3 popular connections
By Kim Komando
| • | FireWire This high-speed format is popular for transferring video from digital camcorders. USB 2.0 Bluetooth |
 |
|
But the specifications for these devices say that they require USB, FireWire or maybe even Bluetooth. These names aren't terribly intuitive, but they're all protocols for linking different devices to a PC.
Let's demystify them, starting with Universal Serial Bus. There are two common flavors of USB, version 1.1 and version 2.0. USB 1.1 has been built into practically every computer (Windows or Macintosh) for the past few years, but USB 2.0 ports have only started to appear as standard equipment on PCs (not Macs) in the past few months.
USB gets faster
So what's the difference between the two? Speed. USB 1.1 moves 12 megabits of data per second while USB 2.0 moves 480 megabits per second. That's 40 times faster.
Why is this important? Think about MP3 music files. These are normally 2.5 to 3 megabytes per song. If you were transferring 1,000 songs to a portable MP3 player, the job would take a half hour or more. If you used USB 2.0, it would take less than a minute.
If you're not sure whether you have USB 2.0 ports, check your system's documentation because the port connectors look identical. If you don't have 2.0, consider upgrading by plugging in an expansion card (desktops) or PC Card (laptops) sold by companies such as Keyspan (www.keyspan.com), IOGear (www.iogear.com) or Adaptec (www.adaptec.com).
Some peripherals don't need a screaming-fast port. Keyboards and mice come in USB versions. They're normally 1.1 because they just don't move that much data. You can hook 1.1 peripherals to 2.0 ports, but they will still run at the 1.1 speed.
FireWire is another screamer. It also is known as IEEE-1394 or i.Link. It was developed by Apple and is often used to transfer video from digital camcorders to Macs and PCs. Video files are huge and like a slew of MP3s, can take a long time to move over a slow connection.
FireWire is less common on Windows PCs than USB 2.0, though it is built into practically every Macintosh sold in the past two or three years. FireWire is slightly slower than USB 2.0, running at 400 Mbps, though it's still plenty fast.
FireWire comes in four-wire and six-wire versions. Six-wire is handier, because it uses electricity from the computer to power add-on devices. So, if you're downloading pictures from a digital camcorder (almost all support FireWire), for instance, you won't drain the gadget's batteries when transferring footage. Four-wire ports require a peripheral to provide its own power.
If you don't have FireWire built in to your system, you can add it with an expansion card or PC card sold by companies such as Keyspan and Adaptec. Opt for the more convenient expansion cards with six-wire connectors.
Both Firewire and USB 2.0 peripherals must be connected by cable to the computer.
Wire-free connections
Bluetooth is a wireless standard used mainly as a way to connect keyboards, mice, hand-held PCs, printers and cell phones to PCs without cables. Right now, Bluetooth only works with a handful of add-ons, such as Microsoft's Bluetooth Desktop Set or the Sony Ericsson T68i cell phone.
What's more, there are only a few options for adding Bluetooth to existing systems. If you plan to install Bluetooth, consider adapters from companies such as DLink (www.dlink.com) and Belkin (www.belkin.com) that plug into USB ports and work with Windows PCs and Macs.
Komando hosts a national radio show about computers and the Internet. To find the station nearest you that broadcasts her show, e-mail listener@komando.com. To subscribe to her e-mail newsletter, send a note to newsletter@komando.com.
