1394 may claim to be more proven or established than USB but
both are emerging' specifications that are trying to out-do each other! Philips strongly supports BOTH.
1394 was chosen by Philips as the bus to link set-top boxes, DVD, and digital TVs.
1394 has an'a version taking it to 400 Mb/sec and more recently a"b version for higher speed and to allow longer cable runs, perhaps 100 meter hops! 1394 sends information over a PAIR of twisted pairs. One for data, the other is the clocking strobe.
The clock is simply recovered by an Ex-Cor of the data and strobe line signals.
No PLL is needed. There is provision for lots of remote device powering via the cable if the 6-pin plug connection version is used. The power wires are