Firewire cables are a specific type of device that link computer peripherals as well as other electronic devices. Firewire extensions create high speed connections through a direct digital link.

Firewire cables education and training will involve learning about all aspects of quality firewire cables. This will include the manufacturing process, product support and specifications for the different firewire adapters currently on the market.

1. Look for information on how high-quality firewire cables work. Specifically, compare the difference to USB transfer cables.

2. Work with a supplier of firewire cables. Manufacturers and suppliers can give you direct technical information on firewire extensions.

3. Join an association that focuses on firewire cables. These types of groups will likely provide free training and support to members.

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Read online articles about firewire cables

You can find many sources that can give you an overview of the different types of firewire cables as well as the specifications. If you are in the industry, you can review this information in order to help better understand the uses and problems associated with the devices.

I recommend: HowStuffWorks has an informative article series that focuses on different aspects of firewire extenders and cables. You can also find links to other resources regarding firewire adapters. CNET has a tech database with a large amount of educational articles regarding firewire extender and cable news.

Get information from sellers of firewire cables

Source information will usually be the most accurate for training purposes. Since Apple produces the name brand, you can find a lot of specific information regarding firewire cables and their peripherals. Apple's suppliers of firewire cables can also help with the product.

I recommend: The Developer Connection of the Apple website is a great source for those looking to train on firewire cables. Not only will you get the basics about function, but also the ability to look through support documents and technical specifications. FireWire Depot also has an informative section that includes diagrams, length requirements, troubleshooting and more.

Join an association to learn about firewire extensions and cables

By joining an association, you can connect with tech specialists and suppliers of firewire cables. You can also access their training materials and resources in order to successfully retail or repair firewire cable. You can also attend online courses for training purposes.

I recommend: The 1394 Trade Association is a group that you’re going to want to join if you are a part of this industry. Their technical advice section is particularly helpful and will delve into all aspects of firewire and other 1394 cables. Averna has a 1394/Firewire course that will give the tools needed to design, develop and integrate the cables.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A firewire extender may be referred in training materials as a different name. Firewire cables are also known as IEEE 1394 and have the same features as i.Link and Lynx cables.

FireWire cable is super-fast, super-flexible cable that runs on the FireWire standard (also known as IEEE 1394) and is most often used on Macintosh computers. Although FireWire and FireWire cables lack the market share of their rival USB, they have become the standard for streaming digital video and other high bandwidth applications

When buying FireWire cables, consider the following:

1. The relationship between FireWire and Apple.
2. FireWire cable connectors and FireWire adapters.
3. FireWire PCI cards for adding a FireWire port to a PC.
4. FireWire cables and digital video media.
5. FireWire cables in industrial applications.

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FireWire cables and Apple

Apple championed the development of the FireWire (or IEEE 1394) standard for much the same reasons the USB standard was developed: to simplify cables, increase data transfer speeds and allow for hotswapping devices. FireWire had the added advantages of greater speed plus peer-to-peer connectivity (you can connect a scanner to a printer without a computer) but it was significantly more expensive to implement than USB. Today Macintosh computers and some PCs have FireWire ports as well as USB ports.

I recommend: If you want to add a FireWire port to your PC computer, BuyExtras.com has a wide selection of FireWire PCI cards. Apple supplies AV FireWire cable for color iPods to provide composite video and audio output for viewing photo slideshows with music on a TV. If you have an older iPod that does not have a click wheel, you have to connect with either FireWire cable or, if you don’t have a FireWire port, the iPod dock connector to FireWire cables and USB 2.0 cables available at the Apple Store. Cable Wholesale offers a lifetime warranty on its FireWire cables. QVS offers translucent LED FireWire cables with several different color lights to indicate that the FireWire port is working and to help locate cables in the dark.

FireWire cable connectors and FireWire adapters

The original FireWire 400 standard had a 6-pin connector. A less powerful 4-pin version was made for laptop use (although Apple's laptops use the 6-pin version). In 2003, Apple introduced the much faster FireWire 800 with 9-pins connectors. While the 800 standard is backward compatible with the 400 standard, the connectors are different and require FireWire adapters to work together.

I recommend: M2cables offers 9-pin to 6-pin FireWire cables in three lengths to connect legacy devices with the new 800 FireWire ports. TigerDirect.com sources from many cable manufacturers to offer a wide range of FireWire cables and FireWire adapters. CablesonDemand.com offers 6-pin to 4-pin FireWire adapters. PriceGrabber.com offers a retractable FireWire cable.

FireWire cables in industrial applications

Some manufacturers specialize in FireWire cables that exceed the IEEE standard for use in industrial applications.

I recommend: Northwire makes industrial-grade FireWire cables as well as custom FireWire cables for specific applications.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Use FireWire adapters to connect your FireWire 400 devices with computers or peripherals that use the new, faster FireWire 800 standard.
• •  Keep FireWire cables, FireWire adapters and USB hubs on hand for complete device connectivity.
• •  Use FireWire repeaters and extenders to increase the distance between devices.
• •  Use FireWire ports and FireWire cables to transfer camcorder data to the computer.
• •  Use a FireWire hub to add more FireWire ports to your computer.
• •  FireWire devices and peripherals can be connected together directly without a host computer (peer-to-peer computing).

Firewire cables transfer information between digital devices, especially audio and video equipment. These cables are also known as I. Link or IEEE 1394. Firewire cables offer data transfer for video, audio and storage applications through a universal input/output interface.

While interacting with the suppliers of firewire cables, you will need to understand various technical terms that indicate type, specifications and technologies for different firewire cables. This guide intends to explain some firewire key terms, such as Mbps, bus, daisy chains, connectors and P2P network.

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Mbps (megabits per second)

Megabits per second is a measurement used to determine the amount of data being transmitted per second on a network or modem.

I recommend: You can read through the basics of mbps at wiseGEEK, an informative resource.

Bus

In the computer hardware industry, a bus is an electrical pathway through which a computer processor communicates with its components and/or peripherals. It may take the form of copper tracks laid down on the computer's printed circuit boards (PCBs) or an external cable or connection.

I recommend: You can read through detailed information on a bus at Kioskea.net, a knowledgeable resource for computer users.

Daisy chains

A daisy chain is a bus-wiring scheme in which various computer devices are connected in sequence. All of the devices in a daisy chain do not need to be powered to utilize the last device in the chain.

I recommend: Hewlett-Packard Company offers information about creating daisy chains.

Isochronous transmission

Isochronous transmission refers to processes where data must be delivered within certain time constraints. For multimedia applications, this kind of data transfer reduces the need for buffering and helps to ensure a continuous presentation for the viewer.

I recommend: To learn more about isochronous transmission, you can read through information at TechFest.com.

P2P (Peer-to-Peer) network

Peer-to-peer network is a type of network architecture in which each workstation has equivalent capabilities and responsibilities. Files can be shared directly between systems on the network without the need of a central server.

I recommend: i-SAFE Inc. (PDF), an internet security company, provides an informative document on peer-to-peer networking.

Connectors

A connector is a device that connects wires or fibers in a cable to equipment or other wires or fibers. Wire and optical connectors join transmission media to equipment or cross-connects.

I recommend: Cables To Go, a manufacturer of computer cables, provides information on firewire connectors.