View source for KDS 8-Bit Printer Port

== About ==
[[8bit Printer Ports|8bit printer port]] by [[KDS]]. Connects to the regular 34pin 7bit [[Connector:Printer port|Printer Port Connector]], and does somehow expand it to 8bit. Contrary to other 8-bit printer port expansions, as long as the KDS v2 software driver is not loaded the CPC works in 7-bit mode as though the KDS v2 interface is not there. The exact I/O mechanism used by KDS is unknown.

== Versions ==

There are two versions: One that does require a power supply input, and one that doesn't.
Another difference is that the original version is not compatible with CP/M, while the later version is.

The original version was first advertised in April 1985, these adverts didn't mention whether or not it requires a power supply input (normally, its data latch should need a power supply).

A year later, in April 1986 newer adverts included a note that a power input isn't required, which may refer to a new version, and which may mis-use the signal levels as supply voltages - if so, it may require some programming cautions (such like not to switch all signals to LOW level for longer periods), accordingly it may be incompatible with software from the older version.

Below are two photos, one showing a power-supply cable, one not showing one. Both have 34pin connectors, so both are probably printer-port-related hardware (although the photo with power cable is claimed to show a [[KDS Electronics Serial Interface|KDS Serial Interface]] with 50pin connector, which is obviously nonsense).

<gallery caption="KDS 8Bit Printer Port v1">
Image:KDS.jpg|Interface Box
Image:KDS_8Bit_PrinterPort_Top.jpg|Interface Top
Image:KDS_8Bit_PrinterPort_PCB_Top.jpg|PCB Top
Image:KDS_8Bit_PrinterPort_PCB_Bottom.jpg|PCB Bottom
</gallery>

<gallery caption="KDS 8Bit Printer Port v2">
Image:KDS_8Bit_Printer_Port_v2_PCB_Top.jpg|PCB Top
Image:KDS_8Bit_Printer_Port_v2_PCB_Bottom.jpg|PCB Bottom
</gallery>

== Review and Ads ==

<gallery>
File:KDS 8bit printer port review.jpeg|KDS v2 Review
File:KDS printer port ads.jpg|KDS v2 Ad
File:Amstrad Computer User8504_054.jpg|ACU Apr 1985
File:ACU8605-048.jpg|ACU May 1986
</gallery>

== Manual ==
* [[Media:KDS_8Bit_Printer_Port_v2_Manual.pdf|KDS 8 Bit Printer Port v2 Manual]] (pdf)

[[Category:Printers and printer ports]][[Category:Peripherals]][[Category:Manual]]