A Key Technology Today And In The Future, For Digital-Data Connectivity Is The IEEE 1394 Multimedia-Bus; Designed To Move, Control, And Communicate Today's Digital-Data Seamlessly.

IEEE 1394 Is Known In Different Markets As "FireWire", "DV Port" And "i.LINK".  IEEE-1394 Was Designed For Fluid Transporting And Networking Digital-Data Between Users And Systems, Simply; With A High Level Of Quality; And Move Data To Or Through Systems That Are Busy With Other Tasks And Applications, Without Disruptions!

As the digital revolution continues, this kind of performance enables huge new and exiting opportunities in and for networks populated with every conceivable digital consumer and computer device from storage to printing to display products.

A 1394 network at present can include a personal computer, digital TV, digital set-top box, printer, DVD player, external disk drive, and camcorder.  Because 1394 has been built to support up to 63 nodes in one network, it can easily handle requirements of all of these products and systems at the same time. Also, multiple 1394 networks can be connected together, so -- theoretically -- more than 1,000 systems can communicate together in a super network, which is still just an idea. But it will not be long in arriving.

The 1394 bus in its 1394a version, provides speeds of 400 Megabits/second over distances of 4.5 meters.  These performance capabilities have led to 1394a being designed into almost all high-end camcorders and digital cameras today, along with a long list of hard disk drives, printers, scanners, and other peripherals. Almost all new notebook PCs and many desktop-PCs now are 1394-enabled.

Some typical bandwidths for application are as follows:

MPEG-2 for DTV requires, on average, 8Mbps

Typical IP Network Transfer Rates Range Between 1Mbps And 5Mbps

Digital Video (DV) in camcorders uses 25Mbps

HD DTV Requires Approximately 20Mbps.

As a result, IEEE 1394a offers a high bandwidth network that can support many applications concurrently.

1394b technology builds on the strengths of 1394a and adds critical new capabilities, notably; added bandwidth ? to 800 Megabits/second all the way, eventually, to 3.2 Gigabits/second.

The benefits of 1394b takes the technology to a higher plateau in terms of use and expandability.  To achieve this outcome, the 1394 architecture was altered to navigate across the generations.

1394 specifications are made so applications are independent, thereby making it simple for them to work with evolving IEEE-1394 technologies in the future and devices of the past. To achieve this, the 1394b developers created a new physical port, called the IEEE-1394 ?Bilingual? port.

"IEEE-1394 Bilingual Connector"

New connectors also have been introduced. The first is the "IEEE-1394 Bilingual Connector", Which Connects Physically To A "Bilingual port"; Transferring Both IEEE-1394a and IEEE-1394b Signaling.

"IEEE-1394 Beta Connector"

The other new connector is called the "IEEE-1394 Beta Connector", Which Connects Physically To A IEEE-1394 Beta Port; And Transfers Only 1394b signals.

The addition of new connectors means there are now these cable combinations:

a) Bilingual and 1394a 6-pin

b) Bilingual and 1394a 4-pin

c) Beta to Beta; Used In Future Applications

The current installed base of 1394a-equipped products is generally segmented: the 4-pin connector is typically used in a camcorder, and the 6-pin connector is used on other devices; including personal computers, DTVs, DVDs, and "set-top" box devices.

What IEEE-1394 Cable Do I Need?

The Correct IEEE-1394 Cable Must Be Used Or Adapter.  Over Time, manufacturers will update themselves with IEEE-1394b or become obsolete.  For now, read the manual or consult the Manufacturer of each IEEE-1394 Device, And Look For The Specified IEEE-1394 Version Used.

Future

CGI Computer Wares - IEEE-1394 Technology Application Development, Consulting, Deployment, Implementation.

This technology is continually expanding while maintaining legacy compatibility. It is not a static networking technology. From its inception, IEEE 1394 has been directed at networking a variety of digital applications in a constrained user environment. The standard already offers solutions for MPEG2, DV, IP, audio, and other data types in a network that can be clustered within 4.5 meters, or widely distributed throughout a home or small office. A 1394 network can be set up by connecting equipment with the appropriate cables, with no need for address set-up. Most important, AV applications can be operated continuously without interference even if new equipment is added to the 1394 network. As more 1394-equipped products reach the market, the value of the network will continue to grow, and the 1394-FireWirei.  LINK technology will solidify its leadership as the digital networking standard.

i.LINK?

"i.LINK" is a trademark of Sony, used only to designate that a product contains an IEEE1394 connector!  Contact The Sony Company For Further Definition And Specifications.