daisy chaining STILL needs the computer as the controller. The "DV storage devices" that connect over Firewire and don't need a computer are quite expensive (since a computer is built into them). This is not "daisy chaining" but "field expanded storage, etc.".

Actually, most Firewire devices can be daisy chained (each device connected in a long chain, one to another, with the computer at the end of the chain). Most Firewire devices (aside it seems from camcorders!) DO have 2 or more Firewire ports on them. I don't think I've ever seen an external Firewire hard disk without 2 ports just for daisy chaining! (USB works more in a "spoke and hub" approach and can't be daisy chained.)

Anyway, I'd avoid daisy-chaining a disk drive and the camcorder. Specifically don't use
COMPUTER --- DISK --- CAMCORDER
because the 100Mbps speed of the camcorder's Firewire can force the chain down to 100Mbps speeds rather than the 400Mbps speed tha disk can communicate with the computer at (if not chained down to a slower device like the 100Mbps camcorder).

You should have
COMPUTER --- DISK and
COMPUTER --- CAMCORDER
You can have them both hooked up simultaneoulsy, but use separate Firewire ports on the computer. This way both can run at their top speeds and the slower camcorder can't make the disk slow down.


Some people have reported that doing the hookup in a daisy chain will still work - there is enough capacity to still handle the 4MB/sec DV transfer rate. But I'd rather have it hooked up to make sure there will be plenty of bandwidth even if it isn't needed.

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Sony HDV camcorder info (FX1, CX7, HC3 HC5, SR1/3/5/10, SR11, SR12, TG1, UX1, Z1) -> http://www.SonyHDVinfo.com