Dart Scanner for DMP-Printers
A scanner for the Amstrad DMP 2000/3000 printers from Dart Electronics.
Reviews
The Dart Scanner was reviewed in Amstradbladet 1987, Issue 3, page 8 (Danish)
Technical
Uses port FBEFh, the port seems to be read-only.
Bit2 Carriage Returned/Parked (0=Wait/Head Parked, 1=Scan/Head Moving) Bit? Scanned Pixel Color (0=Black, 1=White)
Scanning is done in single scanlines (one pixels height). The scanning procedure waits while FBEFh.Bit2=0 (which probably indicates that the head is in the left-most position, or that it has just leaved it, or so). The horizontal "dot clock" is implemented as software delays. When scanning a black dot, one or more bits in Port FBEFh become non-zero (not sure which ones; the driver software simply checks "IF Port[FBEFh]<>FFh THEN PLOT pixel").
Observe that the manual includes some patches for usaging the scanning software with different printers.
Cover
- The Dart Scanner Cover
Back Cover
Front Cover
Tape
- The Dart Scanner Tape
The Dart Scanner Tape
Pictures
- The DART scanner
The scanner attached to a CPC6128 and a DMP2000
The interface box
The scanner head
Interface hand head (A new grey version?)
Manual
Dart Scanner Manual (pdf)
Download
Observe that the manual includes some patches for usaging the scanning software with different printers, ie. it may be required to do some small modifications before using the above drivers.
Links
http://cpcrulez.fr/hardware_scannerDART.htm ( You can download the software here )
