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    Firewire Vs. USB on External HD

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Doz, Nov 21, 2007.

  1. Doz

    Doz Newbie

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    I know Firewire is faster than USB for an external HD for transferring files over and stuff. But since I put my music and movies on my external, I'm only interested in whether or not USB will affect the playback of that stuff? My current external HD is firewire and plays the stuff well, but I'm wondering if my next HD can be a cheaper USB only one since I don't mind taking a few extra minutes to transfer files.

    Thanks for the help.
     
    Doz, Nov 21, 2007
    #1
  2. By ToR

    By ToR Notebook Evangelist

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    Firewire has higher sustained transfer rates, so moving large files to/from external drives should be faster.
    For movie and audio playback you won't see a difference, of course only when using USB2 which I guess you are using now.
    As an example of USB2 reliability, newer generations of Ipod only support USB file transfers...similar performance and lower costs than FW.
    Good Luck!
     
    By ToR, Nov 21, 2007
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  3. Doz

    Doz Newbie

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    Thank you, Saves me lots of $$$
     
    Doz, Nov 21, 2007
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