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 (Steve)]

http://www.keyspan.com/products/home....Parallel.spml

I'm not sure but thier Mini Port Replicator might be what you are after.

[allan gould]

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

[madtuna (Steve)]

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 (Al)]

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/s...t=parallel+USB
and
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...t=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]

Originally Posted by 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

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