An Inside Look at Cables and Connectors (page 2)

The cable types we've dealt with so far are all similar in that they're designed to carry analog signals. IEEE 1394 or FireWire or i.LINK, is special because its main purpose is to carry digital signals. Thus, you'll find FireWire connectors only on equipment that's designed to handle digital signals. In the consumer video market, this equates to Digital8 and Mini DV camcorders and VCRs.

Briefly, the difference between analog and digital signals is this: analog signals carry a continuously varying voltage, which corresponds directly to the type of signal that analog VCRs and televisions were designed to interpret. Digital signals, on the other hand, consist of long strings of numbers in binary notation (zeros and ones). Because digital signals only consist of two values--zero and one--they're much more resistant to noise and other forms of signal degradation. This means that it's possible to copy, say, twenty generations of DV or Digital8 footage without noticing the slightest loss of picture quality.

It's important to remember that although the DV and Digital8 formats are the most prominent applications of FireWire technology to date, in essence FireWire technology has nothing to do with digital video. It's just a way of transferring digital data from one location to another at a high rate of speed. FireWire is a serial data protocol, number 1394, approved by the IEEE (Institute of Electricians and Electronics Engineers).

FireWire connectors come in two basic types: the six-pin connector, agreed upon as a standard over five years ago and the smaller four-pin connector, which has become most prominent on digital camcorders and VCRs. While one connector type will not fit the other, both are interchangeable for all other purposes, which means it's possible to have a FireWire cable with both types of connectors, one at either end.

Like S-video, FireWire connections must remain throughout the signal stream for users to reap all its benefits. In order to get copies or edits without a hint of generation loss, you must use FireWire connections throughout your system. Unfortunately, there are currently no titlers with FireWire connections, and only one special effects generator (Videonics' MXPro DV). FireWire connectors are becoming quite popular on home computers, which have reached a point where they have plenty of muscle for video editing.

FireWire's primary drawback: cable lengths are limited to 15 meters (about 45 feet).

One final note about cables: in general, it's best to buy the highest quality you can afford, to insure the stability of your system and keep generation loss at bay. When purchasing cables, video editors are faced with a wide array of options. Even if you just want a simple yellow-tipped composite video cable, you still find yourself faced with a plethora of types from which to choose. Some boast greater shielding; some even come with built-in hook-and-loop cable ties to help you organize your workspace; some add gold tips. While gold certainly is an excellent conductor, it's usually the case that a gold-tipped connector is an expensive and unnecessary addition to a quality cable. More often than not, an ordinary nickel-plated connector will perform identically to its gold-plated brethren and gold plating has a tendency to flake off in time.

To summarize: whenever you're making analog video connections, use S-video cables if at all possible to minimize generation loss. If you can't use S-video cables, use high-quality composite cables. Avoid using RF cables for anything but viewing video on a monitor. And if you have two or more pieces of video equipment with FireWire connectors, then by all means use FireWire and avoid the ill effects of generation loss entirely.

With all this in mind, go forth and cable your system with confidence.

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