Fact Sheet

June 1996


Background:

The 1394 Trade Association was founded in 1994 to support the development of computer and consumer electronics systems that can be easily connected with each other via a single serial multimedia link. The IEEE 1394 multimedia connection enables simple, low-cost, high-bandwidth isochronous (real-time) data interfacing between computers, peripherals, and consumer electronics products such as camcorders, VCRs, printers, PCs, TVs and digital cameras. With IEEE 1394-compatible products and systems, users can transfer video or still images from a camera or camcorder to a printer, PC, or television, with no image degradation. The 1394 Trade Association includes over 80 companies.

History:

The 1394 serial link was founded in 1986 by technologists at Apple Computer, who christened it "FireWire". The first specification was completed in 1987. Initial 1394- compatible demonstrations appeared at Comdex in 1993; the Trade Association was founded in 1994. In 1995, the IEEE formally adopted the 1394 specification. New 1394-compatible products are cameras and camcorders from Sony Corp., adapters and developer toolkits from Adaptec, Texas Instrument ICs that link the 1394 bus to PCI, and connectors from Molex. A full slate of new consumer and computer products will be introduced at this year's Comdex, Nov. 17-21 in Las Vegas.

Applications:

Applications that benefit from the 1394 include video editing and presentation, desktop publishing, document imaging, games, and home multimedia, eliminating lost video frames and distorted audio. The high-speed, non-proprietary interconnect for all digital devices provides a truly universal and isochronous (real-time) connection for any computer, consumer or peripheral application.

Members:

The 1394 Trade Association is made of up leaders in electronics, computers, and consumer products. These leaders included: Apple Computer, Adaptec, Advanced Micro Devices, Analog Devices, C&M Corp., Canon Information Systems, Cirrus Logic, Compaq Computer, Creative Labs, Cypress Semiconductor, Digital Equipment Corporation, Divicom, Fuji, Fujitsu Personal Systems, General Instrument Corp., Hewlett Packard, Hitachi America, IBM Microelectronics, Innovative Concepts, Intel Corporation, Lexmark International, LG Electronics, Matsushita Electric, Maxtor, Microsoft, Molex, NEC Systems, National Instruments, National Semiconductor, NEC Systems Laboratory, QLogic, Philips Semiconductor, Ricoh Company, Samsung Information Systems, Seagate, Sony Electronics, Stewart Connector, Sun, Symbios, Texas Instruments, SGS-Thomson, Toshiba America, Truevision, Victor Co. of Japan, and Yamaha Corp.

Officers:

James Snider, Texas Instruments (Chairman)
Ken Mano, Sony (Vice Chair)
Eric Anderson, Apple (Secretary)
Eric Troup, AMD (Editor, Financial)
Max Bassler, Molex (Communications Officer)
Charles Andres, Sun (Marketing Officer)
David Wooten, Compaq (Technology Officer)