• Firewire vs. "real" Ethernet.
  • Firewire was designed with multimedia in mind, with defined audio protocols.
  • Firewire can transport various types of data, audio, serial, midi, etc., on the same cable.
  • Firewire is streaming, no delay, collisions or packeting while Ethernet buffers packets of data, creating delays (to the point where one will hear drop outs.)
     
• Firewire vs. Cobranet.
  • Firewire (a.k.a. IEEE13994) has standards (non-proprietary) based and accepted audio protocols.
  • More widely used.
  • Firewire bus latency 0.35 ms compared to anywhere from 1.3 to 5.3ms (note: at lower latencies fewer channels are available with Cobranet).
  • Firewire allows for 96 channels of 24 bit audio @48k whereas Cobranet offers 64 channels, of 20 bit audio @ 48k (56 channels of 24bit @48k)
  • 32k, 44.1k,, 48k, 88.2k, 96k, 176.4k and 192k compared to only 48k and 96k.
     
• Firewire vs. proprietary based technology that use some Ethernet hardware.
  • Firewire is less expensive
  • EMI/RF worry free fiber optic cabling up 500 yards/meters is standard with I/One Connects.
  • Firewire does not require additional hardware like switches or software making simpler to install, configure.
  • Firewire is simple to use unlike some that have complex addressing and setup/configurations.
  • 32k, 44.1k,, 48k, 88.2k, 96k, 176.4k and 192k.
  • Audio, wordclock and control on a single cable.
  • Firewire (a.k.a. IEEE13994) has standards (non-proprietary) based and accepted audio protocols.
   
• Firewire vs. analog snakes/wiring
  • Optical - eliminates RF, EMI, ground loop problems.
  • Routable - any input can be routed to any (1 or more) analog or digital output(s).
  • Re-Routable - easily make any routing change from a convenient location.
  • Lightweight, easier to install, transport.
  • Digital.

• Open standard with a defined and accepted audio protocol.
• High bandwidth (lots of channels) even at 192k.
• Guaranteed delivery (no dropouts or buffering.)
• Bus latency of 0.35ms (regardless of the number of devices.)
• Up 500 meters/yards using GOF (glass optical fiber.)
• Single cable for bidirectional audio, control and wordclock.
• Hot plug-in of nodes and modules. The network instantly identifies and re-configures.
• Easy to use - no need for switches, device IDs or complex set-ups.
• Parameters can be adjusted, monitored centrally.
• No computer required to operate (only for configuration - routing.)
• Low cost.
• Built into Windows' operating system.

The IEC 61883 International Standard of Digital Interface for Consumer Electronic Audio/Video Equipment defines it all.  It defines packet formats (CIP) connection management procedure (CMP) and (FCP), functional control protocol. IEC 61883-6, a extension of the standard that more specifically deals with the audio and music data transmission protocol, such as audio formats, sampling clock transmission and more.

Designed by a team whose experience and skills were gained designing some of the most innovative products in Pro Audio, the DICE II, from TC Applied Technologies, is the chip for professional Firewire audio devices.  It, the DICEII, is a high performance chip that can transmit 32 channels of audio on the Firewire bus, and receive 64 channels.  Clock performance is near perfect due to its patented digital JET PLLs which virtually removes all audio jitter giving you the best possible audio sounding system.  JET PLL offers the lowest audio-band jitter available – some key numbers are 20ps RMS audio band jitter and jitter reduction of more than 60dB (1ns becomes 1ps).  Speed and Low Latency – all time-critical functions are executed in hardware, not firmware!  Typical 1394 firmware implementations on other chips add 2ms or more of latency compared with 225us for the DICEII.