Firewire

is my laptop firewire port ready to get video from My camcorder? do I need special program or drivers for video transfer? I connected the cable to the cam but the Computer won't detect anything like USB does! and when I use program like Vegas Video it does no detect any video capturing device, can anyone help me please? The CD comes with the camcorder does not have or explain anything about drivers for firewire functions yet the camera has a DVD burn button, when I press it and go to it's menu the "DVD Burn" option is disabled,"even when the cable is connected".