USB to IrDA IR778: The Essential Adapter for Legacy Infrared Devices
For most modern computers, infrared communication disappeared years ago. Built-in IrDA ports vanished from laptops, desktops, and mobile devices as USB, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi became standard. Yet many specialized devices still rely on infrared communication for configuration, synchronization, and data transfer.
The IR778 USB to IrDA Adapter available from PCCables.com bridges that gap, allowing modern computers to communicate with legacy infrared hardware through a standard USB connection. The adapter is based on the MOSCHIP MCS7780 chipset and supports SIR, MIR, and FIR infrared communication modes with transfer speeds up to 4 Mbps.
Why Are IrDA Adapters Still Needed?
While consumer electronics largely abandoned infrared data transfer, many professional and specialty devices never transitioned to newer communication standards.
Common applications include:
- Dive computers
- Medical monitoring devices
- Industrial handheld terminals
- Scientific instruments
- Legacy PDAs and Printers
- Fitness and heart-rate monitoring equipment
- Specialized diagnostic tools
For these devices, the challenge is often not the hardware itself. The challenge is finding a modern computer that can still communicate with them.
A Popular Solution for Dive Computers
One of the most common modern uses for the IR778 is downloading dive logs from older SCUBAPRO and UWATEC dive computers.
SCUBAPRO's own infrared USB interface was designed specifically to transfer dive information from compatible dive computers into SmartTRAK and LogTRAK software. Supported models include numerous Galileo, Aladin, and UWATEC Smart-series dive computers.
Examples include:
- Galileo Sol, Luna, Terra
- Aladin Prime, TEC, Sport
- Smart Pro, Com, Tec
For divers maintaining older equipment, an IrDA adapter often remains the easiest way to transfer years of dive history onto a modern computer.
Compatible Diving Devices: Aladin Prime, Galileo Luna and Uwatec Smart Pro
Keeping Legacy Equipment Operational
Many organizations continue using reliable equipment long after manufacturers stop supporting it.
The IR778 helps extend the useful life of hardware that would otherwise become difficult or impossible to connect to modern systems.
Healthcare, Medical Equipment and Industrial Devices
Older monitoring and diagnostic devices often used infrared communication to safely transfer patient data without direct electrical connections. Additionally, many handheld data collectors, barcode systems, and field instruments used IrDA because of its simplicity and reliability.
Legacy Printers
Some older business printers also included IrDA support for wireless printing before Wi-Fi became common. A notable example is the HP LaserJet 6MP, a business-class laser printer that featured an infrared port for direct printing from compatible laptops and handheld devices. Since modern computers lack the built-in infrared hardware needed to communicate with them, an IR778 USB to IrDA Adapter can help restore connectivity to compatible infrared-equipped printing systems.
Legacy PDAs
Popular PDA platforms from Palm, HP, and other manufacturers frequently relied on infrared synchronization before USB became standard.
Fitness Devices
Early heart-rate monitors and training devices often used IrDA to transfer workout and performance data to desktop software. Popular examples include the Polar CS600X with Power, CS600X, RS800CX Pro Team, RS800CX Bike, RS800CX Multi, RS800CX Run, RS800CX, CS400, RS400sd, and related Polar training computers. For athletes and coaches still using these devices, an IrDA adapter can provide a convenient way to download workout history, performance metrics, and training data to compatible software on modern computers.
Palm PDA, HP iPaq, HP LaserJet 6MP, Polar Heart Rate Monitor,
Broad Compatibility Through the MCS7780 Chipset
The PCCables IR778 adapter supports:
- IrDA 1.0, 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3
And operates in:
- SIR, MIR and FIR modes
Transfer rates range from 2.4 Kbps to 115.2 Kbps in SIR mode and up to 4 Mbps in FIR mode. The adapter requires no external power supply and connects directly through USB.
Driver support is available for Windows, MacOS and Linux, making it one of the more versatile IrDA solutions still available today.
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Why Choose the PCCables IR778?
The IR778 remains one of the few readily available solutions for connecting legacy infrared devices to modern computers.
Benefits include:
- USB plug-and-play connectivity
- No external power adapter required
- Support for multiple IrDA standards
- Compatibility with a wide range of legacy devices
- MCS7780 chipset reliability
- Windows, Mac, and Linux support
For organizations and enthusiasts maintaining older equipment, replacing an entire device simply because the communication interface is obsolete rarely makes sense. The IR778 provides a practical bridge between modern USB systems and legacy infrared hardware.
Available at PCCables.com
Since 1996, PCCables.com has specialized in hard-to-find connectivity products, legacy adapters, and specialty communication hardware.
Whether you're downloading dive logs from a Galileo dive computer, synchronizing a legacy PDA, or maintaining specialized equipment that still relies on infrared communication, the IR778 USB to IrDA Adapter offers a simple and reliable solution.
View the USB to IrDA Converter MOSCHIP MCS7780 Adapter at PCCables.com and keep your infrared devices connected.
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Sean Kullmann
Sean Kullmann