What Is a FireWire Cord?

A 6-pin FireWire cable.

FireWire, also called IEEE 1394 and i.Link, is a type of high-speed serial bus connection that allows electronic devices to communicate with one another. Its cords come in a variety of lengths and connector types, the need for which depends on the device into which they are being connected.

Function

FireWire cords, or cables, are most commonly used with electronic devices like video cameras, which need to transfer high-quality video and audio data quickly. According to the 1394 Trade Association, devices that use FireWire cords can access some data at up to four times the speed of USB 2.0.

Types of Connectors

A 4-pin FireWire cable.

FireWire cords end in three different possible connectors: 4-pin, 6-pin and 9-pin. 4-pin and 6-pin cables are commonly used with FireWire 400 (IEEE 1394a) devices, which transfer data at speeds up to 400 MB per second. 9-pin cables are used with FireWire 800 (IEEE 1394b) devices, which transfer data at speeds up to 800 MB per second.

Significance

Unlike USB, with the use of repeaters a FireWire connection can be extended up to 100 meters in length without a loss of speed. FireWire cables can also be "hot plugged," which means they can be plugged and unplugged without powering off your external device. FireWire cables also do not need any special drivers to work with your computer.

References

• 1394 Trade Association: Consumer's FAQs
• Zytrax: USB & FireWire