Features
In its simplest form, Covox received 8-bit, mono signal through the parallel port and produced analog output that could be amplified and played back on loudspeakers. Sampling rate was not fixed by hardware means, and theoretically Covox can support any sampling rate. In practice, however, LPT port speed limits make it rather hard to achieve even standard CD-quality 44100 Hz. Another limiting factor compared to real sound cards was the need to use the computationally demanding timer interrupt to play background music, since there was no direct memory access available.
Advanced versions of Covox-like devices featured:
- Printer port forwarding connectors — allowed to plug printer into the Covox and use both (playing audio and printing) without reconnections, although not at the same time. Whenever something is printed, loud noise is created.
- Both DAC and ADC converters;
- ADCs with tiny microphone preamplifiers;
- DACs with amplification;
- Sourcing power from serial port;
- Numerous sound-enhancing (hi-fi) features, like filters or equalizers;
- Stereo capability, either by using two parallel ports or one port with switching using strobe (pin #1) and line feed (pin #14) signals.
Read more about this topic: Covox Speech Thing
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