Parallel port camera 2 USB?

[allan gould]

I have a parallel port SBIG st7 camera which has a parallel port and usually communicates with an old laptop which has a genuine parallel port on it. Is it possible to purchase a parallel to usb converter so that I can use this camera with my new laptop? If such a beast exists where can I purchase on in Australia?
Thanks
Allan

[madtuna]

http://www.keyspan.com/products/homepage.2.productList.Parallel.spm l

I'm not sure but thier Mini Port Replicator (http://www.keyspan.com/products/upr112g/) might be what you are after.

[allan gould]

Yes thats what Im after but at $40US just for shipping its too expensive.

[madtuna]

Give Gary from Wildcard a ring, I know he stocks the USB/serial adapters.
The Keyspan would have to be the most reccommended. Pretty much garrenteed to work with anything.
I've tried a zillion others and none worked..on;y the Keyspan.

[sheeny]

Allan,

Check whether your software needs to see your camera port as a parallel port. If it does, you will need to get an adapter that shows up on your PC as an LPT port - not all of them do.

See these threads:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=6421&highlight=parallel+USB
and
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=6897&highlight=parallel+USB

I know the ToUcam isn't relevant but the adapter may be...

Al.

[Dennis]

Hi Allan

Ahah, so I’m not the only one with one of these! Does your ST7 have the TC211 or TC237 guide chip?

In terms of parallel ports, can you get a docking station for your notebook at reasonable cost? I use one with my Notebook and it gives me a 25 way parallel, a 9 pin RS232 Serial and an extra 4 USB2 ports and I can leave all the cables plugged in and just undock the notebook.

Cheers

Dennis

[allan gould]

Dennis
Never thought of that option - Ill look into it. I really dont know what sort of chip it has, I think its the 237 guide chip. These old cameras work surprisingly well and thats why Ive kept it. I still have an old laptop with a parallel port that I use and so I guess that Ill keep that just for running the ST7 - will probably turn out cheaper in the long run.
Thanks for all your imput guys it really was much appreciated.
Allan

[Dennis]

My docking station is the IBM for the IBM Notebook so all the additional ports and connectors appear as “native” and behave as if they were on the Notebook.

I have seen some 3rd party docking stations that seem to connect to the (any?) notebook via a USB Port, so I’m not sure how the expansion ports and connectors will appear to the devices living in the outside world?

Cheers

Dennis