2
Overview
About DV Technology
DV technology is a standard digital file and compression format for
recording video and audio data onto a digital tape. DV uses
compression to reduce the enormous size of the uncompressed
video data (up to 50 full-screen bitmap images per second) to file
sizes manageable by desktop computers.
A DV camera digitizes and compresses video before recording to
tape. In playback mode, the camera can decompress DV data and
display in real time. The camera can also transfer the data, using
FireWire, directly to a hard drive where it can be edited and then
transferred back to tape. DV conversions and data transfers
provide better video quality than processes involving analog
conversion.
About FireWire Technology
FireWire is an international standard data transfer protocol created
by Apple Computer, Inc. and ratified by the International
Standards Organization as IEEE 1394. Like other data I/O
protocols such as SCSI, Fibre Channel, and IDE, FireWire itself
knows nothing about video, compression, or editing. It is a series of
standardized commands for moving data from one device to
another.
FireWire offers advantages that make it ideal for use with audio
and video devices:
■
It’s fast
—It has 100/200/400 Mbps, or 12.5/25/50 MBps data
transfer rates.
■
It’s guaranteed
—Isochronous data transfers offer guaranteed
bandwidth, ensuring full-frame, full motion video and CD-
quality audio. Asynchronous transfers are also supported.
■
It’s consumer friendly
—Small connectors, hot-pluggable
(meaning you can connect and disconnect FireWire devices
without rebooting a computer), and no need for terminators
or setting device IDs.
■
It’s expandable
—Supports up to 62 devices (16 daisy-
chained) with a 4.5-meter flexible cable between devices over
a total length of up to 72 meters or 240 feet.
FireConnect AFW-1430 UG.book Page 2 Monday, August 20, 2001 6:41 PM
