[[Image:Cpc dartscanner.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The DART scanner for DMP printers]]
A scanner from [[Dart Electronics]] for the use with Amstrad DMP 2000's [[DMP2000]] and [[DMP3000]] printer series (including later DMP2160/3000 printers 3160/3250di variants). The scanner optics are attached to the printer head. This solution sounds a bit crude, but it was surprisingly successful: Adverts were released every some months in ACU, from Dart Electronics1986 until 1992.
== Reviews Technical ==
The Dart Scanner was reviewed scanner optics are attached to the printer head. The scanner interface connects to the expansion port. 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 (ie. the horizontal resolution depends on the software). When scanning a black dot, one or more bits in Port FBEFh become non-zero (not sure which bit; the driver software simply checks "IF Port[FBEFh]<>FFh THEN PLOT pixel"). '''Caution:''' The scanning software may be required to be adjusted for different printer/scanner versions (eg. an extra delay for [Amstradbladet 1987, Issue 3[DMP3000]]), and, the printer DIP switches must be set up properly (see last page 8 of manual for details).Further timing adjustments are required for the [[DMP2160]], [[DMP3160]], and [[DMP3250|DMP3250di]] printers, which do move the head at faster speed, and do thus need adjustments for horizontal resolution (Danishand position). Details on these adjustments should be found in newer versions of the Dart Scanner manual and/or in newer versions of the supplied software. == Cover == <gallery caption="The Dart Scanner Cover"> Image:2000px_Dart Scanner Back Cover.jpg|Back CoverImage:2000px_Dart Scanner Front Cover.jpg|Front Cover </gallery>
== Tape ==
Image:Dart 2.jpg|The interface box
Image:Dart 3.jpg|The scanner head
Image:scandart.jpg|Interface hand and head (A new grey version?)Image:DartDMPScanner_Top.jpg|Interface TopImage:DartDMPScanner_Bottom.jpg|Interface BottomImage:DartDMPScanner_PCB_Bottom.jpg|PCB TopImage:DartDMPScanner_PCB_Top.jpg|PCB Bottom </gallery> == Reviews/Adverts == * Reviewed in [[Amstradbladet 1987, Issue 3]], pages [[:File:Amstrad Bladet8703008.jpg|8]], [[:File:Amstrad Bladet8703009.jpg|9]], [[:File:Amstrad Bladet8703010.jpg|10]] (Danish)* Reviewed in [[CPC Schneider International]], issue 7-1987, page 34 (German).* Dart Scanner Advert for DMP2000 in ACU Dec 1986 page 43.* Dart Scanner Advert for DMP2000/3000 in ACU xxx ... until Sep 1988 page 23.* Dart Scanner Advert for DMP2000/2160/3000/3160 in ACU Nov 1988 page 21, ACU Dec 1989 page 72, ACU Dec 1990 page 50, ACU Jan 1991 page 10, ACU Feb 1991 page 10, ACU May 1991 page 68.* Dart Scanner Advert for DMP2000/2160/3000/3160/3250 in ACU Sep 1991 page 51, ACU Nov 1991 page 50, ACU Apr 1992 page 48, ACU May 1992 page 19. <gallery caption="Advertisement of DART scanner in ACU (May 1992)"> Image:DART scanner ACU May92.jpg|DART scanner Advertisement
</gallery>
== Manual ==
* [[Media:Dart Scanner Manual.pdf|Dart Scanner Manual]] (pdf) - DMP2000 version (with some DMP3000 notes) == Download == * [[Media:Image Scanner Dart Utility.zip|Dart Scanner Driver (cas)]]* [[Media:Scanner Dart DISK-UTIL.zip|Dart Scanner Driver (disk)]] Observe that the manual includes some '''patches''' for using the scanning software with different printers, ie. it may be required to do some small modifications before using the above drivers. And, the manual says that '''DIP switches''' on the printer must be configured properly. == Links == http://cpcrulez.fr/hardware_scannerDART.htm ( You can download the software here )
[[Category:HardwarePrinters and printer ports]] [[Category:Peripherals]] [[Category:Manual]]