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, and printer DIP switches must be set up properly (see last page of manual for details).
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
Dart Scanner Manual (pdf)
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 )