Consumer Electronics A Bright Spot For 1394

Instat: The consumer electronics (CE) market is a bright spot for 1394, a high-speed serial bus specification, also called Firewire or i.Link, that is battling with competing technologies in several markets. 1394a has increasing penetration in digital television, set top box, and portable digital audio player markets, the high-tech market research firm says. The CE segment is forecast to be roughly equal to the PC segment in 2005 unit shipments, and will move well past it in 2006. The prospects for the technology in the computer market will be mixed. PCs will be driven by the notebook category. 1394 will also grow in consumer desktops, but remain nearly non-existent in commercial desktops. Overall, PC peripheral growth will be negative, as high-speed USB dominates the segment.

• 2004 saw the first release of 1394 in the automotive market.

• The 1394c specification is close to completion. It is an attempt to jump-start 1394 as a networking technology, where it has had trouble gaining acceptance.

• Devices with Wireless 1394, a specification to transmit 1394 wirelessly over Ultra Wideband, should begin to hit the market in 2006.

1394 in 2005: 1394c and Wireless 1394 Join the Mix Publ 20050606 1394?