USB 2 printer and a USB 1 computer

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ton den Hartog
  • Start date Start date
T

Ton den Hartog

Hi,

I have a computer with USB 1 and want to buy a printer with a USB 2
interface. I also have a couple of other USB 1 devices. Does this cause
problems ?

Ton
 
Hi,

I have a computer with USB 1 and want to buy a printer with a USB 2
interface. I also have a couple of other USB 1 devices. Does this cause
problems ?
Click to expand...
Most USB 2 devices are backword campatable to USB 1.1 and maybe 1. I
would try and if doesn't work you can purchase a USB 2 PCI card cheap
$10-$20 Most computer stores do carry them. Note there are PCMCA USB
2 card also but they are not cheap at about $80.

Gordon
 
[This followup was posted to comp.periphs.printers and a copy was sent to
the cited author.]

I have a computer with USB 1 and want to buy a printer with a USB 2
interface. I also have a couple of other USB 1 devices. Does this cause
problems ?
Click to expand...

Generally, any USB2 device should be backwards compatible with USB1 (now
called USB FullSpeed.) In fact, I find it doubtful if any common
home/small-office printer could have any advantage from USB2 (USB
HighSpeed).
 
I'm not sure that is true. If you have a USB2 connection you will be able
to transfer data at around 420kps around 4 times faster than USB1. I have
my Canon i560 hooked up with a parallel cable and it takes about 2.5 mins
from start to finish to print out a 4x6. The claim is 50 sec with USB2. So
that works out about right.
Wolf-==-
 
wolfb said:
I'm not sure that is true. If you have a USB2 connection you will be able
to transfer data at around 420kps around 4 times faster than USB1. I have
my Canon i560 hooked up with a parallel cable and it takes about 2.5 mins
from start to finish to print out a 4x6. The claim is 50 sec with USB2. So
that works out about right.
Click to expand...

Sheesh...if it's taking 2.5 minutes, then you're not using the default
settings. Most likely you're using the High print quality settings, or
you're computer is VERY busy processing something else in the background
while printing the photos.

My Canon i850 is on a parallel port and it prints a 4x6 photo is less
than 60 seconds, and a full 8.5x11 page in less than 2 minutes. A friend
has a Canon i550 on a USB v1.1 port and it prints just as fast.

Quite correct...inkjet printers are slower than the connection ports.
 
Bill said:
Sheesh...if it's taking 2.5 minutes, then you're not using the default
settings. Most likely you're using the High print quality settings, or
you're computer is VERY busy processing something else in the background
while printing the photos.
Click to expand...

Maybe the parallel port is not used in ECP mode, but in compatible mode?
I suggest to check the BIOS settings.

Regards,
Gerhard
 
I'm not sure that is true. If you have a USB2 connection you will be able
to transfer data at around 420kps around 4 times faster than USB1. I have
my Canon i560 hooked up with a parallel cable and it takes about 2.5 mins
from start to finish to print out a 4x6. The claim is 50 sec with USB2. So
that works out about right.
Click to expand...

USB1 maxes out at 12Mb/s (1.5Mb/sec for low-speed). USB2 is 480Mb/sec.
That's 40 times faster, not 4.
 
Not that I'm all that concerned about the photo print speed as the regular
web pages and graphics full pages print at an astonishing speed. My 5x7's
and full size don't seem to take any longer then the 4x6 prints. I did
notice there is quite a lag till the printer actually kicks in and feeds the
paper though. How do I check my BIOS settings? I'm using XP pro. At any
rate I will get a USB2 card and the proper cable and see if that makes any
difference. I was kinda of waiting to upgrade my old 500mHz so I wouldn't
have to put anything new into it.

Wolf-==-
 
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