Sony Picture Book And Firewire (In)compatibilities?

Commander Mike asks: "Sony's Web site has a big disclaimer [see footnote #3] about not relying on the Firewire ^[?] port on the Picture Book being compatible with anything. I'm thinking about buying a Picture Book and would like to see if anyone has had any luck in hooking up a DVD or CDR/RW to it using Firewire. I'd rather not have to resort to using USB if possible. Also, is there a docking station out there for the new one yet?" Just about every article I've read on FireWire also talks about Sony i.Link being compatible, so why is Sony now backpedaling on the compatibility issue? Is this another attempt at "Embrace and Extend" or does Sony have a valid reason for this behavior?

Way2Go SonyBony

[DogChasingCars]

Leave it to our favorite snob-brand of cool gadgetry to adopt a standard, promulgate it, and then pull the STANDARDIZATION right out of it...a standard from APPLE, no less!

Embrace, extend, extinguish...this is M$ building hardware.

Sony's i.link, FireWire, and IEEE1394, plus Linux

[Tumbleweed]

Okay, here's the deal - Sonys iLink, Apple's FireWire, and IEEE1394 are all the same. There's two different connection types - 4pin and 6pin, and the difference between them is one is powered and one isn't. Upcoming IEEE1394b will have a 9pin connector, I think. Anyway.

As for FireWire compatability with Linux - Linux supports OHCI style FireWire chips, some chips are OHCI compatible, some ain't. Sony uses some chips that are, and some that aren't. Check the FireWire chip on the particular version of PictureBook you're interested in.

From the Linux1394 page at SourceForge [sourceforge.net]:

"Please note as well that not all Sony VAIO systems use the proprietary chip. Some contain the CXD3222, which is reported to be OHCI compliant."

Also note, there are multiple generations of the Sony VAIO PictureBook. (the latest uses a Transmeta Crusoe processor instead of the previous Intel Celeron)

I've heard of success with Linux and the PictureBook, but I don't know what generation of PictureBook that was. Hopefully the latest uses the CXD3222 OHCI-compliant chip, as the PictureBook is _definitely_ the beast for me, if I ever have enough money. Those things are pricey!