Firewire: A type of cabling technology for transferring data to and from digital devices at high speed. Some professional digital cameras and memory card readers connect to the computer over fire wire. Fire wire card readers are typically faster than those that connect via USB. Also known as IEEE 1394, fire wire was invented by Apple Computer but is now commonly used with Windows-based PCs as well.

 

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FireWire: Originally developed by Apple, this is an increasingly popular and very fast external bus for transferring data between devices; also known as IEEE 1394 for the name of the standard it engendered.

IEEE 1394 (Firewire): A digital interface developed by the IEEE 1394 working group. Transports data at 100, 200, or 400 Mbps. Can be used to connect digital television devices together. IEEE 1394 data transfer ca . . . View Full Definition

Universal Serial Bus (USB): A 12Mbit/sec interface over a four wire connection. Can support up to 127 daisy chained devices. Very common interface for peripherals like keyboards, mice, and printers.