FireWire Products
Newnex provides a complete range of FireWire connectivity solutions, including durable and high-performance FireWire cables and advanced FireWire repeaters. With over 20 years of manufacturing experience, our FireWire cables—available in FireWire 400 and FireWire 800—deliver high-speed, low-latency data transfer for aerospace, military, machine vision, and medical imaging applications.
To overcome the standard 4.5-meter limitation, our FireNEX™ repeaters extend IEEE 1394b signals up to 500 meters over optical fiber or 60 meters over coaxial cable, offering long-distance solutions without compromising performance. Whether you need reliable FireWire cables or extension solutions, Newnex ensures full IEEE 1394a and 1394b compatibility for your critical systems.
What is FireWire?
FireWire, also known as IEEE 1394, is a legacy high-speed interface originally developed for real-time data transmission in applications like external hard drives, audio interfaces, and DV camcorders. Popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s, it enabled peer-to-peer communication, low latency, and sustained transfer rates—up to 400 Mbps (1394a) and 800 Mbps (1394b). While mostly phased out in consumer tech, FireWire remains essential in defense, aerospace, and aviation systems, where reliability and deterministic performance are critical.
Key Features
01
Industrial-Grade Build
Engineered for durability and reliability
02
Custom OEM Solutions
Configurable 6-pin and 9-pin connectors, lengths, and materials. Click here to customize
03
Wide Compatibility
Supports FireWire 800 and 400 standards
04
Versatile Connector Options
Available in straight, right-angle, screw-locking, and high-flex options
05
Extended Signal Reach
FireNEX™ repeaters boost FireWire connections up to 60m over COAX or 500m over fiber
FireWire Cables
FireWire Repeaters
FAQ
While both FireWire and USB are used for data transfer, FireWire typically offers more consistent performance in real-time applications like video streaming and industrial imaging. FireWire allows for peer-to-peer communication, meaning devices can talk to each other without a host, while USB requires a host controller. FireWire also supports sustained data transfer rates better than older USB versions.
FireWire 400 (IEEE 1394a) supports speeds up to 400 Mbps, while FireWire 800 (IEEE 1394b) doubles that to 800 Mbps. They use different connectors, so compatible FireWire cables or adapters are needed when connecting devices across the two standards.
Direct conversion between FireWire and USB isn’t possible due to their different communication protocols. While some adapters exist, they usually only work with specific devices and software support. For reliable connectivity, it’s recommended to use native FireWire ports and compatible cables.
The standard FireWire cable length is limited to 4.5 meters. For longer distances, Newnex offers FireWire repeaters that extend the signal up to 60 meters over COAX or 500 meters over fiber optic cables.