FireWire Lives!
There has been much conjecture recently that Apple will be phasing out FireWire. It was even said the new iBooks would not have a FireWire port. We’ll have to wait and see on that one.
But I stumbled across something rather interesting on Apple’s iMovie web page, something as if to provide a counter to those suggesting FireWire’s demise. Among the links to iMovie 6 Features, is this maybe not so subtle one: FireWire Importing.
When you follow that link, you find it saying for step 1:
1. Connect your DV, DV Widescreen, or HDV video camcorder to your Mac using a FireWire cable.
Apple assume you are using a FireWire camera. No mention of using a USB connection on your DV cam.
FireWire importing has been with us since day one in iMovie, has it not? Yet Apple have given prominence to FireWire, by including it in that feature list for iMovie 6 - just in case you had doubts that FireWire might no longer be supported.
If that’s not a testament to the continued support of FireWire, I don’t know what is.
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That is a good sign. I want an ‘intel ibook’ as a second computer and without firewire I am just not interested at all.
This is a case of hysteria being compounded by a lack of reading the comments to your articles.
The hysteria began when Apple stopped including a firewire port on the iPod. Immediately writers here began a Chicken Little routine, claiming that FireWire was doomed, and that it would only be a matter of time before the port was missing from every Apple product.
Of course, a number of the comments that followed pointed out that FireWire is absolutely necessary for video editing as a result of the timing protocols that FireWire has, and that USB (1 and 2) do not have. No timing protocols, no FireWire. Moreover, no Digital Camcorder manufacturer that I know of uses any other port but FireWire.
Interestingly, instead of adhering to the logic of these comments, the hysteria then grew to include the idea that Apple was dropping support for iLife for the low-cost computers. Pretty amazing as to who one entirely speculative fear can generate an irrational panic.
In any event, these comments were ignored, and the hysteria continued… right up to the latest Macworld, when the introduction of the new iMac, somewhat allayed the fears of the most alarmist individuals who write/read this board.
FireWire gto dropped from the iPod for sound, simple, reasons.
-1: the vast majority of iPod purchases are made by PC owners, the vast majority of whom do not have a FireWire port. No sense incurring an expense to the iPod when 95% of your potential customers won’t use it.
-2: Form factor concerns made it impossible to include a second port.
-3: Cost concerns in an increasingly competitive market segment (Apple’s dominance not withstanding) mean that any feature that is not popular with the vast majority of the purchasing public will be dropped in an effort to keep prices steady while adding other features (like a video play back feature) or dropping the price, or both.
Now, go take a chill pill.
From what I can tell, they’re just phasing out FW800, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Intel PowerMacs still have 1 FW800 port. It makes more sense on pro/workstation machines like the PowerMac and Xserve (does the Xserve even have a FW800 port?).
Really, what we all need is Fibre Channel on every Mac. ; P
Yes, XServe G5s have one FW800 port on the back and one lockable FW400 port on the front.
I’m also a bit shocked by Mr. Howard’s reaction to discovering that iMovie (and essentially all other DV applications) exclusively uses FireWire. That seems like the sort of thing that a computer journalist should know.
As stated above by two others, rumors of FireWire being removed from iBooks were almost immediately smacked down by the (frustratingly more level-headed) readership simply due to the unshakable reliance DV has on FireWire.
Calm the hell down already, Chris!
LMAO! rogueproof and nobodyspecial, you’ve *totally* missed the point. Is my writing that confusing??
Rogueproof said: This is a case of hysteria being compounded by a lack of reading the comments to your articles.
I was one of the staunchest opponents of the notion FW was going. Check the comments. Also, Chris Seibold on this site, in an article about the new Intel Macs said: “Finally, much credit must go to Chris Howard who steadfastly maintained there was no way Apple was going to drop FireWire”
Nobodyspecial said: I’m also a bit shocked by Mr. Howard’s reaction to discovering that iMovie (and essentially all other DV applications) exclusively uses FireWire. That seems like the sort of thing that a computer journalist should know.
Where did I say I thought iMovie exclusively uses FW? Why would I say that when iMovie provides some support for USB 2? From that iMovie page it also says:
My article, in simple terms, said that iMovie has provided FW connection since day one, yet here we are version 6 and they are trumpeting it as a significant feature. In light of the recent speculation that Apple were dropping FW, this appears to be rather conclusive evidence they are not. I’d even suggest it is a reaction by Apple to allay people’s concerns.
Many people in the comments to the article about FW being dropped, provided ample reasons why it wouldn’t happen. But that doesn’t constitute proof.
This article provides proof, IMO, that it isn’t going to happen.
Don’t worry, Chris. You’re preaching to the choir here.
We’ll show that other Chris. Who does he think he is, anyway?
LMW - lol