How It Works: IEEE 1394

How It's Sold: IEEE 1394

IEEE 1394 was developed by Apple Computer, which calls the technology FireWire. Originally developed in 1986, FireWire was approved by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers as an industry standard in 1995, garnering the ungainly name IEEE 1394-1995. The current revision to the standard, IEEE 1394.A, includes specifications for 100-, 200-, and 400-mbps transfer speeds; isochronous data mediation; hot plugging; plug-and-play; and cable power. A new version, IEEE 1394.B, is in the works and will support speeds of up to 1.6 gigabits per second and extends the maximum cable length to 100 meters.

While Apple began including FireWire ports on some of its Macintosh computers in 1998, PC vendors have been slower to implement the standard. NEC, Compaq, and Sony (which sells IEEE 1394 devices under the name i.Link) all offer desktop systems with IEEE 1394 connectors, although the connectors are standard only on high-end systems. Sony has also added IEEE 1394 support to some of its notebooks. While IEEE 1394 advocates are pushing for such ports on all systems, USB proponents believe the upcoming USB 2.0, with its 480-mbps transfer speed, will be the only port you need.

If your PC doesn't have IEEE 1394 connectors, you can add them with PCI cards. Manufacturers including VST Technologies and Adaptec make PCI-to-1394 cards. CardBus cards are available for portables. If you decide to add one of these cards to your PC, make sure you have enough processing power: You'll want at least a 300-MHz Pentium II processor for optimal performance.

As for 1394-compliant peripherals, vendors have so far focused on those that can really use the bandwidth--meaning storage devices and high-resolution scanners, among a few others. Vendors including La Cie and VST Technologies are selling 1394-compliant external hard drives. You'll also find CD-Rewritable drives, and other external storage options are in the works.

The ports are more common on consumer electronics devices, including digital video cameras, digital still cameras, VCRs, televisions, and stereos. Digital video cameras from Canon, Sony, and JVC were among the first products to implement the standard; files they create are too big to send along parallel or USB connections. Digital still cameras with 1394 are available from Kodak and Sony, but only professionals will want to buy them: Prices start at about $5000.

For additional information, visit the sites of the 1394 Trade Association, the 1394 Showcase, and Zayante.

Michael Gowan is a staff editor for PC World.