FireWire

FireWire is Apple Inc.'s brand name for the IEEE 1394 interface (although the 1394 standard also defines a backplane interface). It is also known as i.Link (Sony's name). It is a personal computer (and digital audio/digital video) serial bus interface standard, offering high-speed communications and isochronous real-time data services. IEEE 1394 has been adopted as the High Definition Audio-Video Network Alliance (HANA) standard connection interface for A/V (audio/visual) component communication and control.

Almost all modern digital camcorders have included this connection since 1995. Many computers intended for home or professional audio/video use have built-in FireWire ports including all Apple, Sony laptop computers and most Dell and HP models currently produced. FireWire was used with initial models of Apple's iPod, but later models eliminated FireWire support in favor of USB due to space constraints and for wider compatibility.

4-pin IEEE 1394a-2000 FireWire connectors are typically found on camcorders and other digital A/V equipment.

6-pin IEEE 1394a FireWire 400 connectors are typically found on PCs (Apple especially) and disk systems.

9-pin IEEE 1394b FireWire 800 connectors (typically found on Apple computers) allow interconnection to older 1394a systems in 'bilingual mode' (4- or 6-pin using an appropriate adapter-cable).