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 printers.

Reviews

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

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. Moreover, the newer printer BIOSes might cause problems (eg. in case they should be "intelligent" enough not to move the head when printing blanks lines) (not tested).

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?)

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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