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Printer proxy

Started by Cwiiis, 09:25, 14 September 21

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Cwiiis

I was wondering if anyone had made an Amstrad printer proxy? I would imagine it being a parallel interface on a Pi Zero or something like that that intercepts and interprets the Amstrad printer output and redirects it to a modern network printer via CUPS (or some abstraction sitting on top of that). The idea of being able to print straight from the Amstrad to a modern printer tickles me, for some reason :) Is there anything about the idea that wouldn't be feasible?

ajcasado

Hi,
If this doesn't fit your needs completely, could be a good starting point:
https://github.com/dasta400/ACPCPE.
CPC 664

Empiezas a envejecer cuando dejas de aprender.
You start to get old when you stop learning.

eto

I stumbled across a commercial solution last year, maybe this is an option: https://www.retroprinter.com/




genesis8

Quite interesting, I will write about it on my web site.

It could be interesting if the python program PC side could act also as a sound card using a resistance ladder (aka digiblaster).
____________
Amstrad news site at Genesis8 Amstrad Page

Cwiiis

Well, looks like this has been comprehensively done already, that's nice :) I suppose the question now is do I buy a retroprinter unit, or do I probably spend even more for the experience of getting a very similar thing working myself as an extension to ACPCPE...

ajcasado

Quote from: genesis8 on 11:53, 14 September 21It could be interesting if the python program PC side could act also as a sound card using a resistance ladder (aka digiblaster).

Real time Digiblaster samples playing may be hard to achieve, but playing the whole sound stream once received and/or store it in raw or compressed format should be close to trivial.
CPC 664

Empiezas a envejecer cuando dejas de aprender.
You start to get old when you stop learning.

ajcasado

Quote from: Cwiiis on 13:32, 14 September 21Well, looks like this has been comprehensively done already, that's nice :) I suppose the question now is do I buy a retroprinter unit, or do I probably spend even more for the experience of getting a very similar thing working myself as an extension to ACPCPE...

If you need a professional solution go for retroprinter, for fun and learning DIY!!!

Anyway the ACPCPE seems to be far cheaper.
CPC 664

Empiezas a envejecer cuando dejas de aprender.
You start to get old when you stop learning.

Animalgril987

What would be nice is something similar that prints over wi-fi. :D

Cwiiis

Quote from: Animalgril987 on 17:59, 14 September 21
What would be nice is something similar that prints over wi-fi. :D
Indeed, that's what I was intending - if I get the time I'll dig in and have a go 🙂

Animalgril987

Awesome. You can put me down for one!! :D :D

GUNHED

Quote from: Animalgril987 on 17:59, 14 September 21
What would be nice is something similar that prints over wi-fi. :D
Could this be done using the M4 card?
http://futureos.de --> Get the revolutionary FutureOS (Update: 2023.11.30)
http://futureos.cpc-live.com/files/LambdaSpeak_RSX_by_TFM.zip --> Get the RSX-ROM for LambdaSpeak :-) (Updated: 2021.12.26)

SkulleateR

There are cable that are used to connect a centronics printer to USB, these cables are Bi-Directional so in theory it should be possible to connect the CPC to a Raspberry Pi and use CUPS to redirect the printer output to a file (.PS oder .PDF maybe ?) ...


But I think someone has to do the Pi Programming then  ;D ;D ;D

ajcasado

Quote from: GUNHED on 02:21, 15 September 21Could this be done using the M4 card?

It should be possible, but normal print procedures of the CPC won't work (I mean, using the printer port).

Most network capable printers uses IPP protocol (https://www.pwg.org/ipp/ippguide.html), using the M4 ROM command  C_NETSEND, or the USIFAC II (with the WIFI module) AT command AT+CIPSEND you can manage (for instance add print jobs to) a network printer reachable from the CPC.


CPC 664

Empiezas a envejecer cuando dejas de aprender.
You start to get old when you stop learning.

ajcasado

Quote from: Animalgril987 on 17:59, 14 September 21What would be nice is something similar that prints over wi-fi.

Changing the MCU board of the ACPCPE for something compatible with the arduino framework, at least 9 digital I/O pins and wifi (NodeMCU for instance) should make it possible using the arduino library HttpClient.
See this example of the wifi printing part: https://medium.com/@ttrolololll/printer-pulse-check-to-prevent-dry-ink-with-esp32-devkit-338874d21445.
CPC 664

Empiezas a envejecer cuando dejas de aprender.
You start to get old when you stop learning.

Animalgril987

#14
Quote from: ajcasado on 12:17, 15 September 21It should be possible, but normal print procedures of the CPC won't work (I mean, using the printer port).
But it would be possible for someone to create a ROM that overrides the MC_PRINTER jumpblock entries so that LIST #8 and PRINT #8 send to printer via M4 or USIFAC?


I would give it ago, but I have trouble wrapping my old brain around low-level network stuff  :( :D

eto

Quote from: Animalgril987 on 16:04, 19 September 21I would give it ago, but I have trouble wrapping my old brain around low-level network stuff 

That is THE reason you should try it ;-)

Animalgril987

Quote from: eto on 16:41, 19 September 21That is THE reason you should try it ;-)
I guess so :D
@ Duke, how do I use C_NETSEND from a ROM?


Also, can someone please explain how would I access USIFAC AT commands from inside a ROM?
Many thanks in advance.


Alan.

zhulien

you can create one using the M4 and send your print job to a PHP server, then have a PC also connected to that server print the print jobs with QZ Tray - it works fantastic from Mobile Phone / PC to another PC with Printer connected anywhere over the internet - and can see no reason it wouldn't work on CPC if the CPC is the one sending the printjob to the server

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