The manuals for 1980's printers were great. Contained everything you need to know to interface with and drive them. Often the manuals were basically almost datasheets as well as user manuals.
I love these old connectors with the screw fasteners. I've been wanting to incorporate them into a project for ages but haven't gotten around to it yet... So much nostalgia!
Let's see... I have a Panasonic 2135 color dot-matrix printer (bought it new back when the world was young) and plenty of ribbons for it. I have an Okimate 20 (or is it 10? the PC compatible version) with a couple ribbons for it, need to get some thermal fax paper while I still can, though. I have a Gorilla Banana 7-pin printer I bought specifically because it's a PC version of the CBM 1525... and I _loved_ the no-descender printouts of that thing. I've got 2 ribbons for it... they were hard to get. And I have a Tandy CGP-115 plotter, with lots of pens (most of which are probably dried-out :( ) I would love it if I could interface any of these old fellows up to my modern computers. Especially wirelessly!
Would it not be easier to use a USB to Centronics adapter connected to a raspberry pi that is set up as a print server? I'm pretty sure CUPS already has tonnes of drivers for legacy printers such as dot matrix or daisywheel but if not, writing one for CUPS might actually prove to be more useful. A CUPS driver could allow an array of different devices to work with the printer such as phones, smart TVs, consoles, etc, and also over Wifi or Ethernet.
There are plenty ways to skin a cat. I got 3 of these adapters and none of them work with Any of my printers. A pi in the mix would need zine zo boot, while this is instantly active. And fir the wifi stuff and so on you should keep an eye open for a following project.
@@MAYERMAKES I completely agree, was just wondering if it was a route you considered. Also certainly agree printer adapters can be very hit or miss. I was lucky when I bought my second hand LaserJet 4L that the adapter the previous owner included works flawlessly with it and my Pi, it still blows me a away that not only can I use a printer from like 1992 as my normal printer, but also I can print to it from my modern smartphone. Definitely going to be keeping an eye out for more projects though, gotta admit I am very tempted to try and get hold of a Dot Matrix printer myself :)
I'd rather put the centronics connector on the board itself to avoidu using that big parallel cable ... so it can be directly on the back of the printer and use only usb cable to connect to it.
the arduino works and can easy support different printers. but if you wand a simple solution wch-ic makes a USB to Parallel/printer ic the CH341 makes it a easy single chip intergration. you can buy already made cable from smartphone to printer adapter.
i have several of these cables and none of them worked. a single chip solution is simple, but not freely programmable, which is important for my further project ideas.
I am currently trying to figure out how to run a dos based eeprom programmer on android in dosbox or something else that can run dos and be able to connect to the programmer which has a db25 port. Would this be possible or can you help figure out how to do it?
I still have serial mice. Two "Cutie" mice still in original packaging, and a 2 button microsoft mouse I use with my win98 box, plus a serial trackball I use with my Toshiba T5200 laptop. I've also other serial-based pointing devices. #serialgang
that is cute but my hp 8200 sff has a real uart chip and other pc motherboards do too and under linux it is native stuff parallel port and serial but native I can connect a REAL VT100 terminal to my PC via serial on linux and it's a terminal $ umm what do you want to do
real parallel port printing from Linux and connect an old school real terminal via serial port I LOVE Linux. You can connect a real terminal from the 70's up via serial Linux is UNIX based oh it will work just get the settings right and Linux has parallel printer drivers and other things especially with a fast UART real parallel port motherboard it's fantastic!
Seems it would be more cost effective to just buy a modern printer. Then you can connect to it thru WiFi. Well, I know. You do it just to do it. It's there. Same reason they climb mountains. :D Good luck finding the spocket-fed paper. Or the ribbons.
The ribbons are still made and available, this model is still not that old.i hit another one that has thecsorocket adapter. It's just not the same with ink jet or laser, and for done tasks they are faster. +I love the sound.
I have a Commodore MPS-803 printer from the 1980's that still works and uses single sheets of paper. I use it to print out monthly calendars. I was able to find "new old stock" ribbons and even revived the old ribbon with some WD-40. Unfortunately I can't use this project with the 803 since it doesn't use a Centronics interface... I'll have to use my MPS-1250 instead. ;)
@@LeftoverBeefcake Of course, you can modify this project to work with it, assuming if you can get the specs for it -- the pinouts, electrical signals, etc. I lost all of my old printers long ago, and of course none of them would've come with me to Europe. So now I have a laser printer. Cheap as sin -- for the printer. They make all of their money off the cartdriges these days.
vt100 with Linux PC very easy if you have motherboard with a serial port and match settings it works awesome! Terminal window on REAL TERMINAL! Terminal from 1980 has no problem with Linux PC via serial I can actually control anything on it command line but this is LINUX and it is a terminal lol...
Since it's just USB-C, this would make a great module for the Framework Laptop!
Yes indeed
The manuals for 1980's printers were great. Contained everything you need to know to interface with and drive them. Often the manuals were basically almost datasheets as well as user manuals.
and I'm very happy that I have the manual for this printer!
Since you are using an ESP, couldn't you just do serial over Bluetooth or WiFi ?
Hey don't spoil the next video!!
I thought the same thing. 🤫
I love these old connectors with the screw fasteners. I've been wanting to incorporate them into a project for ages but haven't gotten around to it yet... So much nostalgia!
i have so many of those for the exact same reason...
Next video on USB to SCSI adapter for tape drivers.
Oh that's not trivial might need done investigation.
Next step: a print server!
hm....
THIS IS WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT!
Exactly
I got caught out by a datasheet with VCC and GND reversed on the pinout. Had to cut the traces and solder bodge wires to fix the polarity.
Oh the memories...
Neat project! Those switches get me every time 😠
Hehehe
Bu kadar basit mi görüyorsun öğçğ
Öl
Switch happens!!
Great video thanks for your time and work.
Thanks for watching and commenting!
The Switch Heard around the world.
the difficult part is to print graphics...
I wasn't prepared to open that can of worms yet.
Serialgang!
Oh yeah
Let's see...
I have a Panasonic 2135 color dot-matrix printer (bought it new back when the world was young) and plenty of ribbons for it.
I have an Okimate 20 (or is it 10? the PC compatible version) with a couple ribbons for it, need to get some thermal fax paper while I still can, though.
I have a Gorilla Banana 7-pin printer I bought specifically because it's a PC version of the CBM 1525... and I _loved_ the no-descender printouts of that thing. I've got 2 ribbons for it... they were hard to get.
And I have a Tandy CGP-115 plotter, with lots of pens (most of which are probably dried-out :( )
I would love it if I could interface any of these old fellows up to my modern computers. Especially wirelessly!
Okidata printers do not die!
Serialgang! Neat project.
thanks
Would it not be easier to use a USB to Centronics adapter connected to a raspberry pi that is set up as a print server?
I'm pretty sure CUPS already has tonnes of drivers for legacy printers such as dot matrix or daisywheel but if not, writing one for CUPS might actually prove to be more useful. A CUPS driver could allow an array of different devices to work with the printer such as phones, smart TVs, consoles, etc, and also over Wifi or Ethernet.
There are plenty ways to skin a cat. I got 3 of these adapters and none of them work with Any of my printers.
A pi in the mix would need zine zo boot, while this is instantly active. And fir the wifi stuff and so on you should keep an eye open for a following project.
@@MAYERMAKES I completely agree, was just wondering if it was a route you considered.
Also certainly agree printer adapters can be very hit or miss. I was lucky when I bought my second hand LaserJet 4L that the adapter the previous owner included works flawlessly with it and my Pi, it still blows me a away that not only can I use a printer from like 1992 as my normal printer, but also I can print to it from my modern smartphone.
Definitely going to be keeping an eye out for more projects though, gotta admit I am very tempted to try and get hold of a Dot Matrix printer myself :)
"Serialgang" Here. Before PS2 ports, serial mouse was common. Especially in early days of DOS.
I'd rather put the centronics connector on the board itself to avoidu using that big parallel cable ... so it can be directly on the back of the printer and use only usb cable to connect to it.
The trouble with that is finding a suitable connector.
Can't wait to JTAG something from my phone
Just needs the right driver.
Anyone watching this has got to be a tech with a sense of humour like me
true
the arduino works and can easy support different printers. but if you wand a simple solution wch-ic makes a USB to Parallel/printer ic the CH341 makes it a easy single chip intergration.
you can buy already made cable from smartphone to printer adapter.
i have several of these cables and none of them worked. a single chip solution is simple, but not freely programmable, which is important for my further project ideas.
so with the wifi, you could make it a network printer? I like that...
hehehe...it might be worth checking my instagram...
Here is my serialgang for you!
Thaaano you
Yeah
If you're going to use an ESP, you might as well make it wireless!
there is another episode where I implemented that.
Serialgang
Whoop whoop!
I am currently trying to figure out how to run a dos based eeprom programmer on android in dosbox or something else that can run dos and be able to connect to the programmer which has a db25 port. Would this be possible or can you help figure out how to do it?
Consider asking fellow engineers and makers on the e14 community: bit.ly/3FfHazj
Serialgang ! #serialgang ! #serial #gang :-]
tripple the fun!
@@MAYERMAKES You are doing an amazing job here! Keep up the good work! Two ( I wish I had more... ) thumbs up!
Most definitely serial gang...
Whoop whoop
I still have serial mice. Two "Cutie" mice still in original packaging, and a 2 button microsoft mouse I use with my win98 box, plus a serial trackball I use with my Toshiba T5200 laptop. I've also other serial-based pointing devices. #serialgang
that is cute but my hp 8200 sff has a real uart chip and other pc motherboards do too and under linux it is native stuff parallel port and serial but native I can connect a REAL VT100 terminal to my PC via serial on linux and it's a terminal $ umm what do you want to do
real parallel port printing from Linux and connect an old school real terminal via serial port I LOVE Linux. You can connect a real terminal from the 70's up via serial Linux is UNIX based oh it will work just get the settings right and Linux has parallel printer drivers and other things especially with a fast UART real parallel port motherboard it's fantastic!
SerialGang.
Allright!!
Seems it would be more cost effective to just buy a modern printer. Then you can connect to it thru WiFi. Well, I know. You do it just to do it. It's there. Same reason they climb mountains. :D
Good luck finding the spocket-fed paper. Or the ribbons.
The ribbons are still made and available, this model is still not that old.i hit another one that has thecsorocket adapter. It's just not the same with ink jet or laser, and for done tasks they are faster. +I love the sound.
@@piisfun I have, but they are rare and usually used as plotters.
I have a Commodore MPS-803 printer from the 1980's that still works and uses single sheets of paper. I use it to print out monthly calendars. I was able to find "new old stock" ribbons and even revived the old ribbon with some WD-40. Unfortunately I can't use this project with the 803 since it doesn't use a Centronics interface... I'll have to use my MPS-1250 instead. ;)
@@LeftoverBeefcake Of course, you can modify this project to work with it, assuming if you can get the specs for it -- the pinouts, electrical signals, etc.
I lost all of my old printers long ago, and of course none of them would've come with me to Europe. So now I have a laser printer. Cheap as sin -- for the printer. They make all of their money off the cartdriges these days.
they have modern wifi dot-matrix printers?
vt100 with Linux PC very easy if you have motherboard with a serial port and match settings it works awesome! Terminal window on REAL TERMINAL! Terminal from 1980 has no problem with Linux PC via serial I can actually control anything on it command line but this is LINUX and it is a terminal lol...