USB Alternative
FireWire
FireWire is the common name for IEEE 1394, a legacy serial bus used for audio, video, storage, and other peripherals.
Related: Thunderbolt · eSATA · PCIe
Characteristics
| Standard family | IEEE 1394 |
|---|---|
| Common names | FireWire 400 and FireWire 800 |
| Data | Yes |
| Isochronous transfer | Yes |
| Typical devices | Camcorders, audio interfaces, external drives, and older professional peripherals |
| Typical connectors | Several connector forms were used, including common 4-pin, 6-pin, and FireWire 800 designs |
| Current status | Legacy; IEEE 1394-2008 is inactive-reserved and modern platform support is limited |
