LaCie FIREWIRE 800/400 Computer Hardware User Manual


 
LaCie Biggest Quadra
User Manual
page 12
About the LaCie Biggest Quadra
FireWire 400, also known as IEEE 1394, is a high-
speed serial input/output technology for connecting
peripheral devices to a computer or to each other, and
FireWire 800 is the implementation of the new IEEE
1394b standard.
FireWire 800 offers increased bandwidth and ex-
tended distance between devices. FireWire 800 is ideal
for bandwidth-intensive applications, such as audio, vid-
eo and graphics. Please see section 8. FireWire Ques-
tions & Answers for more information on FireWire.
2.5.1. FireWire 400 and 800 Cables and Connectors
FireWire 800 Benefits
Resourceful architecture: FireWire 800 reduces
delays in arbitration and signal distortion, and
increases throughput.
Backwards compatibility: adapter cables al-
low FireWire 400 devices to operate under the
FireWire 800 port (at FireWire 400 speed).
FireWire 400 & FireWire 800 Benefits
Hot-pluggable: devices can be added and re-
moved while the bus is active.
Isochronous data delivery: no dropped frames
– FireWire supports real-time data delivery.
Flexible: up to 63 devices can be connected on a
single bus.
FireWire Icons
eses icons will help you easily identify the FireWire
interface. ey appear on FireWire cables, and next to
the FireWire port connectors on certain computers.
FireWire Cables
ere are two categories of FireWire cables on the
market: FireWire 800 cables, which feature the 9-to-9-
pin, 9-to-6-pin, and 9-to-4-pin cables; and the original
FireWire cables which feature the 6-to-6-pin and 6-to-
4-pin cables.
FireWire 800 9-to-9 Pin Cable and Cable End
FireWire 800 9-to-6 Pin Cable and Cable End
iLink/DV Cable and Cable End (Sold Separately)
FireWire icon iLink icon DV icon
2.5. Cables and Connectors