FireWire vs. USB 2.0

[poomshanka]

I have FireWire and USB card readers for my CompactFlash cards. USB is slooooooow, and FireWire is much faster.

I also have some SD cards, and would like to get a fast reader for those too. I got one of those 6-in-1 FireWire card readers (Brand-X, looks like someone put it together in their garage), and now it's crapped out on me.

I see USB 2.0 card readers that will read my SD cards, and was wondering how they compare speed-wise to FireWire. I know the regular USB vs. FireWire thing is no contest.

I was also wondering if there's some kind of adapter that enables a CompactFlash card reader to read an SD card.

Thanx in advance for any light you can shed....

...D

[Chuck(G)]

Consider that the iPod was originally Firewire; Apple's move to USB wasn't a decision made lightly.

There's a bit of a marketing game going on with USB 2.0. A device can be USB 2.0 compatible without being capable of high-speed data transfer. So I'm going to use the term "USB 2.0 HS" for devices than implement both the speed and functionality.

USB 2.0 Hi-Speed theoretically clips along at 480 Mbit/second (peak), while Firewire 400 is about 393 Mbit/second. On the other hand, Firewire S800 can do about 786 Mbit/second peak. In actuality, USB 2.0 HS devices never get close to hitting the peak transfer rate, while Firewire devices do considerably better.

Firewire devices generally incur less system overhead per transfer than USB devices, so they're capable of higher sustained transfer rates, generally speaking.

But USB is everywhere--and you can buy "many in one" USB flash card readers for peanuts.

[ThomasP]

From my limited knowledge, based on internet research, I have found the following.

USB 2.0 has "bursts" of speed up to 480mbps and Firewire has a constant transfer rate of 400mbps.

It was also explained to me that in small files, like pictures and photos, in small amounts (i.e. one at a time), USB will be faster, or have an indecipherable difference.

Firewire on the other hand will maintain a speed of 400mbps. The big difference is when you transfer large files (movies, complete folders, music, etc.).

I would think that if you use USB 2.0 for just pictures the transfer rate will be fine, but if you have to transfer entire hard drives, you'd wish you had a Firewire doing the transfer.

I hope this helps.

Personally, I have an iPod (it updates fine), and an external hard drive (Firewire).

Also, if you have Firewire 800 there's no contest, it transfers at 800mbps!!

[SplatterTone]

If the USB is slow, then it is probably running at version 1 speed. Version 2 is plenty fast. For reading a gig or two from a flash card, the difference between USB 2 and firewire will be trivial.

If your motherboard does not do USB 2, a PCI card that will do it should cost no more than $20. I have this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6815166001
and it works A1 ichiban OK.