vj wrote:
Hi all,

I have a Sony MiniDV handycam model DCR HC 18. I understand that using
Firewire connection to transfer video to PC (and subsequently for
burning DVD out of it) provides a better quality as compared to USB.
Now I am not sure which is the firewire port in my PC/Laptop. My
Handycam has an output marked 'DV out' and with a symbol 'i' near it
(second output from left out of four outputs present) that I
understand is the output where firewire cable is to be connected
(there is another output near it (first from left) with a USB sign on
it). Now, my problem is like this:

I have two cables, which both fit in the 'DV out' port of the
handycam. Out of these two, one cable is having identical connector at
the other end, and my laptop and my Desktop both have a port which
matches this. The second cable is having a slightly bigger connector
at the other end (of the size of a USB connector but thinned out
slightly from one side, sorry I don't know what it is called). My
Desktop has a receptacle for this as well, whereas my Laptop doesn't.

These cables should both be firewire cables, one with a compact plug on
both ends and one with a compact plug on one end and full-sized plug on
the other.
This is a picture of a full-sized firewire plug:
http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/360773/2/istockphoto_360773_firewire_plug.jpg
and this is a compact firewire plug:
http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/360795/2/istockphoto_360795_firewire_plug_small.jpg

I am not sure which cable out of these two gives a better quality
video. Please suggest.

Which-ever cable can plug into both your camcorder and laptop at the
same time should be the correct one.
If you have your capture/editing software running and then plug in your
camcorder, it should be recognised and then be controllable via the
transport controls (play, stop, fastforward and rewind) inside the
program to cue up the video you wish to capture to your computer.

Also, what is the 'LANC' output (fourth from left and last output
provided on the handycam)?

From my own research into this, it appears that the LANC port is for
some sort of data/control signal.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LANC seems to bear this out, but I've never
used any LANC accessories and so can't really say one way or the other.