DapTechnology Fires Up World’s First 3.2 Gigabit IEEE 1394b FireWire SOC Solution
DapTechnology successfully demonstrated the world’s first high speed S3200 3.2 Gigabit IEEE 1394b FireWire system-on-a-chip (SOC) solution at VISION 2009 in Stuttgart, Germany.   continued

Artery Demo, First VersaPHY Work Group Meeting, Highlight Fourth Quarter Meeting in Taipei
The Trade Association’s fourth quarter meeting, held in Taipei, featured an innovative new consumer electronics demonstration from the Ulan Company, a Taiwan-based developer of IEEE 1394 peripherals. continued

1394 Trade Association Issues New Specifications on IPv4, 1394b Cables and Connectors, and HANA Content Protection
The 1394 Trade Association today issued a set of new specifications covering compliance for IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) over 1394, High definition Audio-Video networking protection, and cable and connectors up to 4.5 meters. continued

1394 TA Board Elections Coming Up: Nominations Now Underway
Nominations are now open for the new Board of Directors, which will be elected by the membership at the January TA meeting in San Diego.  continued

Updates from the Trade Association
Annual VISION Show in Stuttgart Features Latest 1394-Equipped Products and Technology from Global Leaders continued

Trade Association Publishes New Technical Paper on Security Camera Applications; Published in Advanced Imaging Magazine continued

As we look back on 2009 and forward to next year, it’s clear that 2009 was a better year than many expected or predicted for the Trade Association.

FireWire is now on at least 30 million PCs shipping globally each year, and continuing to grow as PC shipments start to expand again.  In 2009, we saw  a long list of new notebooks with 1394 introduced from leaders including Apple, HP, Lenovo, Acer, Dell and others, and 2010 will be even better.

We’re also seeing solid growth in the industrial, IIDC cameras, instrumentation and other market sectors, and making excellent progress in the automotive industry, where 1394 is rapidly approaching design wins.  

Some exciting new products and technology appeared, too. Microsoft’s October introduction of Windows 7 included complete support for 1394b, and promises to help ensure continued growth in the PC and storage markets. The reports of delays until 2011 in support for USB 3.0, also is good news for supporters of 1394.

During the Q4 meeting in Taipei, we saw the first demonstration of a powerful FireWire-based consumer electronics network called Artery, put together by Max Wang and his team at ULAN. And at VISION 2009 in Stuttgart in November, DapTechnology introduced the first system demonstration of true S3200 performance, a real milestone. Details on all these innovations are covered in this newsletter.

The past year saw the completion of a record number of new and updated specifications that assure 1394’s continuity and extensibility.  We released new specifications for networking applications, on IPv4, cables and connector compliance, and many others. Take a look at the 1394 TA website for a complete list.

We also have made great progress integrating the HANA specifications. The transfer of assets includes the copyrights to the Design Guideline for the High Definition Audio/Video Network; the HANA Content Protection Specification; and the HANA Content Services Book; along with all trademarks and copyrights. All are available at the 1394TA website now.

Overall, the 1394 Trade Association did very well in the difficult times of 2009. We feel strongly that progress made this year will achieve better results in 2010. I would like to wish a happy and safe holidays to all, and we hope to see everyone in San Diego for the first quarter general meeting starting January 20, 2010.

-- Max Bassler, Chairman