FireWire to Reach 3.2 Gigabit/s Speeds

MacRumors · Dec 17, 2007, 09:34 AM

The 1394 Trade Association announced a new S3200 specification that will deliver speeds up to 3.2 gigabits per second over FireWire. This represents a four-fold improvement over the existing FireWire 800 specification found in current Macs.

The new specification builds on the existing 1394b standard by using the same cables and connectors that are already deployed in existing FireWire 800 products. S3200 is expected to be ratified by early February.

Quote:

"The S3200 standard will sustain the position of IEEE 1394 as the absolute performance leader in multi-purpose I/O ports for consumer applications in computer and CE devices," said James Snider, executive director, 1394 Trade Association. "There is a very clear migration path from 800 Megabits/second to 3.2 Gigabits/second, with no need for modifications to the standard and no requirement for new cables or connectors."

The increased bandwidth would permit S3200 to transmit uncompressed high definition signals over long distances at a lower cost than HDMI.

Article Link

macinfojunkie · Dec 17, 2007, 09:36 AM

Nice to see FW catching up with SATA. Great that it sounds like it is backwards compatible with existing FW800 devices. Nice one!

Eidorian · Dec 17, 2007, 09:36 AM

Now to wait for a Mac with faster FireWire.

arn · Dec 17, 2007, 09:38 AM

ya, so while the connectors and cables are the same, you're going to need new Macs hardware to drive the FW3200 (?) devices.

arn

Eidorian · Dec 17, 2007, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arn

ya, so while the connectors and cables are the same, you're going to need new Macs hardware to drive the FW3200 (?) devices.

arn

Yeah, sounds like USB 2.0.

twoodcc · Dec 17, 2007, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eidorian

Yeah, sounds like USB 2.0.

yeah it does a little, except a whole lot faster

diamond.g · Dec 17, 2007, 09:43 AM

This would have been a much bigger deal two or three years ago (the HDMI vs Firewire part), now it just seems like a little too late.

All that is needed is to get Intel on board with using this new FW speed in their mainboards. It would get adopted a whole lot faster that way.

Abstract · Dec 17, 2007, 09:47 AM

If the cables are the same, and the data being sent isn't compressed in any way, then how did they get it to be 4x better? Did they just improve the controller or something?

CaptainHaddock · Dec 17, 2007, 09:54 AM

I really hope Apple puts this in all their new Macs and pushes the technology in a big way. FireWire is vastly superior to USB for data-intense devices, and it's time Apple started pushing superior technologies again like they used to.

Squonk · Dec 17, 2007, 09:56 AM

I'd like to see this on all new mac's in 2008 and iPods as they get newer models. This would make it quite snappy to load up a 160GB Classic!

I know, this technology is really aimed at the high end professional video needs....

macinfojunkie · Dec 17, 2007, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainHaddock

I really hope Apple puts this in all their new Macs and pushes the technology in a big way. FireWire is vastly superior to USB for data-intense devices, and it's time Apple started pushing superior technologies again like they used to.

More to the point. How long before we see the QUINT from Lacie?

Lovesong · Dec 17, 2007, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abstract

If the cables are the same, and the data being sent isn't compressed in any way, then how did they get it to be 4x better? Did they just improve the controller or something?

Well, yeah- if you think about it, the speed of something (be it data, electricity, or whatever) going through a cable is determined by cable size and the frequency of the signal (this is an oversimplification). You up the frequency, and you have more stuff coming down the pipes.

cworsley4 · Dec 17, 2007, 10:00 AM

Will this be a firmware update since it used the same ports and connectors that we currently have.

irishgrizzly · Dec 17, 2007, 10:01 AM

Could this be in the next Mac Pro? or would it need more time for development/testing?

---edit---

Sorry, didn't fully understand the news – so old machines could transmit at faster speeds with OS patch?

twoodcc · Dec 17, 2007, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irishgrizzly

Could this be in the next Mac Pro? or would it need more time for development/testing?

well that would be nice, but i doubt it

xUKHCx · Dec 17, 2007, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irishgrizzly

Could this be in the next Mac Pro? or would it need more time for development/testing?

Seeing as this has been ratified which is a long process I am sure all major companies who actually want to use it will have had their hands on it for a long time for testing procedures.

Still unclear, to me anyway, if it needs a new computer to support it or if it will come via a software update.

cohibadad · Dec 17, 2007, 10:04 AM

FW800/3200 ipod connection would be nice

thecritix · Dec 17, 2007, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arn

ya, so while the connectors and cables are the same, you're going to need new Macs hardware to drive the FW3200 (?) devices.

arn

well.. what would you rather? they totally changed the connections, at least by running it this way you can upgrade and have the speed or not upgrade and still have the peripherals.

SPUY767 · Dec 17, 2007, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twoodcc

yeah it does a little, except a whole lot faster

yeah, I've always found USB's theoritical limits to be exactly that, purely theoretical. I've been about to get over 80MB/sec out of a firewire 800 drive whose theoretical maximum would be 100MB/sec. USB 2.0 whose limit is allegedly 50MB/sec I can barely squeeze 20 MB/sec out of.

eji · Dec 17, 2007, 10:06 AM

Glad to see FW keeping pace with USB to some extent.

Doesn't look like FW3200 will match USB3's 4.8Gbps, but then, I've always found USB's speeds to be great in theory but lackluster in practice. For large transfers (100GB+), I've found USB2's speeds to be pretty underwhelming in comparison to "old" FW400.

I'm also still plodding along just fine with FW400 (no Intel Mac yet), so any positive FW news is just a novelty for me. By the time FW3200 appears, I'll probably only just have bought my first FW800-capable machine.

raggedjimmi · Dec 17, 2007, 10:06 AM

A total pipedream but I'd love this on a 160gb iPod. My 80gb takes an age to fill up over a USB2 connection.

Come back Firewire. Come back to the 'pods.

daddywags214 · Dec 17, 2007, 10:06 AM

This is great. HDMI is great for home theater stuff now, but FW3200 would be a vastly superior connection format because it is not limited to TVs and receivers, etc. It could serve as a connection for the new breed of uncompressed HD cameras (RED ONE, anyone?), ultrafast external (and mobile) RAIDs, and a bunch of other stuff. All while still being compatible with our little normal externals and cameras. Thumbs up.

Bill Gates · Dec 17, 2007, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cohibadad

FW800/3200 ipod connection would be nice

But what about all the Windows users with nary a Firewire port? For that reason I doubt Apple will ever use Firewire with an iPod again.

markfc · Dec 17, 2007, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cohibadad

FW800/3200 ipod connection would be nice

Would it be any faster though? I thought the bottle neck was getting the data on to the disk as it's only 4200rpm.

JFreak · Dec 17, 2007, 10:09 AM

Sounds great! I guess they made some right decisions in FW800 development, now they can just raise the clock speed and get more juice with same cables.

Dec 17, 2007, 09:36 AM	#3
Eidorian macrumors G3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Indiana	Now to wait for a Mac with faster FireWire. __________________ MRoogle it! hikari T7500 2.2 GHz / 4 GB / 320 GB / GMA X3100 / 10.5.8 chobimaru Core i5 750 2.66 GHz / 4 GB / 640 GB / 4830 / Windows 7

Dec 17, 2007, 09:43 AM	#7
diamond.g macrumors 68040 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Virginia	This would have been a much bigger deal two or three years ago (the HDMI vs Firewire part), now it just seems like a little too late. All that is needed is to get Intel on board with using this new FW speed in their mainboards. It would get adopted a whole lot faster that way. __________________ The whole earth should be like Hawaii (weather wise)

Dec 17, 2007, 09:47 AM	#8
Abstract macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: It's classified.	If the cables are the same, and the data being sent isn't compressed in any way, then how did they get it to be 4x better? Did they just improve the controller or something? __________________ "Oh, I've always wanted to touch Stanley," signs teacher Fran Zakoor, embracing the kids… ESPN Article, 04/09/2008

Dec 17, 2007, 09:54 AM	#9
CaptainHaddock macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Nagoya, Japan	I really hope Apple puts this in all their new Macs and pushes the technology in a big way. FireWire is vastly superior to USB for data-intense devices, and it's time Apple started pushing superior technologies again like they used to. __________________ Japanese for Life View my Flickr photos!

Dec 17, 2007, 09:56 AM	#10
Squonk macrumors 65816 Join Date: Mar 2005	I'd like to see this on all new mac's in 2008 and iPods as they get newer models. This would make it quite snappy to load up a 160GB Classic! I know, this technology is really aimed at the high end professional video needs.... __________________ iSwitched in 1988 MP quad 2.8 (4GB/1.5TB/ATI 2600), iPhone, iPods

Dec 17, 2007, 09:36 AM	#2
macinfojunkie macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2005	Nice to see FW catching up with SATA. Great that it sounds like it is backwards compatible with existing FW800 devices. Nice one!

Dec 17, 2007, 09:38 AM	#4
arn macrumors god Join Date: Apr 2001	ya, so while the connectors and cables are the same, you're going to need new Macs hardware to drive the FW3200 (?) devices. arn

Dec 17, 2007, 10:00 AM	#13
cworsley4 macrumors member Join Date: Sep 2007	FireWire Standerd Will this be a firmware update since it used the same ports and connectors that we currently have.

Dec 17, 2007, 10:01 AM	#14
irishgrizzly macrumors 65816 Join Date: May 2006	Could this be in the next Mac Pro? or would it need more time for development/testing? ---edit--- Sorry, didn't fully understand the news – so old machines could transmit at faster speeds with OS patch?

Dec 17, 2007, 10:04 AM	#17
cohibadad macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2007	FW800/3200 ipod connection would be nice

Dec 17, 2007, 10:06 AM	#20
eji macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Germany	Glad to see FW keeping pace with USB to some extent. Doesn't look like FW3200 will match USB3's 4.8Gbps, but then, I've always found USB's speeds to be great in theory but lackluster in practice. For large transfers (100GB+), I've found USB2's speeds to be pretty underwhelming in comparison to "old" FW400. I'm also still plodding along just fine with FW400 (no Intel Mac yet), so any positive FW news is just a novelty for me. By the time FW3200 appears, I'll probably only just have bought my first FW800-capable machine. __________________ Diderot's Diary \| iMac 24" 2.8GHz (4GB, 10.5.x) • MBP 15" 2.5GHz (4GB, 10.5.x) • iPod Touch (2G, 32GB) • Canon MP600R • DrayTek Vigor 2910VG

Dec 17, 2007, 10:06 AM	#21
raggedjimmi macrumors 604 Join Date: Jan 2005	A total pipedream but I'd love this on a 160gb iPod. My 80gb takes an age to fill up over a USB2 connection. Come back Firewire. Come back to the 'pods. __________________ www.bossbaddie.com

Dec 17, 2007, 10:06 AM	#22
daddywags214 macrumors member Join Date: Sep 2006	This is great. HDMI is great for home theater stuff now, but FW3200 would be a vastly superior connection format because it is not limited to TVs and receivers, etc. It could serve as a connection for the new breed of uncompressed HD cameras (RED ONE, anyone?), ultrafast external (and mobile) RAIDs, and a bunch of other stuff. All while still being compatible with our little normal externals and cameras. Thumbs up. __________________ Mac Pro/MacBook Air/iPhone 3G S

Dec 17, 2007, 10:09 AM	#25
JFreak macrumors 68040 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tampere, Finland	Sounds great! I guess they made some right decisions in FW800 development, now they can just raise the clock speed and get more juice with same cables. __________________ what we do in life, echoes in eternity.

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