ACML Posted October 3, 2019 Share Posted October 3, 2019 I love it when I discover something new on the 8-bit. For some time I've understood that Atari's SIO is the father of USB, but when I bought one of Lotharek's SIO Splitters, it really hit home just how true that is. Joe Decuir is one of the patent holders of USB and he credits his SIO as the reference. Atari had USB in 1979. Lotherak's SIO splitter is essentially a USB hub for all intents and purposes. I can plug in a 410, SIO2SD, printer interface and still have room for one more dead end device. You just plug into the computer's SIO port and SIO splitter and you now have a hub for four more SIO devices. Really nice. Why Atari never made one BITD as it requires very little electronics. Lotherek's SIO Splitter is well made and works great. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Robot Posted October 3, 2019 Share Posted October 3, 2019 An earlier iteration of the SIO splitter would be the apelink http://best-electronics-ca.com/8-bit_.htm#SIO2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACML Posted October 3, 2019 Author Share Posted October 3, 2019 44 minutes ago, Mr Robot said: An earlier iteration of the SIO splitter would be the apelink http://best-electronics-ca.com/8-bit_.htm#SIO2 Yes, I saw those, but Lotharek's SIO Splitter is under $20!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dropcheck Posted October 4, 2019 Share Posted October 4, 2019 3 hours ago, ACML said: I love it when I discover something new on the 8-bit. For some time I've understood that Atari's SIO is the father of USB, but when I bought one of Lotharek's SIO Splitters, it really hit home just how true that is. Joe Decuir is one of the patent holders of USB and he credits his SIO as the reference. Atari had USB in 1979. Lotherak's SIO splitter is essentially a USB hub for all intents and purposes. I can plug in a 410, SIO2SD, printer interface and still have room for one more dead end device. You just plug into the computer's SIO port and SIO splitter and you now have a hub for four more SIO devices. Really nice. Why Atari never made one BITD as it requires very little electronics. Lotherek's SIO Splitter is well made and works great. What is that cartridge in the 3rd spot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACML Posted October 4, 2019 Author Share Posted October 4, 2019 29 minutes ago, Dropcheck said: What is that cartridge in the 3rd spot? Don't know. I pulled the photo off the internet to show it being used like a modern USB hub. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JR> Posted October 4, 2019 Share Posted October 4, 2019 (edited) There was also the Quintopus. The deluxe model even had switchable ports. http://www.realdos.net/SIO_Quintopus.html Edited October 4, 2019 by JR> 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Robot Posted October 4, 2019 Share Posted October 4, 2019 1 hour ago, Dropcheck said: What is that cartridge in the 3rd spot? Looks like @TheMontezumas SIO2BT custom SIO backshell. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2331413 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Allan Posted October 4, 2019 Share Posted October 4, 2019 I have one of these. It's great. I'd like to a get a power adapter for it. Anybody have a link to a working adapter in the US? Allan 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SS Posted October 4, 2019 Share Posted October 4, 2019 8 hours ago, Allan said: I'd like to a get a power adapter for it. Anybody have a link to a working adapter in the US? I use one of these with my splitter. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01ISM267G?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Allan Posted October 4, 2019 Share Posted October 4, 2019 9 minutes ago, SS said: I use one of these with my splitter. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01ISM267G?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title Thanks, SS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunstar Posted October 4, 2019 Share Posted October 4, 2019 (edited) I've been using the APElink SIO "hub" for about two decades and love it. I even had it set-up at one point with a switch to use two computers with the same peripherals. But at some point I reverted it back to normal, after I had collected enough peripherals for all my Atari's. Of course Atarimax also sells an ABBUC-produced USB cartridge for full USB 1.1 compatibility. Quite a few drivers for different USB devices have already been made, available through the Atarimax forums. The only reason I don't already own one is I can't use it with my Super SDX cart and MyIDE II cart. We need something similar that still uses the SIO or at least has a pass-thru port: https://www.atarimax.com/usbcart/documentation/ Edited October 4, 2019 by Gunstar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+slx Posted October 4, 2019 Share Posted October 4, 2019 An earlier iteration of the SIO splitter would be the apelink http://best-electronics-ca.com/8-bit_.htm#SIO2 Wow, this was 36.95 $ in 2015.... (Looking at Best’s prices and sold out tags always makes me regret I didn’t order two each of everything in the catalog when I first got it. I think I wasn’t even married then...)Lotharek‘s splitter really is a great deal!Gesendet von iPhone mit Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunstar Posted October 4, 2019 Share Posted October 4, 2019 3 hours ago, slx said: Wow, this was 36.95 $ in 2015.... (Looking at Best’s prices and sold out tags always makes me regret I didn’t order two each of everything in the catalog when I first got it. I think I wasn’t even married then...) Lotharek‘s splitter really is a great deal! Gesendet von iPhone mit Tapatalk I'm glad I bought at least one, back when it was still the original catalog price of $21 for the whole kit. If I need another, it looks like I'll definitely be getting it through Lotharek, especially since I don't deal with Best E. anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACML Posted October 4, 2019 Author Share Posted October 4, 2019 9 hours ago, SS said: I use one of these with my splitter. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01ISM267G?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title Thanks SS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Larry Posted October 5, 2019 Share Posted October 5, 2019 Curious -- could two of Lotharek's SIO Splitters be daisy-chained? Only one would be powered, of course. (I currently have 6 SIO devices to connect.) And BTW, BEST Electronics used to sell a 1-ft. SIO cable that helped greatly with "cord clutter." -Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Robot Posted October 5, 2019 Share Posted October 5, 2019 I don't see any reason why not Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JR> Posted October 5, 2019 Share Posted October 5, 2019 Why does the Lotharek SIO splitter need power? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_The Doctor__ Posted October 5, 2019 Share Posted October 5, 2019 (edited) for those that need more power injected to the sio chain perhaps ;)... Edited October 5, 2019 by _The Doctor__ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SS Posted October 5, 2019 Share Posted October 5, 2019 45 minutes ago, JR> said: Why does the Lotharek SIO splitter need power? It doesn't require power to operate but there is an optional 5V input for when you need it. For example when I try running both my SIO2SD and SDrive-MAX off of SIO power, the SIO2SD display screen becomes very muted so the extra power connection is nice to have. Also, having the splitter powered allows the attached devices to remain on even when the Atari itself is powered down. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Allan Posted October 5, 2019 Share Posted October 5, 2019 2 minutes ago, SS said: Also, having the splitter powered allows the attached devices to remain on even when the Atari itself is powered down. That's why I want it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JR> Posted October 5, 2019 Share Posted October 5, 2019 Cool, that's a very nice feature. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+David_P Posted October 5, 2019 Share Posted October 5, 2019 1 hour ago, JR> said: Why does the Lotharek SIO splitter need power? To run your XM301, of course 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACML Posted October 5, 2019 Author Share Posted October 5, 2019 1 hour ago, SS said: Also, having the splitter powered allows the attached devices to remain on even when the Atari itself is powered down. Wow, that is a nice bonus. Being able to manually select the SIO2SD ATRs while machine is off is an option not available until now. Thanks! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACML Posted October 7, 2019 Author Share Posted October 7, 2019 On 10/4/2019 at 6:20 AM, SS said: I use one of these with my splitter. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01ISM267G?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title Received mine today (via Amazon). Looks like a nicely made PSU. I will try it tonight. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimo Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 That is a really neat solution to the lack of SIO sockets available Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
AtariAge on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Chat on Discord
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.