Is the QL Centronics Printer Interface compatible with the Star LC 10 dot matrix printer?

Question

I have such an item for sale on Ebay and a potential purchaser has asked the question - I can not answer. I used a Serial 8079 dot matrix printer which plugged straight into the QL computer with a different interface. . . . no knowledge of any other ! If you are either (or both) old enough / experienced enough to answer we would both be grateful.
Thank you for your onterest.

Answer 1

I believe the LC10 has a Centronics interface - I recall the LC10 being reviewed in Amstrad Action, and the CPC had a Centronics interface.

I don't know what kind of connector the QL had, if it was one of those game-cartridge like ones (as the CPC had), or a proper one, such as a PC's parallel port. It might be tricky tracking down cables if it's the wrong sort!

The other issue you'll face is that software had to be specially written to take advantage of the LC-10's features, so even with it connected, I'm not sure what use it would be - and colour ribbons aren't re-inkable (Our old dot-matrix must have had a ribbon 3 microns thick the amount we re-inked it).

Anyway, after writing all that, I looked up something on ESC codes to see if I could advise on doing something useful, and found this compatibility page:

http://www.dilwyn.uk6.net/gen/printers/printers.html

I didn't even have QL as a search term, but Google clearly knew what I was thinking!

Answer 2

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