The FireWire data transfer format has lost a bit of its luster in the past few years. The development of USB 2, with its slightly faster maximum transfer speeds, left the FireWire protocol in its shadow as many device makers adopted the new USB format for their products. But the 1394 Trade Association announced last week that a new, so-called “FireWire S32,” specification will allow data transfers at much higher speeds.

The new system, which will continue to take advantage of existing FireWire cables and connections, is expected to be ready in February ‘08. The S32 version of FireWire promises faster performance, and the ability to run longer connecting cables — up to 100 meters or more.

The 1392 Association are also claiming that the new FireWire protocol will reach an astonishing 3.2 GB per second of data transfer, or approximately 4 times the speed of current FireWire or USB 2 formats.

Although video cameras and a few other devices commonly use FireWire interfaces to connect to a computer, many other computer peripherals have switched over to the USB 2 system, including the majority of external hard drives. But if the new and improved FireWire delivers anything close to its claimed 3.2 GB per second transfer speeds, it is likely we will see many computer peripheral manufacturers switching back to the FireWire format.

External computer hard drives, in particular, can respond slowly with standard USB 2 or FireWire connections; but the new faster FireWire protocol — which some analysts are already calling FireWire 2 — should prevent “lag time” in accessing information on external hard drives. In fact, with speeds up to 3.2 Gb per second, FireWire 2 could render external hard drives as fast or faster than standard internal computer hard drives. This is especially good news for laptop users, who often need large external drives for data storage.

The new format will also speed up transfer of video and audio data from digital cameras, digital camcorders, or other media devices. Interestingly enough, one group that has never stopped using FireWire connectors is digital image enthusiasts. High quality digital photographs and videos take up an enormous amount of hard drive space, so digital image and video buffs are in effect the “power users” of external USB or FireWire hard drive devices.

Now it seems that the digital image and video loyalist are finally being rewarded for sticking with the FireWire format, as the dramatic increase in data transfer speeds will benefit those users the most.

While many computer users may not notice a huge difference with the switch to the new faster FireWire 2 format, those who regularly use peripheral devices of nearly any kind are sure to appreciate the difference.

Related Web Directory Categories:

• Data Formats
• Computer Standards
• Internet Protocols

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