Is it better to download a file via firewire from the camera to a PC?

Or to remove the card and copy it across using a reader?

Does it make a significant difference?

Thanks

[senu]

Originally Posted by Gasman2

Is it better to download a file via firewire from the camera to a PC?

Card Camcorder use USB not firewire. With fire wire and tape you are capturing a data stream at high speed ( albeit real time)

Or to remove the card and copy it across using a reader?

Does it make a significant difference

It doesn't make a difference as long as you copy everything in the card . Some even image it
If you don't want to play the footage back via the camcorder it doesn't matter . If you do best to return to card exactly all you copied from it as it was

[A n d r e w]

Originally Posted by Gasman2

Does it make a significant difference?

Using a reader can be easier if your camcorder needs to be connected to the mains in order to connect to your PC via USB. Shenanigans.

Ah! Thanks for that. Something new. I always thought firewire could be used for copying data too.

What is the difference between copying the files across and making an image?

[senu]

Originally Posted by Gasman2

Ah! Thanks for that. Something new. I always thought firewire could be used for copying data too.

What is the difference between copying the files across and making an image?

I suppose its like copying the contents of an optical disc, or imaging it
The differences are that copying may copy all the data but imaging copies the whole structure ( including formatting ect)
This is impt if the card has been used for other things and you now need it to play files off the PC
If you are unlucky, they may not play because the camcorder needs the whole file structure intact on the card to recognise index points ect
If camcorder playback after download to PC is not needed it matters far less

OK - thanks. I think I understand!

[A n d r e w]

Originally Posted by Gasman2

What is the difference between copying the files across and making an image?

If you're using a Mac then another advantage to making a disk image of the entire memory card is that after mounting the disk image on the desktop iMovie and Final Cut behave just as they would if you had connected the camcorder via USB or plugged a card reader in, making disk images a very convenient archive (so long as you have a back-up plan, too).

I'm not sure whether this works on Windows-based PCs or not.

Originally Posted by A n d r e w

If you're using a Mac

No - PC