FireWire for Digital Audio
As an alternate to PCI cards, many manufacturers now offer audio interfaces that
connect to your computer’s FireWire port. These are not DV devices, but merely devices
that use FireWire as a means of transferring digital audio data. FireWire interfaces are
more convenient to switch between computers than PCI cards, and they can be used
with both desktop and portable computers. A FireWire interface typically supports ten
or more inputs, and at least eight outputs.
Computer
USB
RCA connector (2)
Analog or digital VTR
Audio interface
Computer
Breakout box
FireWire 400
(6-pin)
XLR connector (2)
Analog or digital VTR
Chapter 12
Connecting Professional Video and Audio Equipment
191
III
Important:
Although a FireWire bus supports a very high data rate, connecting too
many devices, such as a DV video device, a FireWire hard disk, and a FireWire audio
interface, could potentially exceed the bus speed, resulting in dropped video frames
or audio with missing samples.