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8bit Printer Ports

492 bytes added, 22:10, 27 April 2012
The CPC [[Printer Port]] has only 7 bit data. Which is sufficient for english English 7 bit ASCII character sets, but not enough for 8 bit character sets. Also, printing bitmap graphics usually requires 8 bit data (though usually can also print 7 pixels columns combined with a reduced line-feed rate). Amstrad's DMP1 works perfectly with 7 bit, but Amstrad's later DMP2000/DMP2160 include a few functions that won't work on 7 bit ports - so even the official CPC printers aren't fully compatible with the CPC printer port. There's a software solution though, proposed by [[Amstrad Computer User]] using a replacement driver (only for printers accepting EPSON control codes).
== Internal 8 bit Printer Ports/Mods ==
* [[Panda Electronics Communications Interface Unit]] (dual RS232 plus PPI-based 8bit printer port) (Panda Electronics Ltd)
* [[RS232|RS232 Interfaces]] (various manufacturers) - can be used to access RS232-compatible printers with full '''8 bit''' support
* [[Schneiderware|Schneiderware Centronics BoardPort]] - connects (via a separate motherboard) to Expansion Port (uses a [[8255 PPI chip]]) (details on I/O addresses are unknown)* Centronics to serial 8-pin DIN Adaptor for "Gabriele 9009" daisy-wheel printer from Triumph-Adler (DIY, [[CPC Schneider International]] 12-1985, pages 88, 89)
Also, reportedly, the following external hardware exists:
* 8 bit Printer Port with 16 bit I/O port ([[HoneySoft]]) (see [[Media:Amstrad Computer User8509037.jpg|advert]])
There's nothing else known about that Other external printer-related hardware(though not 8bit related): * Centronics to serial 8-pin DIN Adaptor for "Gabriele 9009" daisy-wheel printer from Triumph-Adler (DIY, [[CPC Schneider International]] 12-1985, pages 88, 89)* KDS Printer T Switch ([[KDS]]) - allows to connect 2 printers, the desired printer can be selected via software  == Software solution (only for printers that support EPSON control codes) == Written by J. G. Gribbs and published in [[Amstrad Computer User]] magazine in July of 1991. <gallery>image:ACU9107-056.jpgimage:ACU9107-057.jpg </gallery> 
== See also ==
* [[Amstrad/Schneider Printer Support for 7bit Printer Ports]]
[[Category:HardwarePrinters and printer ports]] [[Category:DIY]]
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