1394 Task Group Developing 1394 Over Coax

We learned at CEDIA this year that a new task group formed by the 1394 Trade Association is at work on a specification that will enable the IEEE 1394 standard to deliver audio and video over coaxial cable at a very high bandwidth.
>
The task group is chaired by Hans van der Ven, a former executive with Royal Philips (and later with Panasonic in the U.S.) who has served on the 1394 Trade Association board of directors and is active in Consumer Electronics Association working groups. The task group includes representatives from most of the leading HDTV developers and audio-video equipment manufacturers. By early 2006, the group will complete a simple 'native 1394 over coax specification' that will use the 1394 S400 physical layer device (PHY), along with an integrated interface, providing a single connection for coax instead of a balanced push-pull pair for CAT-5.
>
A native 1394 over coax specification will permit a bandwidth of 400 Megabits/second upgradeable to 800 Megabits/second, making it the least costly and highest speed alternative for audio-video delivery, according to James Snider, executive director of the 1394 Trade association. "Cable MSOs are looking for the optimal long-term solution, and we believe that "Native 1394 over Coax" is the most cost effective way to deliver multiple streams of HD Video with trick play over a single coax cable," said Snider.
>
The IEEE 1394 standard is now equipped to operate either wirelessly or over CAT-5 and CAT-6 cable. At this time, cable operators clearly prefer existing coax, since their installers are familiar with it, and it is already in place in many homes and public locations. The cable MSOs also are preparing for HDTV receivers, which are coming to market now, and can benefit from a 1394 over coax implementation.
>
For more information about the 1394 Trade Association please visit http://www.1394ta.org .