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FireWire
   
   
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Definition - Pictures - Symbol - Advantages - Common Peripherals - Practice

 

Definition

FireWire is the newest and fastest serial computer port (bus) know also as i.Link (Sony) or IEEE-1394 by it's technical name. It was developed by Apple and Texas Instruments mainly for use with video and audio demands in both Macs and PCs, but can be used for connecting many different peripherals. It reaches speeds of 400mbits/sec or even more in newer versions. FireWire is an Apple trademark but it has become the more commonly used name referring to IEEE-1394. It has 6 pins. The female or socket in the computer has a rectangular shape and the connector that goes on the peripheral is round. It has the capability of "hot plugging" which is the ability for plugging and unplugging a device without powering down. In many ways has come to replace SCSI as an external port. There are still only few motherboards that come with a FireWire port, being more common in Mac computers.

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Pictures

FireWire socket FireWire plug FireWire plug face
FireWire - Socket FireWire - Plug FireWire - Plug (face)

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Symbol

FireWire symbol
FireWire symbol

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Advantages

FireWire transmits data very fast (400mbits/sec or more). FireWire is also capable of "hot plugging", which allows users to plug and unplug peripherals without restarting their computers.

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Common Peripherals

Currently FireWire is almost entirely used to connect digital video cameras to computers, though it is possible that many more audio and video media will utilize FireWire in the near future.

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Practice

Answer the following questions. Try not to look at the information above.

1. Which peripheral most likely requires a FireWire port to communicate with the computer?
 
Printer
Digital Video Camera
Monitor
 
           
2. The FireWire plug looks very similar to the USB plug. How can you tell the difference between the two ports?
  The FireWire plug has a longer cord   USB doesn't work with cameras   USB has a flatter plug than FireWire
     
           

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Definition - Pictures - Symbol - Advantages - Common Peripherals - Practice

  
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
  Developers: | Rodrigo Del Valle || Eunjung Oh || Daniel Craig |