Dart Scanner for DMP-Printers

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The DART scanner for DMP printers

A scanner from Dart Electronics for use with Amstrad's DMP2000 and DMP3000 printer series (including later DMP2160/3160/3250di 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 1986 until 1992.

Technical

The 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. 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 DMP3000), and, the printer DIP switches must be set up properly (see last page of manual for details).

The manual doesn't mention anything about compatibility with DMP2160/DMP3160/DMP3250di - theoretically it should be possible to attach the Scanner to them (since they have the same case as DMP2000/DMP3000). One problem is that the newer printer models do move the head at faster speed (160 CPS instead of 105 CPS), so the horizontal resolution (and position) will change; which could be fixed at software side. Apparently this was handled in later versions, an advert in Amstrad Computer User Nov 1988, page 21 states that the package does also work with DMP2000/DMP2160/DMP3000/DMP3160. Older adverts (until Amstrad Computer User Sep 1988, page 23 stated only DMP2000/DMP3000 support.

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 and head (A new grey version?)

Reviews/Adverts

  • The Dart Scanner was reviewed in Amstradbladet 1987, Issue 3, pages 8, 9, 10 (Danish)
  • 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 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.

Manual

Download

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 )

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