I have a bit of an interesting challenge 🙂
I have a machine with a parallel printer output, i want it to be able to print instead to a printer in a different room and i know that parallel isnt great over big distances.
i found this:
which will let me connect over cat5, but its usb to cat 5.
my machine can only output on parallel (its not a computer)
so what i was thinking of getting is a parallel(f) to usb and usb to parallel (M) for either side
i.e. machine -> parallel -> usb -> cat5 -> usb -> parallel ->printer
just seems a bit messy 🙂
suggestions?
another thing i would like to try is to get rid of the old school parallel printer and instead use a network based multi function. would this be possible?
i.e. machine -> parallel ->usb -> cat5 -> ethernet print server – > network printer
this might be rougher because the machine cannot "know" that we are using a network printer. it can ONLY print to LPT1
Thanks!
Best Answer
Parallel to usb adapters do exists. Here is a picture of one from Belkin:
I'm not sure if the combination of extender+adapter would work, but given the price of both, the total cost of the experimentation would be around 20USD.
This is much cheaper than an arduino + ethernet shield, without the programming/electronic hassle.
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