Firewire card

[zickler]

Hello,

I recently purchased a new Dell Dimension 8400 computer. It has a video card described as 128 MB PCI Express™ x16 ATI Radeon™ X300 SE inc DVI/VGA-TV out via S-video port. I have just taken some video footage with a mini dv digital camera and I want to bring this into edit in Premiere. My question is does the video card above include firewire or do I have to get and install a separate firewire card ? If I have to purchase a separate firewire card can I go to a computer shop and get one or do I have to be careful to get a particular type that is for example compatible with Windows XP ?

Thank you in advance

 

[micker377]

Firewire" (IEE1394) is not a component of the video card. Just as you have Serial, parallel, and USB ports, you need Firewire ports. If the computer doesn't have them, you CAN add a PCI card that adds them to the computer. Any "off the wall" card should work OK. Look at the front of the case, you may have inputs for Audio, USB, and Firewire. There may be holes for them, but nothing filling the holes. Post back with what you do have.

 

[zickler]

Thank you very much for replying. I have two USB 2.0 ports in the front and six USB 2.0 ports in the back. There is also 5 card slots for PCI cards, with no mention in the manual of a firewire port already installed, I presume if I buy a firewire card that I install it in one of these card slots ?

Thanks again.

 

[micker377]

That's correct. When you go to buy a card, look at how many ports it has. I mention this because you can get cards with 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 ports, all at near the same price. Might as well get more than you need!

By the way, near the front USB ports, is there any mention of "Firewire" or IEE1394"?