EPSON PERFECTION 3200 USB vs. FireWire (IEEE 1394)

[Silence Seeker]

Hi,
I got this brand new EPSON PERFECTION 3200 scanner and it has the
option of connecting it to the PC via either USB2.0 or FireWire (IEEE
1394). Since my PC has both ports too, which one should I choose?
Which one will give me faster scan times? Which one integrates more
naturally with the OS (W2K/WXP)? By "integrates more naturally" I mean
gives less trouble and easier to configure and use.

Also, the scanner's installation manual states: "connect either the
USB or the FireWire, do NOT connect both". This seems reasonable to
me, but if I were to connect the USB interface to one PC and the
FireWire interface to ANOTHER PC and attempt to use the scanner from
BOTH PCs, but NEVER AT THE SAME TIME, will this work? Could this
possibly cause damage to the scanner?

Thanks,
Sam

 

[-]

I believe the USB 2.0 is theoretically a bit faster than that version of
Firewire (somebody please correct me if I am wrong) but I think that in most
situations you really won't see that much difference in actual time between
when you initiate the scan and when you actually have an image up on your
screen ready to edit. I know there is a newer version of Firewire that is
supposed to be even faster, but I don't believe that is the version you
quoted.

Doug

 

[Leonard Evens]

Hi,
I got this brand new EPSON PERFECTION 3200 scanner and it has the
option of connecting it to the PC via either USB2.0 or FireWire (IEEE
1394). Since my PC has both ports too, which one should I choose?
Which one will give me faster scan times? Which one integrates more
naturally with the OS (W2K/WXP)? By "integrates more naturally" I mean
gives less trouble and easier to configure and use.

You can try both to see if it makes a difference. In most cases, the
time to transmit the information from scanner to computer is small
compared to the time required to scan. You can tell transmission time
is an issue if the scanner appears to stop and pause while scanning.
The Epson 3200 is slow enough that it probably won't make much difference.

Also, the scanner's installation manual states: "connect either the
USB or the FireWire, do NOT connect both". This seems reasonable to
me, but if I were to connect the USB interface to one PC and the
FireWire interface to ANOTHER PC and attempt to use the scanner from
BOTH PCs, but NEVER AT THE SAME TIME, will this work? Could this
possibly cause damage to the scanner?

You would have to check with Epson. It is possible that just connecting
them puts voltages on the electronics which may damage the scanner. I
wouldn't do it without an okay from the manufacturer.

 

[Silence Seeker]

You can try both to see if it makes a difference. In most cases, the
time to transmit the information from scanner to computer is small
compared to the time required to scan. You can tell transmission time
is an issue if the scanner appears to stop and pause while scanning.
The Epson 3200 is slow enough that it probably won't make much difference.

Actually, I don't have the firewire cable. I am trying to find out if
it's worth it to invest in one:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=12-107-206&depa=0

Also, there are zillions types of FireWire cables, I don't have a clue
which one to buy for this scanner.

I am also trying to avoid installation of both the USB and FireWire
software on the same computer. I somehow sense that this can cause
trouble...

You would have to check with Epson. It is possible that just connecting
them puts voltages on the electronics which may damage the scanner. I
wouldn't do it without an okay from the manufacturer.

Thanks for the advice. I will check with Epson. Another possibility is
to use a USB A/B switch like this:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-107-903&catalog=-1&depa=0&section=3

What do you think?

Thanks,
Sam