Firewire is Apple's brand name for the IEEE 1394 interface. It was created in 1990 by Apple computers. It is a high speed interface which uses real time data services. Firewire has replaced Parallel SCSI in most uses, due to lower cost to use and a simplified, more adaptable cabling system. IEEE 1394 has been adopted as the typical interface for most A/V technology. Firewire is also available in wireless, fibre optic and coaxial versions.

Most modern digital camcorders have been using the Firewire connection since 1995. Many computers designed for A/V use have built-in Firewire ports including all Apple, Sony laptop computers and most Dell and HP models currently produced. It is also widely available on retail motherboards for do-it-yourself PCs, alongside USB. 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.

Firewire by far the fastest interface hardware available today. Unfortunatly it is far less widespread than USB as it was developed by apple and used only in apples until recently. Unlike USB Firewire uses a peer-to-peer interface which is intelegant and is able to negotiate conflicts. With USB 2.0 they use a Master-Slave architecture in which the computer handles all arbitration functions and dictates data flow to, from and between the attached peripherals, which inhibits the data transfer speed. This is why Firewire is faster than USB 2.0.

Firewire cables are widely availible at most places that sell computer technology. They are availible in all diffrent styles and ranging quality levels from basic to high quality.

Problems and fixes:

when a problem that you believe is caused by device interference is to reconfigure the arrangement in which your Firewire peripherals are connected.

~you can fix this problem by switching the device to a different port, or temporarily disconnecting one or more of the devices. Trying to switching devices from the front to back ports or vice versa can also helpl the solve the problem.

If it appears that Firewire devices are not drawing enough power from the computer. This can cause many strange issues, including apparent conflicts between devices and unexpected power-offs during device operation.

~In these instances, adding an externally powered Firewire hub can clear things up.

One of the reasons an "under-powered" situation can occur is that different Mac models have varying power capacities available through their Firewire ports.

~Restarting the computer may be enough to temporarily eliminate a few Firewire conflict issues.

If restarting your computer dose not work then shut down your Mac, and disconnect all Firewire devices as well as the computer's power cord. Leave the system off for about 10 minutes, then plug it back in. First turn your Mac back on, then re-attach the Firewire devices one at a time and check for the conflict to resurface

Firewire has a speed of 400mbps, recently a newversionof firewirehas been developed that is more powerful and has a speed of 800mbps. The firewire cable can only be 15ft. long before it loses power. there are in some cases where you can buy very expensive handmade cables that can reach up to 30ft. and work at a normal speed.

Read Test:

* 5000 files (300 MB total) Firewire was 33% faster than USB 2.0

* 160 files (650MB total) Firewire was 70% faster than USB 2.0

Write Test:

* 5000 files (300 MB total) Firewire was 16% faster than USB 2.0

* 160 files (650MB total) Firewire was 48% faster than USB 2.0

http://www.cwol.com/firewire/firewire-vs-usb.htm

Apple company developed firewire in the mid '80s in the hope to make standard on all computers.

Sony then got them to get for their electronic product like camcorders to be able to conect them to computers.