USB 3.0 is the next version of USB, promising 10x faster transfer rates then USB 2.0, but it does so by piggy-backing (adding to) a completely different sets of hardware to the existing USB, so in effect it is 2 different systems labeled under the same name.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usb#USB_3.0
http://www.usb.org/developers/ssusb
The first mass produced devices are anticipated in sometime in 2010, and until enough hosts (PC's) are on the market and enough peripherals are made we really will not know how good the Frankenstein USB3 is.
USB3 will have a difficult time to enter the market becuase at this time their are many choices of ports that perform the job quite well, for less.
*External storage USB3 vs eSATA: eSATA clear winner becuase it is far cheaper and more common long before USB3 is on the market. Sure it is point-to-point, but how hard is it to add another connector on the back of a computer? Oh, and typical low end single HDD's do not come close to taxing the ports limit (FW 800 is almost able to keep up with low RPM HDD as is). Upcoming eSATA III potentially will offer 6.0Gbps, beating USB3 easily.
*Pro Digital Audio and Video USB3 vs FireWire: FW is clear winner simply becuase it is an industry accepted and preferred. FireWire was built with video data transfer in mind, and is arguably perfect for this mission. Even if USB3 is better (and it is not when you compare FW and USB3 specs), studios will be reluctant to spend huge $$$ to replace a perfectly good, reliable, and well known connection.
*Consumer Digital Video USB3 vs USB2: USB2 is the leader becuase in the consumer level camcorders every dollar counts, and second becuase of the hundreds of millions of USB2 computers already out there. Yes, USB3 will have a difficult battle with its older sibling for a few years.
*Networking USB3 vs Giganet (or 10 Giganet (10Gbase-X)): Not even a contest. Giganet is even poised to replace USB2 and FW as the port of choice for high bandwidth uses. USB3 may be forced to have a 10 foot max cable length.
*HDTV's USB3 vs HDMI: Lawyers will never allow USB3 as a way to transfer content, even with DRM. Expect the Motion Picture and Music Industry to fight this (they could lose, eventually).
*Industrial cameras: There are 3 protocols, CameraLink, Giganet, and FireWire (USB2 is not even considered). CameraLink is invincible to USB3. Giganet is safe. FW is also safe for a low cost high quality camera bus, but is losing out of Giganet in zone monitoring installations.
USB3 will find niche uses and may eventually be a common port, but it will be years away. I guess scanners and flash card will be the first to see wide spread adoption. Likely with USB drives and MP3 players, but it will be niche for a long time.
I predict soonest Apple will add USB3 to a Mac is 2012, more like 2013
iPods may not have USB3 for a long time, depending on the size of the chip, possibly power usage. USB3 provides only 0.9amp of power, and that is less then ideal for Video iPod (read about current USB2 V iPod users with dying batteries cannot us it on USB2, must connect the FireWire cable for charging)
IOW, it is premature to think USB3 will be the port of choice next year. It will be a long time before we know what will transpire.
This is the new cables and connectors for USB 3.
New "B" end
![103141.jpg]()
"A" connector stack
![usb_3_3.jpg]()
![usb_3_4.jpg]()
Cramming a lot of wire in a tiny space.
"Mini-B" for camcorders (this one is really questionable on its value, better a new, smaller design?)
![usb_3.0.jpg]()
Backward compatibility for the B connectors by tacking on extension to the housing, much like adding on an extension to your house.
241 views and no comments?
Mac users prefer FireWire (still a much better protocol) and don't give $0.01 about USB 3?
Or was I pretty much on mark on predictions? (I cant be 100% right).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usb#USB_3.0
http://www.usb.org/developers/ssusb
The first mass produced devices are anticipated in sometime in 2010, and until enough hosts (PC's) are on the market and enough peripherals are made we really will not know how good the Frankenstein USB3 is.
USB3 will have a difficult time to enter the market becuase at this time their are many choices of ports that perform the job quite well, for less.
*External storage USB3 vs eSATA: eSATA clear winner becuase it is far cheaper and more common long before USB3 is on the market. Sure it is point-to-point, but how hard is it to add another connector on the back of a computer? Oh, and typical low end single HDD's do not come close to taxing the ports limit (FW 800 is almost able to keep up with low RPM HDD as is). Upcoming eSATA III potentially will offer 6.0Gbps, beating USB3 easily.
*Pro Digital Audio and Video USB3 vs FireWire: FW is clear winner simply becuase it is an industry accepted and preferred. FireWire was built with video data transfer in mind, and is arguably perfect for this mission. Even if USB3 is better (and it is not when you compare FW and USB3 specs), studios will be reluctant to spend huge $$$ to replace a perfectly good, reliable, and well known connection.
*Consumer Digital Video USB3 vs USB2: USB2 is the leader becuase in the consumer level camcorders every dollar counts, and second becuase of the hundreds of millions of USB2 computers already out there. Yes, USB3 will have a difficult battle with its older sibling for a few years.
*Networking USB3 vs Giganet (or 10 Giganet (10Gbase-X)): Not even a contest. Giganet is even poised to replace USB2 and FW as the port of choice for high bandwidth uses. USB3 may be forced to have a 10 foot max cable length.
*HDTV's USB3 vs HDMI: Lawyers will never allow USB3 as a way to transfer content, even with DRM. Expect the Motion Picture and Music Industry to fight this (they could lose, eventually).
*Industrial cameras: There are 3 protocols, CameraLink, Giganet, and FireWire (USB2 is not even considered). CameraLink is invincible to USB3. Giganet is safe. FW is also safe for a low cost high quality camera bus, but is losing out of Giganet in zone monitoring installations.
USB3 will find niche uses and may eventually be a common port, but it will be years away. I guess scanners and flash card will be the first to see wide spread adoption. Likely with USB drives and MP3 players, but it will be niche for a long time.
I predict soonest Apple will add USB3 to a Mac is 2012, more like 2013
iPods may not have USB3 for a long time, depending on the size of the chip, possibly power usage. USB3 provides only 0.9amp of power, and that is less then ideal for Video iPod (read about current USB2 V iPod users with dying batteries cannot us it on USB2, must connect the FireWire cable for charging)
IOW, it is premature to think USB3 will be the port of choice next year. It will be a long time before we know what will transpire.
This is the new cables and connectors for USB 3.
New "B" end
"A" connector stack
Cramming a lot of wire in a tiny space.
"Mini-B" for camcorders (this one is really questionable on its value, better a new, smaller design?)
Backward compatibility for the B connectors by tacking on extension to the housing, much like adding on an extension to your house.
241 views and no comments?
Mac users prefer FireWire (still a much better protocol) and don't give $0.01 about USB 3?
Or was I pretty much on mark on predictions? (I cant be 100% right).
