At first glance, the distinction between USB and FireWire cameras may appear minor. However, in practical applications such as security, engineering, science, or medicine, these subtle differences become critical factors:

  • Operating Voltage & Current:
    FireWire devices support an operating voltage range of 8 to 30 VDC with a maximum current draw of up to 1.5 A. In contrast, USB devices operate at a fixed 4.7 VDC and are limited to a max current of 0.5 A.

  • Address Retention:
    FireWire devices retain their assigned addresses even after system restarts. USB devices, however, reassign addresses upon rebooting—which can cause issues when multiple cameras are in use.

  • Standardized Protocols:
    Over 50 standardized protocols exist for FireWire devices. For example, uncompressed image transfer and audio channels typically use the DCAM/IIDC protocol. USB cameras rely on proprietary protocols instead of widely adopted standards.

These differences stem from their historical origins. USB evolved as an improvement over RS232 interfaces, while FireWire was developed as a user-friendly alternative to bus systems like SCSI or PCI. While one camera may suffice for basic tasks, the limitations of USB become apparent in demanding scenarios where greater flexibility and robustness are required.

Last Updated: 2025-09-05 02:04:52