esata and firewire vs. usb question

ramkuma

ramkuma

Well-known member
Could someone please provide a compare and contrast of esata, firewire and usb? I am very familiar with usb, and have been uploading my scene files with this. Do esata and firewire upload the same way? Are there different cables you need to to do the upload with esata and firewire? And if so, do these cable connect to the camera the same way as the usb--via mini usb connection? Is esata and firewire simply alternative versions to upload you scene files from the SDCH card to your computer? I have done some internet search on this, and am still clueless. Thanks.
 
Well first off, there are no firewire or eSata ports on the camera. So don't even bother with them. They are different connectors and require different cables, and firewire comes in 3 different pin outs, 4 pin, 6pin and 9pin for firewire 800.
If you edit video and use an external HDD as a scratch disk, use firewire. Firewire is better than USB in the way that it works for data transfer.
 
So, if I've got this straight, the intent of using Firewire or esata is to increase the speed of transferring data from your file scene storage (e.g. external hard drive) to your editing hardware/software? And that the thing your editing with would have imports for a firewire or esata cable?

Is it just a matter of patience? If say, you have 6 real time hours of footage stored on MTS files how long would it take to upload these files via USB vs. Firewire? Are there typically problems (e.g. drop outs) with uploading from USB other than just a time issue?
 
ramkuma said:
So, if I've got this straight, the intent of using Firewire or esata is to increase the speed of transferring data from your file scene storage (e.g. external hard drive) to your editing hardware/software? And that the thing your editing with would have imports for a firewire or esata cable?

Is it just a matter of patience? If say, you have 6 real time hours of footage stored on MTS files how long would it take to upload these files via USB vs. Firewire? Are there typically problems (e.g. drop outs) with uploading from USB other than just a time issue?
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I honestly have no idea what you just said. All I'm saying is this; if you are going to edit video in Final Cut, Premiere, whatever; and are planning to use an external hard drive for your scratch disk, buy one that has Firewire 800 or eSata. eSata is faster than USB and firewire transfers data in a constant stream, unlike USB.
Unless you are planning to do large editing projects in a NLE program, forget about firewire and eSata in regards to your cameras scene file settings. Again, it's not even an issue because you can't connect any firewire or eSata device to the camera because it lacks the physical ports.
 
Firewire, USB and eSata are all bus types with different cable types. They are used to connect peripherals to computers.

Firewire is typically used to connect hard disks and "some" video cameras to computers. When connecting a hard disk via firewire, the hard disk can be used just like any internal hard disk. When you are transferring video from a camera via firewire you will need to use an application (e.g. FCP) to do the transfers. There are also some firewire card readers that means you can insert a card in to the reader and copy the files to other hard disks (as if the card were a hard disk).

eSata is like firewire in that you can use it for external Sata hard disks to the computer and use like they were internal hard disks.

USB is more flexible. It can be used for Hard Disks, just like Firewire or Sata, but it can also be used for transferring video or still files from cameras, or connect card readers for transfer of data from cards to the computer hard disks (as files). It can of course also be used for keyboards, mice, speakers etc.

The busses are NOT interchangeable and each uses a different cable type.

Generally eSata will be the fastest for external hard disks, followed by Firewire which marginally edges out USB 2. USB 1 is outdated and slow. USB 3 is faster but not widely available yet.

You can only use/connect devices that have the same ports - you cannot connect an eSata drive via USB etc.
 
I use eSata and USB 3 (I built the unit myself and installed a USB 3 card in my computer) for my external drives used for project files as well as back-up. Using USB 2 can be problematic when attempting to copy large file sizes, and can take an extraordinary amount of time to transfer files. I do not recommend it for that reason. Go with eSata or USB 3 as they become more available.
 
sewolla said:
I use eSata and USB 3 (I built the unit myself and installed a USB 3 card in my computer) for my external drives used for project files as well as back-up. Using USB 2 can be problematic when attempting to copy large file sizes, and can take an extraordinary amount of time to transfer files. I do not recommend it for that reason. Go with eSata or USB 3 as they become more available.
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Will USB 3 have the same type of connectin points, i.e., will you be able to use the same cable that you use now for USB? Thanks everyone. I have a better understanding of this.
 
abeas said:
I honestly have no idea what you just said. All I'm saying is this; if you are going to edit video in Final Cut, Premiere, whatever; and are planning to use an external hard drive for your scratch disk, buy one that has Firewire 800 or eSata. eSata is faster than USB and firewire transfers data in a constant stream, unlike USB.
Unless you are planning to do large editing projects in a NLE program, forget about firewire and eSata in regards to your cameras scene file settings. Again, it's not even an issue because you can't connect any firewire or eSata device to the camera because it lacks the physical ports.
Click to expand...


Sorry. I shouldn't have used the word "scene file." I simply meant digital footage.
 
ramkuma said:
Will USB 3 have the same type of connectin points, i.e., will you be able to use the same cable that you use now for USB? Thanks everyone. I have a better understanding of this.
Click to expand...

No you will need a new card for your computer with the USB ports in it. But they are cheap at about $40.00. If you cannot install it yourself it would be easy and low cost enough to have a local shop like Fry's to do it for you. And it faster than eSata as well. Well worth such a minor investment!
 
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Asus card?

Asus card?

sewolla said:
No you will need a new card for your computer with the USB ports in it. But they are cheap at about $40.00. If you cannot install it yourself it would be easy and low cost enough to have a local shop like Fry's to do it for you. And it faster than eSata as well. Well worth such a minor investment!
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I have a MacPro Dual Quad 2.8 and OSX 10.5.8. I've seen reviews of an Asus card that has both the latest eSata and USB 3.0 ports. Does anyone know if this is a plug and play for the Mac? Do I need drivers? Is the USB 3.0 hole the same as USB 2.0?
 
accelv said:
I have a MacPro Dual Quad 2.8 and OSX 10.5.8. I've seen reviews of an Asus card that has both the latest eSata and USB 3.0 ports. Does anyone know if this is a plug and play for the Mac? Do I need drivers? Is the USB 3.0 hole the same as USB 2.0?
Click to expand...

I've yet to see any Mac compatible USB3 cards.

Don't know why.
 
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