Difference between revisions of "Printer Port"
From CPCWiki - THE Amstrad CPC encyclopedia!
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* [[Virtual Net 96]] ([[Wizcat]]) | * [[Virtual Net 96]] ([[Wizcat]]) | ||
− | [[Category:CPC Internal Components]][[Category:Hardware]][[Category:Programming]][[Category:Printers and printer ports| ]][[Category:Peripherals]] | + | [[Category:CPC Internal Components]][[Category:Hardware]][[Category:Programming]][[Category:Printers and printer ports| ]][[Category:Peripherals]][[Category:Network]][[Category:Robotic]] |
Revision as of 15:52, 19 December 2010
The printer port supports one-directional 7bit data, strobe, and busy signals.
Contents
Data / Strobe
Port EFXX - Printer Port Output 74LS273 (7bit Data and Strobe) (W)
Bit 0-6 Printer Data (7bit) (0=Low, 1=High) Bit 7 Printer Strobe (0=High, 1=Low)
Busy (PIO.PortB.Bit6)
Port F5XX PIO Port B
Bit 0 VSYNC CRTC Vsync flag (1=VSYNC active) Bit 1-3 LK1-3 Distributor Code (see below) Bit 4 LK4 Desired Screen Refresh Rate (0=60Hz, 1=50Hz) (see below) Bit 5 /EXP External Input (used for external hardware only) Bit 6 BUSY Printer Busy flag (1=Busy, 0=Ready) Bit 7 RD DATA Tape Data Input
General Specifications
For (detailed) general information about Amstrad/Scheider printers, see:
- Amstrad/Schneider Printer Models
- Amstrad/Schneider Printer Technical Specifications
- Amstrad/Schneider Printer Control Codes
- Amstrad/Schneider Printer Support for 7bit Printer Ports
- Amstrad/Schneider Printer Character Sets
- Amstrad/Schneider Printer Buttons and DIP Switches
- Amstrad/Schneider Printer Resources (User and Service Manuals, Datasheets, ROM-images)
Pinouts
Upgrade to 8bit data
KC Compact Printer Port
The Printer Port in the KC Compact is fully compatible with the CPCs Printer Port, and includes some additional features:
- Port EFxxh is CIO Port A, by default configured as Output, with inverted polarity on bit7 (same as on CPC). However, CIO Port A could be reprogrammed by software (for example: making it an Input, or disabling the bit7 inversion)
- The 8th Printer bit connects to Bit5 of PIO Port C (same as the Happy Computer 8bit Printer Port mod)
- The "TEST" Feature of the KC Compact BIOS allows to boot the computer remotely via some kind of "network" connection, which connects to some of the CIO Port A signals
Aleste 520EX Printer Port
The Aleste 520EX is not compatible with the CPCs Printer Port (it's having other, non-printer related hardware mapped to EFXXh). Aside from the compatibility problem it's better than the CPCs port: Data is 8bit bi-directional.
Non-Printer Devices that connect to the Printer Port
- Ambug Robot (DIY) (connects to printer & joystick port)
- Data Media Printerinterface (printer splitter for connecting 2 or 3 software-selectable printers to the CPC)
- Digiblaster (Playback) (DIY) (8bit DAC on printer port)
- Fischertechnik Interface
- FuturePlayer (modern MP3 playback, max 128kbps) (Dr.Zed)
- KDS Power Controller (a box with eight relays)
- Simple RS232 for Printer usage (DIY) (one-directional, transmit only)
- Virtual Net 96 (Wizcat)