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New In-Stat Report Cites Progress of IEEE 1394 in Consumer Electronics Market and Advances for 1394b Designs in Desktop PCs (22/6/2005)

A newly issued update from In-Stat confirms steady advances for the IEEE 1394 audio-video standard, known commercially as FireWire and i.LINK, in the consumer electronics markets, and cites growing interest in the 1394b version among PC motherboard manufacturers worldwide.

The annual report, published in May by In-Stat, is entitled "1394 in 2005: 1394c and Wireless 1394 Join the Mix." It also includes updates on 1394's progress in the automotive and wireless markets, along with a section on the proposed 1394c specification. The proposed 1394c version is the latest advancement to the standard, designed to improve the user model for 1394 as a home networking technology.

The update reviews FireWire's continued popularity as an interface in consumer electronics systems. "CE has been a bright spot for 1394a, with increasing penetration of digital televisions, set sop boxes, and portable digital audio players," according to the report. "In addition, the digital camcorder market continues to be strong for 1394a. In the PC space in 2004, 1394a saw increased penetration of the notebook market, while remaining stable in the desktop space."

1394a, the original version of the audio-video standard, provides 400 Megabit/second bandwidth for consumer electronics and PC products. The 1394b version, which provides 800 Megabit/second bandwidth, is being designed into new generations of motherboards for desktop computers, In-Stat reports.

James Snider, executive director of the 1394 Trade Association, called the In-Stat report "accurate and encouraging." "Recent member surveys indicate that all the leading CE manufacturers are taking advantage of 1394 as they develop new generations of HDTVs, set top boxes, digital video recorders, and other innovative new products," he said. "We are very pleased to see continued expansion in the consumer electronics market, accompanied by strong growth for the 1394b version among motherboard developers in Taiwan, who are adding 'b' silicon at a significant pace."

Snider also concurred with the In-Stat report's finding that the faster 'b' version as yet has not been widely adopted by the consumer electronics manufacturers, who are using the original 1394a version now. However, he predicted many CE companies will begin to use the 'b' version in upcoming product development.

In-Stat also found the following:

-- 2004 saw the first release of 1394 in the automotive market;

-- The 1394c specification is close to completion;

-- Devices with Wireless 1394, a specification to transmit 1394 wirelessly over Ultra Wideband, should begin to hit the market in 2006.

The report includes worldwide forecasts by industry, and by many product categories, through 2009. It forecasts penetration of 1394a, 1394b and Wireless 1394 in each product category. It also includes analysis of silicon vendors and IP competitors in the 1394 space.

www.in-stat.com