I'm stealing this explanation Tom. Good job!
--
Alan Morris
Windows Printing Team
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"Tom Ferguson" <> wrote in message
news:...
>I am not sure of the context in which you expect an answer. So, let me put
>it this way:
>
> The engineers who developed the Panasonic XK 2123 printer designed it for
> a particular set of hardware which was described by a well-formulated,
> well-described specification. It was designed to connect to a(n IBM-type)
> PC using a particular connector and using a protocol which is covered by
> the IEEE 1284 specification. It is often referred to as a Centronics port,
> particularly in older literature. From this follows the suggestion to
> install a card with a parallel port in your computer if it now does not
> have one. Also, from this follows the suggestion to set the BIOS in the
> computer to SPP. This is what the printer was engineered to use.
>
> If you use a USB to parallel converter, it might work without any problem
> if you are sure to select a device that is designed to provide output as
> for a device expecting IEEE 1284-specified communication. Not all of them
> do. It is not always east to determine which of the available devices meet
> this requirement. It is not always plainly stated in the product
> description. Sometimes you have to 'dig deeper' to get the specification
> documentation for the device.
>
> Since the option to install a parallel port card is almost always present
> for desktop units, it is the preferred option. Since it is rarely possible
> to install such a device on a laptop/notebook/netbook that lacks a
> parallel port, either a cardbus to parallel or USB to parallel provide the
> only options.
>
> Since we are on the topic: I would also suggest that you use a parallel
> printer cable of high quality that is IEEE A certified, not just IEEE
> compliant. The possible issues here are the provision of appropriate cable
> conductors/connections for full bi-directional support and signal quality
> including cross-talk rejection.
> --
>
> Tom
> MSMVP 1998-2007
>
>
>
> "aelover77" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>>
>> I guess my question is what's the difference in parallel to parallel to
>> USB parallel
>>
>>
>> --
>> aelover77
>