Subj : Re: Printing on Commodore printer without Commodore 64
To   : Pekka Takala
From : Rami
Date : Sun Jul 30 2017 01:48:55

On Sunday, July 30, 2017 at 7:26:50 AM UTC+3, Pekka Takala wrote:
> On 29.07.2017 11:42, Rami wrote:
> > Hello fine Commodore people, 
> > 
> > I have Commodore MPS 803 printer (I think it is 803, it is in the storage 
at the moment) and have been toying with the idea of hooking it up to Raspberry 
Pi or similar... And later maybe even add a CUPS driver and allow remote 
printing. 
> > 
> > I think I did try to dig up information for this couple of years ago and 
came to understand that the printer serial protocol is non-standard and 
documentation for it is hard to find. Someone also mentioned some Nuts and 
Volts article but I was unable 
to get it from the publisher. 
> > 
> > So I would appreciate any information on C64 serial printer protocol / 
modern tools / github repos / whatever you can provide. 
> > 
> > Thanks! 
> > 
> > 
> The protocol is essentially the same protocol as commodore 1541 disk
> drive protocol is. The printer just uses device number 4 instead of 8.
> 
> Trust me, it is much easier to find a suitable matrix printer for your
> PC than to attach the commodore printer to your pc. The cbm protocol is
> very tight in timing.
> 
> Sell the printer to someone c64/vic20/c128 enthusiast.

Thanks Pekka. If the timing is as tight as you say I might just let this be for 
now. The idea was basically just hook up something almost useless to modern 
computer setting for fun and laughs.

I do have (I think) two Commodore 64s (and 2*A500, A500+ and A1200) so I think 
I keep the printer, find some continuous feed paper for it and hook it up to 
C64. :)

-- 
Rami

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