The demonstrations show the versatility of the FireWire standard and the high performance capabilities of the 1394b version, which provides bandwidth up to 800 Megabits/second over distances up to 100 meters.

The demonstrations will include a Windows-based PC running FireWire 800 (1394b) to a hard disk drive, along with a notebook PC equipped with 1394b PCI cards connected to hard drives. The HDDs are supplied by Maxtor and LaCie.

There also will be a 1394-equipped camcorder connected to the 1394b port on a notebook PC, and a 1394 video camera connected to PC monitor. In addition, the Trade Association booth will host UStec's 1394-equipped tecStream HDTV networking system, along with a new audio studio mixing system that transports digital audio and MIDI over 1394b into a PC. The audio system effectively turns the PC into a mobile recording system. During 2006, more than 50 new pro-audio products incorporating 1394 have been introduced worldwide, and more are expected later this year.

The association will join with Microsoft Corporation to announce Microsoft's plans to develop support for 1394b in the Vista operating system.

The 1394 Trade Association is a global organization dedicated to the advancement and proliferation of the IEEE 1394 standard in the consumer electronics, computer, peripherals, automotive, industrial, and other markets. For more information, please visit www.1394ta.org