FireWire is just another name for the IEEE 1394 terminal. It's a standard for all video equipment so that they can talk to each other. I don't know the rules, but I think that it has to be installed on all video equipment. According to the Canon website, the Visitura can be hooked up to a VCR and you can edit using software in the camera. It's linear, and obviously you can't do a great editing job. But you can put together a rough cut. Check your VCR. I think you should be able to hook up your Optura with the cables that come with it.(posted 9222 days ago)