Dart Scanner for DMP-Printers

The DART scanner for DMP printers

A scanner for the Amstrad DMP 2000/3000 printers from Dart Electronics.

The Dart Scanner was reviewed in Amstradbladet 1987, Issue 3, page 8 (Danish)

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").

Observe that the manual includes some patches for usaging the scanning software with different printers.

• The Dart Scanner Cover
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  Back Cover

• 

  Front Cover

• The Dart Scanner Tape
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  The Dart Scanner Tape

• The DART scanner
• 

  The scanner attached to a CPC6128 and a DMP2000

• 

  The interface box

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  The scanner head

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  Interface and head (A new grey version?)

Dart Scanner Manual (pdf)

• Dart Scanner Driver (cas)
• Dart Scanner Driver (disk)

Observe that the manual includes some patches for usaging 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.

http://cpcrulez.fr/hardware_scannerDART.htm ( You can download the software here )