Need help choosing USB or Firewire interface

[Kidfixer]

I apologize if this topic has already been covered in another thread...just couldn't find anything using the search feature.

I'm looking for the most reliable interface for recording guitar tracks on a Windows 7 (32 bit) PC. I've read that a lot of interfaces work well with Mac and OS-X, but are worthless on a Windows machine (due to poor driver support, etc). My needs are simple (2+2 XLR), just want to record my guitar amp using the built-in "RedBox" DI... so I'm looking for units in the Sub-$200 range. So far, the only one I've read good things about is the Alesis iO2 Express.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Mo Facta]

There are many.

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
M-Audio FastTrak
Line6 Somethingorother

Check out the Line6 Website.

Cheers

 

[TimOBrien]

As long as you are recording under 16 simultaneous tracks, usb vs. firewire doesn't matter. (you need firewire for more than 16)

Usb is pretty darn universal.
If you go firewire, you just NEED texas instruments firewire chips in your computer's firewire card.

Here's a starter guide: Audio Interfaces and Soundcards

 

[Pahtcub]

As I've said before at this moment in time USB is the most future proof interface connection type as firewire is making it's way out and USB 3 and thunderbolt making their ways in. At least USB 3 will be backwards compatible so anything you buy usb 2 now will at least work later, after so many interface disappointments starting with PCI then firewire in my personal history I'm looking more towards the future now in my interface purchases.