Adding Serial Ports to Your Computer

Most new personal computers have replaced older serial connectors (e.g. DIN8 and DB9) with USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports.  Therefore, you may need one of the following configurations to connect the Smart Focus, BBOX or NGC-MAX to your computer.  We do not sell the Serial Adapter equipment.  See "Where to Find the Equipment" below for more information.

Smart Focus with PC
JMI's Smart Focus serial cable (included with SFDRO) AND a Type-A USB (male) to DB9 (male) Serial Adapter.

NGC-MAX or BBOX with PC
JMI's PC Version Serial Cable (CBLBBOX) AND a Type-A USB (male) to DB9 (male) Serial Adapter.

NOTE:    When using a USB to 9-pin RS-232 Serial Adapter/Cable you must make sure of two things:

1)  Be sure the correct driver is installed.  (Follow the instructions provided with the device.)

2)  Use the correct USB to Serial Adapter (Null Modem vs Straight Through).  If you purchase a Null Modem Adapter you will need to replace our included Null Modem Serial Cable with a Straight Through Serial Cable (or use the null modem adapter WITHOUT a serial cable at all).  If you purchase a Straight Through Adapter you will need to use our included Null Modem Cable.

Many USB to Serial Adapters do not tell you if they are Null Modem or Straight Through.  If the adapter is designed to connect a digital device directly to your computer, it is most likely a Null Modem device.  Some adapters appear to be able to switch between the two modes automatically.

Where to Find the Equipment

Manufacturers are constantly changing products and part numbers but the last time we checked (April 18, 2002) the following adapters appeared to match the criteria necessary for this connection:

PC Compatible:
Global Computer  500kbps USB to 9-Pin Serial Adapter (PC USB to DB9 Serial).
Go to www.globalcomputer.com or call 800-845-6225 and order part number B131-5002 (approx. $17)  (Added April 21, 2004)

BAFO Technologies 1Mbps USB to Serial Adapter (DB9) (PC USB to DB9 Serial).  
Go to www.tigerdirect.com and do a search for part number B133-1014, or manufacturer's part number BF-810 (approx. $20).
This is a straight through device.
This product has been tested and verified to work with JMI equipment.  (Added February 10, 2003)

KeySpan High Speed USB Serial Adapter (PC USB to DB9 Serial).
Go to www.cdw.com and do a search for part number 323100 (approx. $50).

Ambir Technology NotePro High Speed USB to Serial Adapter Cable (PC USB to DB9 Serial).
Go to www.cdw.com and do a search for part number 378351 (approx. $35).

EXP Single (PCA-SER1) and Dual (PCA-SER2) RS-232 Serial Port PC Cards.
Go to www.psism.com and do a search for part number PCA-SER1 or PCA-SER2 (approx. $160 to $180).

Socket Communications PCMCIA Dual Serial I/O Adapter.
Go to www.psism.com and do a search for part number SL0703-081 (approx. $220).

Socket Communications PCMCIA Quad Serial I/O Adapter.
Go to www.psism.com and do a search for part number SL0751-161 (approx. $350).

Both PC and Mac:
 IOGEAR USB to Serial Converter Cable
Go to www.iogear.com and search for part number GUC232A (approx. $40).
This device appears to be able to switch automatically between "straight through" and "null modem" modes.
We found this product at www.globalcomputer.com for $27 (part number GUC232A).  (Added October 26, 2004)
This product has been tested and verified to work with JMI equipment.  (Verified December 31, 2007)
We have NOT been able to use this device with our Vista machine.

Socket Communications PCMCIA Single Serial I/O Adapter.
Go to www.psism.com and do a search for part number SL0700-004 (approx. $170).

Dynex 16" USB to RS-232 Serial Adapter Cable  (Added April 30, 2013)
Go to www.bestbuy.com and search for part number DX-UBDB9 (approx. $37).
This is a null modem device.
This product has been tested and verified to work with JMI equipment.  (Verified April 30, 2013)
We have been able to use this device with our XP, Vista, and Windows 7 machines.

Apple Macintosh:
KeySpan USB Twin Serial Adapter (Mac USB to 8-pin mini-DIN Serial).
Go to www.cdw.com and do a search for part number 164684 (approx. $75).

APC USB Apple Serial Adapter 2-Port (Mac USB to 8-pin mini-DIN Serial).
Go to www.cdw.com and do a search for part number 242679 (approx. $75).