So - my ears were very much pricked up this morning given the implementation of lightpeak that’s hit the macbook pro’s.
Seems that intel are being both forward thinking AND acknowledging current interconnect standards…
First implementation lightpeak = thunderbolt = COPPER, not light. = 2 x bidrectional (10Gbps?) interconnects, with
Second implementation looks like light, up to 100Gbps.
Up to 6 daisy chained devices.
Using standard PCIe communication protocol
Adopted Display Port connection. I CAN’T work out if the DP implemtation = a part of the thunderbolt protocol, or sits alongside it. It should allow it to go down the same pipe, but I suspect in the MBP’s that it just uses a different set of connectors in the same plug. I have no details to support this theory, other than the way standard DP cables work already.
Thunderbolt to FW and USB = very possible, probably with a simple cable. Hubs with multiple ports = a given in the next 6 months or so.
OWC will have raid drives using this interconnect by april.
And first AUDIO interface to support thunderbolt goes to? Well, given we saw a bodged together implementation back in september of an avid PT interface actually working (the PCIe comm protocol now sheds light on HOW bodged together it could have been) - but I suspect avid will be one of the first. Metric Halo perhaps? Or RME?
Bodes well for those who currently use FW, given it will continue to run over thunderbolt… especially given rumours MBP’s from 2012 may only carry thunderbolt ports. (I for one look forward to that!)
Anyway - this is exciting, and interesting, and may well be an important interconnect for professional audio going forward. Must talk to mates down at the sydney opera house about what they’ve chosen for the new drama hall audio install - I believe that they are NOT going to continue with their current Dante install.
Cheers, Brendan.