About
8bit printer port by KDS. Connects to the regular 34pin 7bit Printer Port Connector, and does somehow expand it to 8bit in a similar fashion as the 8bit Printer Port from Paul Bauriedl - the exact I/O mechanism used by KDS, and differences (if any) between KDS and Paul's printer ports are unknown.
Versions
There are two versions: One that does require a power supply input, and one that doesn't.
The original version was first advertised in April 1985, these adverts didn't mention whether or not it requires a power supply input (normally, its data latch should need a power supply).
A year later, in April 1986 newer adverts included a note that a power input isn't required, which may refer to a new version, and which may mis-use the signal levels as supply voltages - if so, it may require some programming cautions (such like not to switch all signals to LOW level for longer periods), accordingly it may be incompatible with software from the older version.
Below are two photos, one showing a power-supply cable, one not showing one. Both have 34pin connectors, so both are probably printer-port-related hardware (although the photo with power cable is claimed to show a KDS Serial Interface with 50pin connector, which is obviously nonsense).
- KDS 8Bit Printer Port v1
Interface Box
Interface Top
PCB Top
PCB Bottom
- KDS 8Bit Printer Port v2
PCB Top
PCB Bottom
Adverts
ACU Apr 1985
- ACU8604-090.jpg
ACU Apr 1986
ACU May 1986
