USB to Parallel Printer Cable, IEEE 1284

The cable that keeps a parallel printer in service on a modern machine. The USB plug goes into the computer, the parallel connector onto the printer, and the printer that lacks a USB port works again — through the standard IEEE 1284 interface.

Printing is faster than through a legacy parallel port: USB provides up to 12 Mbps of throughput against the roughly 150 kbps of a standard parallel connection. It is true plug and play with hot-plug support, so under Windows the cable is detected the moment it is connected, and a driver CD is included.

Key features

• USB to parallel IEEE 1284 printer adapter
• Up to 12 Mbps USB throughput
• Faster than a legacy parallel port
• Plug and play; hot-plug capable
• Driver CD included
• Supports virtually any standard or IEEE 1284 parallel printer

Specifications

Two notes. It is a printer cable, designed for parallel printers rather than general parallel I/O devices such as dongles or scanners that need a true EPP/ECP port. And printer port emulation depends on the operating system’s support — on very recent versions of Windows, check that your model still has a driver available before relying on it for production printing.

Typical applications

• Running a parallel printer from a USB-only PC
• Keeping older office printers in service
• Retail and back-office receipt or label printers

Custom and OEM options

Connector type, cable length, chipset variant, jacket colour, printed logo and retail packaging with your own artwork can all be specified. Standard items from 100 pcs, custom builds from 500 pcs, free samples, production in 20–25 working days.

Samples, packing options, payment terms and warranty conditions are set out in How to Order and Delivery Information.