USB 2.0 to Parallel

[hammhead]

I am going to purchase a new computer in a few months VPR Matrix 3.06 Ghz. FT9100pe.

Right now I a using a old 1988 HP LaserJet II Printer which has a parallel connection. The new computer only has USB 2.0 connections. Would it be possible to use a USB to Parallel adapter cable to connect this to the new computer. I don't want to mess up my new expensive computer.

Also am getting a new "USB 2.0" Canon multipass F60 multifunction printer, copier and scanner. I can connection this directly to the computer with a straight USB 2.0 cable since there is no parallel connection involved.

Can you tell me if it is possible to connect both of these printers to the new computer like this without any other equipment without doing any damage?

Appreciate any help you can give me with this.

Seafarer

[morriswindgate]

That computer has a Parallel port so you have no problem. WIth an older laserjet I would connect it parallel, for that matter I would rather have the printer on the parallel port.

Anyway here is the link for that computer's specs. it is listed under connectivity

http://www.vprmatrix.com/products_desktop_FT9100.asp

[RJ]

FYI, your new PC also has a DVD-RW drive. I would reconsider that one, as they can only burn to DVD minus format and with a slow speed. DVDminus burners are definitely not recommendable. Go with a DVDplus burner or a multiformat burner like the Sony.

Just to let you know, coz as long as you didn't buy the PC you can always change :)

RJ

[hammhead]

That's news to me RJ. I didn't know there was more than one type of DVD burner format. Will start looking at other computers now. Maybe the VPR Matrix 2.53 Ghz. without a DVD burner then buy a good DVD burner later.
Going to a little slower computer will cut the cost for me too.
Thanks again. :)

[audiyoda]

Originally posted by RJ
DVDminus burners are definitely not recommendable.

Just a side note of sorts, but I'm getting seriously offended by a statement like that.

As I've stated in various threads, the "minus" format is the only truly DVD forum (the guys that created the DVD format) compliant format on the market (at least here in North America). The "plus" format is Philips way of crying because their DVD technology wasn't accepted by Hollywood so many years ago (5 to be exact). So Philips released a similar yet different format -- thus the former "dash" format (as in DVD -dash- R, DVD -dash- RW, DVD -dash- RAM) is now known as DVD -minus-.

I personally have never cared what format someone uses or buys -- but buyer beware!! The "plus" format drives certainly will allow you to become the next Steven Spielberg -- but your friends may never know because the "plus" format DVD movie you created might not play on their consumer DVD player.

So as I've stated countless times around here in terms of DVD burners -- buy what you need for what you intend to do. And do your research -- carefully.

-Craig

[RJ]

You're getting offended ? For what ? Because I don't recommend the DVD-R/-RW format or what ?
Well if that's a reason for you to get offended then I would think about it again. If you don't like it that I have my reasons for recommending the plusformat, well, that should not be my problem.

You have your opinion, and I have mine. And as you know, I don't care if the DVD Forum accepted it or not, as it's not up to the DVD Forum whether the minus or plus format will become the standard, it is up to the users, and there are far more plusburner brands than minus. Three minus brands, and over 10 plus brands. NEC already switched away from minus-only, Sanyo, Samsung and LiteOn will follow.

And DVDplus, especially DVD+R, is *very*, and I stress *very* compatible.

"plus" format drives certainly will allow you to become the next Steven Spielberg -- but your friends may never know because the "plus" format DVD movie you created might not play on their consumer DVD player.

The same applies to DVDminus as well. Don't think that a DVD-R can be played in all or even far more DVD players than a DVD+R, that's just not true. The compatibility itself is similar, and I have also seen reviews, also compatibility tests by Pioneer, that showed DVD+R a higher compatibility than DVD-R. But I've also seen the reverse. The DVD-R never had 100% or even 99, so it is no guarantee that a DVD-R will play in a standalone.
Not a single DVD player of any of my friends did not accept a DVD+R. There was only one player and one DVD-ROM that did not accept a DVD+RW, and that's it.

Anyway, as you see, hammhead didn't even know about this, so good he knows now so that he can inform himself and decide what to get. And that'd certainly be a plus or a multiformat burner. Since the DVD-R "100%" compatibility isn't, what advantages does the DVD-R/-RW have ? Accepted by the DVD Forum ? Well, actually it doesn't have any advantage, that's why I'm for DVD+R/+RW. And many others as well.

RJ

[audiyoda]

I guess what I take offense to or maybe a better term would be expetion to is your overall statement: "DVDminus burners are definitely not recommendable". As if there is something patently wrong with the "minus" format -- where there is not.

As I've said before, I don't care what format someone buys, but the buyer must do their research. The question must be asked, what do you want to do with a DVD burner? I've got no argument that the "plus" format is better in terms of using the drive for general storage -- you can write smaller packets with the "plus" format.

But when if comes to creating DVD movies, that's were conventional wisdom says the "minus" format is the better choice. Why is it when I, as a video professional, send out a project to be burned to DVD (not pressed) for evaluation the production houses all use the "minus" format? They don't even offer the "plus" format as an option. Why is it that Apple choose the "minus" format for the Mac Superdrive? Macs are still the dominent workstation for audio and video professionals -- and Apple wanted to make sure their users would be compatable with standalone players. And as I've pointed out in the past, the "plus" format is backed by the computer peripheral manufacturers (except Sony who tries to please everyone) and the "minus" format is backed by the same companies that make some of the best standalone players on the market.

So I don't stand on one pedistal saying one is better than another -- my concern is who is going to use it and for what. So to say on a general way that one format is "definitely not recommendable" is really not fair.

-Craig

[Floppyman]

Any ideas when, if ever, they'll come to a concensus on the formats, i.e. DVD-R or DVD+R? Wouldn't it make sense for the average consumer to wait until this "format war" plays out? If it never does, I suppose then yes careful research will need to be done as to which format to go with.

[audiyoda]

I don't know if there will be a concensus. You've got two different points-of-view. One from the computer side, one from the DVD authoring (content creator) side. They both have legitimate claims about what they can and can't accomplish. DVD+ has always been a better packet handler. And DVD- has always complied to the DVD-Forum specs better.

That's why I always say consider your choice wisely. I just got a call from my parents Pastor at their church (right after I made the post -- he called at 12:45pm). For Christmas he had old films of his Mother put on DVD. For all the transfers and such, it cost him a good deal -- but to make copies he figured he would get his ownDVD burner (as he put it, "it was as good an excuse as his wife would accept"). Well he bought a DVD+ format burner (HP200 I believe). He tried and tried to make copies but couldn't -- he didn't know that the company that did the transfer did it in a DVD-Video compliant format -- meaning DVD- shoot, he didn't even know there were two differnet formats.

So he called me today and asked me what he should do -- the first question out of my mouth was "what do you want to use the DVD burner for"? He wants to make movies and maybe watch a few (he kept his CD-RW and also has a CD-Rom). So after some talking, he decided to return the + burner and got a Pioneer. He called again at around 4:20pm -- already had made his first copy and was on his way to making 5 more.

-Craig

[Tuf]

I have decided to wait a little longer to buy a DVD burner as well. If I were buying today I think I would buy one of the ones that support both formats. But as I understand it they have some limitations that the others don't have. I haven't looked seriously at this point but I do find the idea of having the added disc capacity awfully tempting.

[RJ]

I see. Well ok, you're right, my expression was not really appropriate, I'll keep that in mind for the next time.
I believe Apple chose DVD-R because it was already on the market whereas DVD+R was not at that time, and now they don't want to change.

RJ

[Floppyman]

On something RJ mentioned, what do you think is the reason that there are more "+" DVD burners than "-" out there? Does give indication that industry is leaning towards the the "+" side? I agree with Tuf that I like the added storage space a DVD burner provides. Before I buy one however, I'd like to first see how the two formats continue evolve. When the time comes that I want to buy one and both formats are still dominating the market equally, I guess I'm going to have to weigh my options, and ask myself the, "What do I want to do?" question. I'm hoping though that eventually one format will trump the other, or they will maybe combine in some way, either way leading to one format instead of two.

[Nelreem]

I remember back when DVD+RW's were still a theory(unless you have $700), and I looked one up, to check compatibility, and to see if I might want one. Now, on this spec sheet (about a year ago, maybe more...), It said that DVD+RW would be compatible with +R, -R, -RW, and -RAM. I guess that this isnt true anymore, but uh.. had anybody else heard of this? Did i just stumble upon someone's general idea that had no basis in reality?

[Tuf]

No I think there have been a lot of claims like that in the past. Like a lot of new technologies that are the best thing since sliced bread hit the market, at least until someone puts them in a real world environment.

[Fastfly]

there is no reason not to use a pritner for Parrellel unless you have an LCD that needs it.