Firewire Vs. USB 2.0. Is it really better?

convertedfrompcconvertedfrompc
Posted:
in Future Apple Hardware edited January 2014
I know a lot of people probably have opinions one way or the other. I just decided I was going to go out and purchase an Archos JB 20GB HDD/MP3 because of it's compatibility with PC's, but at the same time it uses USB 2.0 and not firewire. There are a few cards from Adaptec and Orange Micro for a PM, but does any one think SJ will incorporate USB 2.0 into Apple's new models? Also, does anyone know what the realistic everyday transfer speed is from 480Mbps/400Mbps to MBps? :confused:



PS- I made a comparison chart in Word that covers most major details between the iPod and Archos' Jukebox models if anyone wants a copy for purchasing decisions (I couldn't decide without making it first)



-Helping PC users see the light, one victim at a time- CFPC

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 11
    mrbilldatamrbilldata Posts: 489member
    Did you consider the Archos multimedia jukebox ?

    It should be available really soon.
  • Reply 2 of 11
    *l++*l++ Posts: 129member
    If you only have a single device on the bus, you will probably not see the difference between USB 2.0 and Firewire (400Mbps).



    If you don't, you will start encountering a number of issues depending on configuration with USB 2.0. USB runs at the speed of the slowest device on the bus. The problem is already visible if you connect both your USB printer and the mouse to the keyboard hub instead of directly to an unused port with USB 1.1. It only gets worse with USB 2.0.



    There are also issues with the hubs as data has to be repeated.



    The last issue with USB 2.0, is that it still requires more CPU interaction (work) than Firewire.



    [ 05-13-2002: Message edited by: *l++ ]</p>
  • Reply 3 of 11
    paulpaul Posts: 5,278member
    [quote]Originally posted by ConvertedFromPC:

    <strong>PS- I made a comparison chart in Word that covers most major details between the iPod and Archos' Jukebox models if anyone wants a copy for purchasing decisions (I couldn't decide without making it first)</strong><hr></blockquote>



    If it's not too much trouble, would you mind taking a screen shot and posing it here? Intrested to see what it looks like... thnx



    -Paul
  • Reply 4 of 11
    matsumatsu Posts: 6,558member
    Firewire also provides more bus power. You can still do bus powered devices off of USB, but things like fast HDD's, or charging directly from the port are less of a worry if you use the firewire port.



    Also firewire IS the DV standard, so whatever else happens in the USB v. Firewire debate, the life of firewire is assured for the next decade of digital I/O. Video cam makers are basically agreed to future iterations of firewire for their HD DV Cams. Some high end manufacturers already have 800Mbps cameras announced or shipping and the Native HD DV Cams that studios use will go for 1600 and 3200Mbps variants.



    I don't know why more consumer still camera makers aren't using firewire now. They could solve all of their docking/charging issues by using the firewire port.



    One advantage of USB 2.0 is its backwards compatibility with USB 1.1. You don't get the speed but you can still use the old plug. Things like scanners, printers, and still cameras could serve both the old 1.1 users and the faster 2.0 users without the need to invest in 2 interface plugs. I still think it's a crap solution that should be restricted to mice, keyboards, printers, joysticks, and the odd digital mic.



    Firewire should be on more scanners (there are a couple of mid-range scanners that use firewire and they fly compared to USB offerings) And there really ought to be a 5.1 consumer soundcard/digital amplifier combination running off firewire. There are some neat music friendly technologies (m-Lan) possible over firewire.
  • Reply 5 of 11
    convertedfrompcconvertedfrompc Posts: 53member
    I don't know how to put it up because I've never sourced anything on here, so I cut and pasted the document into a jpg image. Hope it shows up alright.





    -CFPC



  • Reply 6 of 11
    paulpaul Posts: 5,278member
    cool chart... You probably know this and dont care about the functionaality of it, but you can put contacts on the iPod... not that great, but something...



    looks like the iPod has a lot more blue AND red... leave it to apple to have kick ass design but leaving users wanting more... <img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[No]" />
  • Reply 7 of 11
    wrong robotwrong robot Posts: 3,907member
    I think the built in Lithium polymer battery is a PLUS because I don't like double AAs....I'm assuming 4x lithium AAs is the recommended type used...if not then you could probably get alot more battery life using AA lithium batteries
  • Reply 8 of 11
    vinney57vinney57 Posts: 1,162member
    In real world tests (BareFeats et al) USB2 is about half the transfer speed of FirWire.
  • Reply 9 of 11
    vinney57vinney57 Posts: 1,162member
    Or even FireWire...
  • Reply 10 of 11
    convertedfrompcconvertedfrompc Posts: 53member
    AA batteries are a bonus to me because you don't have to be near a firewire port to charge your player up. You can be on a trip far from home and just pick up a couple AA Duracells or something if you need them and be on your way again. I would like to have Firewire because I think it is a better solution, but USB is on both PC and Apple machines. I can be sure that if I carry around presentations and files, I can easily transfer them to the computer that I'm at or grab files for home. I'm still confused about the actual transfer speeds of both however. Thanks for the good response so far.



    -CFPC
  • Reply 11 of 11
    applenutapplenut Posts: 5,768member
    [quote]Originally posted by ConvertedFromPC:

    <strong>I know a lot of people probably have opinions one way or the other. I just decided I was going to go out and purchase an Archos JB 20GB HDD/MP3 because of it's compatibility with PC's, but at the same time it uses USB 2.0 and not firewire. There are a few cards from Adaptec and Orange Micro for a PM, but does any one think SJ will incorporate USB 2.0 into Apple's new models? Also, does anyone know what the realistic everyday transfer speed is from 480Mbps/400Mbps to MBps? :confused:



    PS- I made a comparison chart in Word that covers most major details between the iPod and Archos' Jukebox models if anyone wants a copy for purchasing decisions (I couldn't decide without making it first)



    -Helping PC users see the light, one victim at a time- CFPC</strong><hr></blockquote>



    <a href="http://arstechnica.infopop.net/OpenTopic/page?q=Y&a=tpc&s=50009562&f=48409524&m=2220924941&; p=1" target="_blank">http://arstechnica.infopop.net/OpenTopic/page?q=Y&a=tpc&s=50009562&f=48409524&m=2220924941&; p=1</a>
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