Thus, if possible, it is typically best to use devices with compatible ports. So, unless you are using a USB 3.0 or higher port, you may not get the full data transfer capabilities of the device. For example, if you connect a Firewire device to a USB port using an adapter, you will be limited to the data transfer rate of the port (up to 12Mbps USB 1, up to 480Mbps for USB 2 and up to 20 Gbps for USB 3). Using an adapter is typically the simplest way and least expensive way to deal with connecting a Firewire device to a USB port or vice versa.

Either can work for your needs, although dongles are significantly more common. Like the Firewire to USB adapters, adapters for this are usually dongles or full wires. If you are unsure, make sure you are plugging into a USB port, not a Thunderbolt one (often marked with a small thunder icon). Depending on the port and the adapter, plugging into Thunderbolt may not work. However, sometimes DisplayPort uses the Type-C connector. If you have a Firewire to USB adapter that has a USB Type-C connector, keep in mind that some modern computers have non-USB ports that use the Type-C connector.

If you own a Firewire device, such as a camera, you should consider getting an adapter. This is a very easy way to connect your devices and requires minimal technical knowledge (all you need to be able to do is identify which port is which). These have the Firewire connector on one end and the USB connector on the other and can connect the device straight to the computer. Some are designed as Firewire to USB cables. Adapters are typically dongles, small devices with a short wire that plugs into the USB port and an integrated Firewire port.

Firewire interface for laptop