NeXTstation questions - test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

22 May 2001

On May 22, Marion Bates wrote:
...
  I don't see an ADB port on the unit itself, but
the megapixel has
 one. Does that mean that the computer _requires_ the megapixel display
 in order to be useable at all? Or, in the absence of that monitor, can
 it use one of the other ports (which one?) for a keyboard/mouse? 
  Be careful here...Some NeXTs use ADB and some don't.  And yes, you
need the monitor.

...
  What is the purpose of the "DSP" port? (Two
triangles beside it, one
 pointing up and one down, and the connector is 15-pin) 
  The DSP port didn't have any set purpose.  It's a high-speed
synchronous port with a directt path to the machine's DSP chip.  It's
been used for many things including high-quality video and audio I/O
and stuff like that.  I've seen many home-brew lab experiments using
that port also, both in personal applications as well as in
laboratories.  One popular application involved building an interface
to connecting a glove-like input device (PowerGlove or something like
that) to the DSP port and use it for virtual-reality-like
experimentation.

...
  Which port(s), if any, are LocalTalk-able? I see two
mini-din serial
 ports (labeled A and B) and one old-fasioned 9-pin connector with a
 picture of a laserprinter. 
  An "old-fashioned" 9-pin connector...I got a good chuckle out of
that. ;)

...
  Last thing -- what are the specs on these, or where
can I find that
 out? 
  Those serial ports use the same pinouts as Macs and Sun IPC/IPX
machines.

        -Dave McGuire