LAS VEGAS (Jan. 8, 2001) -- Leaders of the 1394 Trade Association told Consumer Electronics Show attendees to expect continued strong adoption of the 1394/FireWire/i/Link multimedia standard this year as the new, faster, 1394b version is adopted and more consumer, computer and peripherals manufacturers add the specification into new product designs.

1394 TA Chair James Snider and Vice Chair Max Bassler led a CES discussion forum at the largest CES ever, predicting extension of the standard across all industry sectors and pledging to continue a comprehensive program of interoperability and compatibility efforts worldwide. "1394 is now at the inflection point," said Snider of Texas Instruments, Inc. "We are now estimating, conservatively, that there will be more than 25 million 1394-equipped PCs shipped in the year 2001. We also expect to hear more about 1394's leading role in home networking, in automotive electronics and telematics, and of the advancement of the standard to 800 megabits per second speeds."

Bassler described the inaugural demonstrations of audio and video over the 1394 bus in a new Lincoln Navigator, which was outfitted for display at the 1394 Trade Association's booth at CES. "1394 provides an ideal multimedia backbone for a complete set of video and audio systems in the vehicle," said Bassler. "We believe that telematic applications are going to be one of the most exciting and fastest-growing applications for the standard."

Snider also announced the formation of the Wireless Working Group inside the 1394 Trade Association. Initial members include Intel, Microsoft, Sony, Matsushita, NEC, Texas Instruments and Philips. Other members will be announced soon. Scott Smyers of Sony Corporation and the 1394 Trade Association board emphasized that the new group will explore ways to take advantage of existing wireless protocols and standards alongside 1394 and does not intend to establish a specification that competes with other wireless alternatives.

Another leader in the 1394 development effort, Michael Teener of Zayante, Inc., told the CES Group that in 2001, "Digital video and television will come to the fore," with most of the DTVs now incorporating the 1394 standard. Teener added that the audio effort "is also beginning now, and doing well. There will be some very interesting 1394-based audio announcements in 2001, with systems moving to production in the next year," he said. Teener, who has been a leader in the development of the 1394b specification, noted its enhanced speeds -- to 800 Megabits per second and on to 1.6 Gigabits/second -- along with the added distances, simpler construction, and other benefits of the "b" version.

For more information about products, technology and development of IEEE 1394 -- including an update on 1394b -- please visit the 1394 Trade Association web site at 1394ta.org. For added information please also call Dick Davies, 415/777-4161.

The 1394 Trade Association includes more than 170 members worldwide dedicated to the advancement and proliferation of the 1394 standard, also known as FireWire and i.LINK. The 1394 Trade Association headquarters is located at 2350 Mission College Blvd., Suite 350, Santa Clara, Calif. 95054, tel: 408/748-9416.