Getting Started; What Is Firewire - Western Digital FireWire Installation Manual

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Tip: If you need to connect your
high-speed digital
equipment directly to your
laptop computer, look for
Western Digital's FireWire
CardBus PC Card at your
favorite retailer or the
Western Digital online
store at:
store.westerndigital.com.

Getting Started

What is FireWire?

Defined by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
(IEEE), the 1394 High Performance Serial Bus (commonly known as
FireWire) is a standard for connecting devices to your personal
computer.
FireWire is one of the fastest peripheral standards ever developed.
With a capability of operating at up to 400 Mbps, it has 30 times
more bandwidth than USB, and communicates fast enough to transfer
digital video and audio in real time.
Additional Benefits:
IEEE 1394 and i.LINK
!
Hot plug capability that allows you to easily connect a new
!
peripheral without turning off the computer.
Automatic configuration, no device IDs or terminators.
!
Cables are easy to connect, and can be up to 15 feet long.
!
Allows connection of up to 63 devices.
!
FireWire products currently available include the latest hard drives,
CD-RW drives, Digital Video (DV) camcorders, scanners, and
printers. Western Digital's FireWire PCI Adapter and our FireWire
CardBus PC Card enable you to connect devices like these directly to
your computer or laptop.
™
compatible.
GETTING STARTED - 1