quick question about parallel printer cables

[spanky]

would having a longer parallel cable degrade print quality? the cable in question is a 20 footer. i am inclined to say no, but just want a second opinion. thanx!

 

[Peter]

The cable is for print DATA transmission, digital. If the cable is too long, that won't effect quality in the way a long analog cable (e.g. audio/video) would degrade quality - data would be transmitted erratically and the printouts would be completely messed up altogether.

Five to six meters is not a problem with quality cables though. Usually. YMMV.

 

[Zero Plasma]

bump

 

[Zepper]

Usually 15ft. is the suggested limit on parallel cables. I have run longer ones on occasion but there's no guarantee. There used to be parallel line boosters for long cable runs. Places like Dalco.com and computergate.com used to carry them - browse around on Dalco, you may come up with something I haven't seen before. I haven't seen a parallel booster in a long time.
. Another possibility is an add-on parallel port card. There used to be some that bragged that their line drivers could handle 100ft of cable...
. There are also parallel to serial and vice-versa that allow for extended distances using serial cables, or a wireless (RF) setup. Yet another idea is parallel to USB conversion...
. Try one of these ideas if the cable doesn't cut it.
.bh.

:moon: