Physically, it has to do with the number of twists-per-foot for each
=pair= of wires.
Electrically, it means there is less signal "bleed-over" or induction
between the pairs.
Realistically, it doesn't do much for the average user

But it DOES standardize both the type and quality of the cable you are
buying.  The IEEE specification addressees the quality of the components
as well as the construction methods.

The IEEE is involved with setting standards and quality issues.  What a
cable maker does with pricing is a totally different issue.

Jim Meagher
=====
Micro Solutions Consulting        Member of The HTML Writers Guild
http://www.ezy.net/~microsol     International Webmasters Association
410-543-8996                MS Site Builder Network - Level 2 member
=====
----- Original Message -----
From: JMB <[log in to unmask]>

> Okay, you engineers out there, what gives?
>
> Now a days, when you buy any computer, you have to separately purchase a
> printer cable and every manufacturer ALWAYS recommends a bi-directional
> IEEE-1284 compliant cable.
>
> Well, for about the last 8 years, all printer cables were bi-directional
> capable (at that time it meant that all 25 pins were populated in the
> DB-25 connector and properly terminated in the matching centronics
> connector.
>
> Somewhere along the way, manufacturers decided that a NEW (read that as
> 4X more expensive) printer cable was required for all new printers!
>
> Even the lowly Lexmark 1100, Canon BJC250, and Epson 440 'require' a
> bi-directional, IEEE-1284 compliant printer cable.
>
> So what is the difference between an IEEE-1284 and an ordinary printer
> cable?  Since both cables are shielded, the only thing I can think of is
> that maybe the 1284 cable has each major signal wire individually
> shielded, but I noticed that the cable diameter is almost the same
> diameter as ordinary cable.
>
> So what exactly makes the 1284 better?  I have used 'ordinary' cables on
> many low and mid-grade color inkjets with no degradation in signal.  I
> even used one on an HP-5000 for about 1 month until I could obtain a
> 1284 cable, and observed no difference in print quality or
> computer-printer operation (errors and such).  So what is the big deal
> here?
>
> Any theories are greatly appreciated.
> --
> Jean Bourvic :>))
>
>                          PCBUILD's List Owner's:
>                       Bob Wright<[log in to unmask]>
>                         Drew Dunn<[log in to unmask]>
>

            Do you want to signoff PCBUILD or just change to
                    Digest mode - visit our web site:
                    http://nospin.com/pc/pcbuild.html