song length) then agian it may depend on the use, like i said from what others are saying it sounds like maybe firewire would be better, i have no experience with audio interfaces device, this is based mostly off of my knowledge from experience and a wahtever ive learned in my classes

sound likes bbatsell may know what he is talking about, this is just my take on it

Locarius · Unread post by **Locarius** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:01 am

You forgot about 1394b (aka Firewire 800).

800 Mbps.

Brock · Unread post by **Brock** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 12:07 pm

T1nM4n wrote:the transfer speeds on the USB 2.0 are faster than that of a firewire, maybe firewaire (because of what was previosly stated about USB being packet based and firewire being stream based) is better for an interface device but as long as u have USB 2.0 it would be faster data transfer, but if your computer is a lil older and still has the 1st version its gunna be way slower then firewire, also if you do have USB2.0 you have to make sure the device your using is 2.0 also, and u have to have a 2.0 cable, if any one of these things isnt 2.0 compatable then its not gunna go at a 2.0 speed also cord length is a factor, the longer the cord the more the speed will decrease, to get maximum performance 3 feet is a desired length

incase you were wondering the speeds...
usb 1.1 - 12Mbps
firewire - 400Mbps
USB 2.0 - 480Mbps

so if i were u and i had USB 2.0 i would definately go with that, i use it for my iPod and it only takes about 1 second per song to upload (depending on song length) then agian it may depend on the use, like i said from what others are saying it sounds like maybe firewire would be better, i have no experience with audio interfaces device, this is based mostly off of my knowledge from experience and a wahtever ive learned in my classes

sound likes bbatsell may know what he is talking about, this is just my take on it

USB 2.0 is rated for 480 Mbps, but in real-world applications it hasn't surpassed 300 Mbps last time I checked. Firewire gets up close to 380.

GreyBlueAnt · Unread post by **GreyBlueAnt** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 6:30 pm

I think i'll go the firewire route. Thanks for all the advice.

bbatsell = Q?

iha · Unread post by **iha** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 10:24 pm

bbatsell wrote:If you have a Firewire card, Firewire without a doubt, end of story.

T1nM4n · Unread post by **T1nM4n** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:52 am

bbatsell wrote:
T1nM4n wrote:the transfer speeds on the USB 2.0 are faster than that of a firewire, maybe firewaire (because of what was previosly stated about USB being packet based and firewire being stream based) is better for an interface device but as long as u have USB 2.0 it would be faster data transfer, but if your computer is a lil older and still has the 1st version its gunna be way slower then firewire, also if you do have USB2.0 you have to make sure the device your using is 2.0 also, and u have to have a 2.0 cable, if any one of these things isnt 2.0 compatable then its not gunna go at a 2.0 speed also cord length is a factor, the longer the cord the more the speed will decrease, to get maximum performance 3 feet is a desired length

incase you were wondering the speeds...
usb 1.1 - 12Mbps
firewire - 400Mbps
USB 2.0 - 480Mbps

so if i were u and i had USB 2.0 i would definately go with that, i use it for my iPod and it only takes about 1 second per song to upload (depending on song length) then agian it may depend on the use, like i said from what others are saying it sounds like maybe firewire would be better, i have no experience with audio interfaces device, this is based mostly off of my knowledge from experience and a wahtever ive learned in my classes

sound likes bbatsell may know what he is talking about, this is just my take on it
USB 2.0 is rated for 480 Mbps, but in real-world applications it hasn't surpassed 300 Mbps last time I checked. Firewire gets up close to 380.

ya your probaly right, i sjut know the capable speeds dunno the acual working seeds

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