USB works with burst speed, firewire is sustained”
USB usually operates at around 240-280MB/s while it has the potential to spike up to 480MB/s. Firewire is capable of sustaining the 400MB/s speed. Most people prefer firewire when they have the option, but with the new versions of both USB 3.0 and the new firewire, the speeds are ridiculously good either way.