[Mr.Burns]

I need a firewire cable to connect my camcorder to my laptop but it doesn't have a firewire port (i don't think, there is a small 4 pin port next to the USB?), it does have 3 USB ports though.

Whats the differance between USB and firewire? I what can I do to get my camcorder hooked up?

[Bubba]

They're different technologies

If you want a horrible amount of detail, go here.

I imagine that you'll need to get a Firewire card for your laptop.

[Mr.Burns]

Cheers! I have a firewire card but not sure if it will fit in my laptop! do they come in differant sizes?

[Bubba]

It should slot into a cardbus slot on the side (usually) of your lapdog.

It'd probably look like this:

[Mr.Burns]

Sweet, cheers bubba, after reading the info on that link it appears many newer laptops have a 4 pin firewire port which i think mine does, if not I'll look for one of those bad boys above.

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

Firewire is also known as IEEE1394 (the standard) and just to be difficult 'iLink' on Sony Vaio laptops. Large six pin slots (with power)(rare on smaller laptops, common on PC's) are wedge shaped, small 4 pin slots (no power) are kinda 'M' shaped.
4 pin firewire


6 pin firewire

[Mr.Burns]

I have the four pin port in the top picture and a sony vaio lap top. so can I just get a 4 pin fire wire cable and all will be well?

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

most DV camcorders have 4 pin (little) as well, so you need a four pin to four pin cable (little to little). The most common cable supplied with DV cameras are 4 pin to 6 pin (little to big) cos the larger version is more common on PC's. Make sure you get the right one, I've got a nice one from belkin...

[Mr.Burns]

got a 4-4 pin cable yesterday and it works!! thanks for the advice dudes!!