For Linux 6.19 as what will be the first stable kernel release of 2026, the IEEE-1394 Firewire stack continues dealing with device quirks and improving support for different Firewire-connected devices. In 2026 is also when the Linux Firewire maintainer plans to begin recommending users migrate away from the IEEE-1394 bus followed by closing the Linux Firewire efforts in 2029.
Ugh, I’m going to have to prioritise ripping my old miniDV cassettes, aren’t I?
You could just keep an air-gapped PC with an old kernel around just for that.
Sure, but that sounds insane compared to just blocking out the time in the next four years.
Same same. I procrastinated for only a few years (decades), time to do it !
I never had a device that needed firewire (luckily?). I always found it a strange standard and connector.
Luckily today we just have usb c, specifically usb 3.2 gen 2. Which is the default for some time now. Another benefit is it will often also come with power delivery as well, something that firewire doesn’t support at all.
And for audio I always use optical audio cables. Also known as S/PDIF.
There is one song that mentions firewire and it is sad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pftKtoSGEsg
And very good.
