HDMI can only transfer video, it cannot transfer any information (well, newer devices can transfer internet, but that's a different story).
If you would like to transfer data, the best way would be to use ethernet or Firewire. If you chose to use Firewire, you would need a 6-pin Firewire 400 to Firewire 800 cable (or equivalent adapter paring). The other option would be to use ethernet. If they are on the same network, depending on your router/switch configuration, you can get fairly good speed by just connecting the two and sharing files. You can also, however, connect the two directly. Quick note, you need to share the network for the firewire method, or use Target Disk Mode. As far as using USB to transfer files, you should be aware of the differences in speeds between the various USB protocols... Below is a listing of those, plus other transfer protocols, for everyone's edification. ;) In *bits* per second, that is: - USB 1.1 = 12 Mbit/s - Firefire 400 = 400 Mbit/s - USB 2.0 = 480 Mbit/s - FireWire 800 = 800 Mbit/s - USB 3.0 = 5 Gbit/s - USB 3.1 = 10 Gbit/s - eSATA = Up to 6 Gbit/s (750 MB/s) right now as it depend on the internal SATA chip. - Thunderbolt = 10 Gbit/s × 2 (2 channels) - Thunderbolt 2 = 20 Gbit/s In *Bytes* per second, that is: - USB 1.1 = 1.5 MB/s - Firefire 400 = 50 MB/s - USB 2.0 = 60 MB/s - FireWire 800 = 100 MB/s - USB 3.0 = 625 MB/s - USB 3.1 = 1.21 GB/s - eSATA = 750 MB/s - Thunderbolt = 1.25 GB/s × 2 (2 channels) - Thunderbolt 2 = 2.5 GB/s Hope this at least helps you out some. On Tue, May 12, 2015 at 9:46 AM, Harry Jacobson-Beyer <[email protected]> wrote: > I have a Western Digital 1 TB external hard drive connected to my iMac > with firewire. I also have the option of connecting it to my computer with > USB or with HDMI. > > Is one method of connecting the drive to my computer better than another? > If so, in what way? > > TIA > > Harry > > _______________________________________________ > MacGroup mailing list > [email protected] > http://www.math.louisville.edu/mailman/listinfo/macgroup >
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