What does FireWire actually do? Are there alternatives?
FireWire is an interface standard that connects your computer and DV device (your DV camera or VCR). It has two functions: First, to control your DV device, and second to exchange data between the computer and DV device. These are related but separate functions, all of which are integrated into one convenient record/play back system. So using FireWire, you can tell your camera to play, pause, fast-forward, rewind and stop, and you can tell the computer to capture what’s being sent to it. You can also tell your camera to record what’s being sent to it by the computer. There are some other systems for control of camcorders and VCRs, which are generally used with older analogue equipment. However, your digital camcorder may have one of these ports so you can more easily integrate it with analogue video systems. Control-L, which was previously marketed as LANC, in a slightly different form, is Sony’s system. It was invented by Sony, and taken up by Canon and others.
FireWire is an interface standard that connects your computer and DV device (your DV camera or VCR). It has two functions: First, to control your DV device, and second to exchange data between the computer and DV device. These are related but separate functions, all of which are integrated into one convenient record/play back system. So using FireWire, you can tell your camera to play, pause, fast-forward, rewind and stop, and you can tell the computer to capture what’s being sent to it. You can also tell your camera to record what’s being sent to it by the computer. There are some other systems for control of camcorders and VCRs, which are generally used with older analogue equipment. However, your digital camcorder may have one of these ports so you can more easily integrate it with analogue video systems. Control-L, which was previously marketed as LANC, in a slightly different form, is Sony’s system. It was invented by Sony, and taken up by Canon and others. It’s known for not bein
