I have a Panasonic PS-GV70D digital camcorder. I am trying to import
video from my DV cassette to my computer. The Firewire to USB cable
included with the camcorder can only transfer items recorded on to the
memory card and not from the cassette. I contacted Panasonic and was
told that I should buy a ieee 1394 firewire cable and a interface
card. Being not very technology literate I asked my dad. He says I
need to know the data transfer rate of my camcorder. After pouring
through the manual and more calls to Panasonic, I have not been able
to find this information. Could anyone help? Plus, is there a
difference between a 4 pin and 6 pin card?

Also, I'd be grateful for any recomendations on interface cards and video software.

A Firewire-400 (IEEE 1394) card should meet your purposes.  The PC
(PCI slot) versions normally come with a 6 pin connector interface for
the cable connection, and a 6 pin to 4 pin cable to connect to the
camcorder (the two power pins are left out as the camera supplies its
own power).

You can also buy a Firewire-800 card if you like and a bilingual
cable.  The firewire-800 is backward compatible with the -400 (the
camera may not support this high of a speed).

I was unable to find Panasonic PS-GV70D specifics, but the above
generally applies to the camcorders.

Resources:

Firewire PCI cards (note some come with video related software):
http://www.firewire-1394.com/cards-firewire-desktop-pci.htm (just one
example site, there are many others if you search Google for Firewire
PCI card).

Firewire cable information:
http://www.mycableshop.com/techarticles/FirewireCabling.htm

Firewire 800 information and link to bilingual cable:
http://www.firewire-1394.com/what-is-firewire-800.htm

--
I am not an official GA researcher.

Thanks for the information. I'll look into it. You have been ver helpful.