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computerhakk · 10-30-2006, 05:18 AM

6. Connection interfaces

ISA/Parallel

-*couldn't find an isa adapter picture.
Probably the very first connection type for scanners. Even when it was made, most pc's didn't have any available adapter to connect to besides the printer port. These adapters weren't originally made for scanning, so the data and information being sent back and forth through it was slow. The next idea was a custom adapter on an ISA card. Even now, most pc's didn't have this and most scanners sold at this time came with it's own custom adapter on an ISA card that needed to be installed.

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SCSI

Known more commenly on a mac, the SCSI was the next available option for scanners since ISA/Parallel ports weren't really working out too good. However, this also raised another issue since the SCSI adapters were suppose to be on a mac only, most pc's didn't have any. Again, in this time period, most scanners sold came with one of these that has to be installed. So, if you had no spare slots or no other available IRQs for it to use, you really have no choice. You either needed to drop down to printer port or a custom ISA card. There wasn't really much options or other ways because technology haven't advanced far enough yet...

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USB

Fast forward a couple years or so and the USB port was introduced. Unlike SCSI, ISA, and Parallel, most pc's came with USB now. It was as if it was the standard for each pc should have atleast one. The USB ports were small and efficient and required no real know how since it is usually plug and play. When installing a scanner for the first time, it's as easy as supplying the right driver for the scanner. USB's were far more effective and faster than any other previsouly mentioned; another thing to note was that USB was able to provide power. At some point, manufacturers were making scanners that run straight off the USB and the pc's power with no need for any other plug to the outlet. However, this wasn't as efficient as giving the scanner it's own source of power, so it was quickly thrown out. Nonetheless, this is not saying that this method doesn't exist anymore; but merely as USB technology has improved, USB-powered scanners have begun to be re-introduced; especially card scanners and other smaller scanners whic do not require tons of power to operate.

.
Firewire

Lastly, or probably produced about the same time, firewire was introduced to the market too. Firewire were an improvement over USB with speed and effeciveness of the image qualities. Firewire connections were able to handle 400 megabytes per second, but were usually found on the higher-end scanners with a pricier price tags. Now generally, firewire linked scanners are able to produce better quality outputs as they are able to transfer more digitized data from the scanner to the pc.

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10-30-2006, 05:18 AM	#7 (permalink)
computerhakk VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: THOJhakk county Posts: 3,635	Connection interfaces 6. Connection interfaces ISA/Parallel -couldn't find an isa adapter picture. Probably the very first connection type for scanners. Even when it was made, most pc's didn't have any available adapter to connect to besides the printer port. These adapters weren't originally made for scanning, so the data and information being sent back and forth through it was slow. The next idea was a custom adapter on an ISA card. Even now, most pc's didn't have this and most scanners sold at this time came with it's own custom adapter on an ISA card that needed to be installed. . SCSI* Known more commenly on a mac, the SCSI was the next available option for scanners since ISA/Parallel ports weren't really working out too good. However, this also raised another issue since the SCSI adapters were suppose to be on a mac only, most pc's didn't have any. Again, in this time period, most scanners sold came with one of these that has to be installed. So, if you had no spare slots or no other available IRQs for it to use, you really have no choice. You either needed to drop down to printer port or a custom ISA card. There wasn't really much options or other ways because technology haven't advanced far enough yet... . USB Fast forward a couple years or so and the USB port was introduced. Unlike SCSI, ISA, and Parallel, most pc's came with USB now. It was as if it was the standard for each pc should have atleast one. The USB ports were small and efficient and required no real know how since it is usually plug and play. When installing a scanner for the first time, it's as easy as supplying the right driver for the scanner. USB's were far more effective and faster than any other previsouly mentioned; another thing to note was that USB was able to provide power. At some point, manufacturers were making scanners that run straight off the USB and the pc's power with no need for any other plug to the outlet. However, this wasn't as efficient as giving the scanner it's own source of power, so it was quickly thrown out. Nonetheless, this is not saying that this method doesn't exist anymore; but merely as USB technology has improved, USB-powered scanners have begun to be re-introduced; especially card scanners and other smaller scanners whic do not require tons of power to operate. . Firewire Lastly, or probably produced about the same time, firewire was introduced to the market too. Firewire were an improvement over USB with speed and effeciveness of the image qualities. Firewire connections were able to handle 400 megabytes per second, but were usually found on the higher-end scanners with a pricier price tags. Now generally, firewire linked scanners are able to produce better quality outputs as they are able to transfer more digitized data from the scanner to the pc. Top of page __________________ "Remember, wrong advice may be worse than no advice at all." ::COMPUTERHAKK:::