FireWire 1600 and 3200 approved by IEEE
By Nilay Patel 
posted July 31st 2008 2:32AM
posted July 31st 2008 2:32AM
While FireWire 800 gear is still pretty rare and we've only seen one piece of FireWire 1600 kit, the IEEE is still pushing the standard forward -- it's just approved the 1394-2008 spec, which includes both FireWire 1600 and 3200. Interestingly, the spec is fully backwards compatible with both 400 and 800 ports, but it remains to be seen which connector gets used more prevalently. We'll find out in October, when the spec is made available to manufacturers -- looks like that controversial 2010 launch of USB 3.0 just got upstaged a little, huh?[Via CrunchGear]
There's an eerie disconnect from reality that takes place when a USB vs Firewire discussion takes place.
Let's tackle these one at a time:
1. Like it or not, almost ALL consumer devices use USB2. Yes, there are some Firewire devices - mainly in the video market - but even consumer digital camcorders are dropping Firewire. Why? Because editing directly from the camera only made sense when harddrives were small and expensive. Today, it's more practical to bulk copy your digital media to a hard drive on the computer and edit there where latency isn't an issue.
2. USB2 is already fast enough for *most* uses. Yes, you personally may have a use that precludes USB2 - but you're not typical. In your case, yes, Firewire may make more sense - but you're not driving the market, so sorry, your example is irrelevent. USB2 can theoretically support 480Mbps which is 60 MBps.Even at 1/2 that speed, most consumer systems can't actually run a hard drive faster than that... and most people don't actually NEED to move data faster than that.
3. Sure - lots of systems have Firewire - my Shuttles have it - my current laptop does too (my last one didn't though). But you know - I've NEVER plugged anything into it. Why? Well, when I'm buying peripherals, I buy what works on the maximum number of systems so my devices won't be obsoleted or can't be shared - and while a lot of computers have Firewire - a lot don't. They ALL have USB2.
4. Theoretically better isn't the same as actually better. The things Firewire are 'better' at are things that most people don't seem to actually care about or even need. Again, if you're about to say 'Well, *I* need it' well whoopty do. I didn't say ALL, I said MOST. You may (and probably are) the exception.
5. Even APPLE has been removing it from their devices. iPods and the much overhyped iPhone no longer even charge from Firewire. Why? Well, why support two different connection modes when only some people can use one and everyone can use the other? It's not cost effective.
So sorry, like it or not, yes, USB2 has swamped Firewire. Firewire is the niche product. If you don't believe me, here's a very simple test: remove ALL USB devices from your computer and see how far you get. Then reconnect them and remove the Firewire ones. I'll be you get more done with the USB devices than with the Firewire ones...
"...and the much overhyped iPhone..."
the "much overhyped"? how exactly does that support your thesis? short answer: it doesn't. it actually sort of detracts.
"here's a very simple test: remove ALL USB devices from your computer and see how far you get. Then reconnect them and remove the Firewire ones. I'll be you get more done with the USB devices than with the Firewire ones..."
alright, i've unplugged my old junker scanner flatbed, and my old Nikon film scanner. My iPhone also isn't charging anymore. ....i'm getting by just fine.
Without Firewire, both of my external drives are gone. they're a little more important than the scanners.
what's your point?
I'll give you that there are more USB devices out there than there are Firewire devices; but how does that matter? are you suggesting that we drop Firewire because "USB is winning"? - or will you concede that Firewire is a MUCH better technology for certain scenarios, and that new standards to make the technology better is a good thing?
Jeff vs. Jeff.
Ready?
FIGHT!
You sir are correct. Firewire is a niche product. It is also one that I will happily pay for as long as it's around and I have a computer that can support it. You can be happy with your insanely slow USB2. I'll be happy with my speedy Firewire 800. You're cheap and have no value to your time. I think paying 10% extra for something that will return more than 10% of my time is a huge benefit. I value my time. Do I want to wait at all do transfer 8 GB of data from my Compact Flash card to my computer? Heck no, the faster the better because waiting for that to happen means time I can't be making money on. Sure it's only an extra few minutes here and there, but after a month it's a Steak dinner, after a year it's another lens or even an extra camera body.
For a company with a ton of employees this savings could mean they could keep their jobs instead of being laid off. Really, it does ad up.
I thought this was something simple, but I can see how some can get confused by it.
this is VERY good news for the HD video editor shops out there. FW800 hardly handles full resolution uncompressed HD.
Firerwire is far superior than USB. I always buy Firewire first if possible. Leave USB for mundane things like keyboards and mice. If speed and reliability are paramount, get Firewire.
Jesus. There are more bottlenecks limiting transfer speeds than "the theoretical speeds" of either FW or USB. Several people have already pointed out it's completely unnecessary to have to pick one over the other. USB works great for keyboards, mice, tablets, printers and yes, scanners. If I can save a little money that's great. Powered hubs are cheap. Until bus powered eSata becomes available ... FW rocks for external HD's. There will always be a place for FW with video. A world with choices is a hell of a lot better that one without. I think it's great that FW continues to improve and move forward. Those who wish to pay will benefit.
FireWire forever.
USB blows for mass data transfer.
eSATA for the Win! Can't beat the same performance as an internal SATA-II connector (well it's the same, just different plug (one that holds the cable a bit better)). :)
However for other devices then external HDD, this new firewire seams very interesting.