I hope someone doesn't get mad at me for asking this question: what's the difference between the plain JP1 cable using only a couple of resistors and a switching diode and the "ultra cable" with the IC and supporting circuitry?
If what I've read is correct, the ultra cable is serial? Besides the possibility of a PC not having a parallel port, why would someone build the ultra cable instead of the simple cable?
Just curious. I have already built the simple cable which worked perfectly. It was so easy to make and use, it makes me wonder why a person would go through the trouble of creating the ultra cable.
Just curious about the JP1 cable
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Mark Pierson
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The Ultra interface is NOT serial. It's basically supposed to be a more robust interface than the Simple design, both of which use the parallel port.
The Ultra design came about because many people, especially laptop users, had trouble with voltage differences at the port. The latest design of the Simple interface (with 1k resistors instead of 10k) has helped, but not eliminated all the problems.
There are also serial and USB versions of the interface available.
The Ultra design came about because many people, especially laptop users, had trouble with voltage differences at the port. The latest design of the Simple interface (with 1k resistors instead of 10k) has helped, but not eliminated all the problems.
There are also serial and USB versions of the interface available.
Mark