Digital BW, The Print

Mark Hahn wrote:

>first, I read both reviews before buying the 7660 and could not 
>reproduce the published b&w differences between the 7660 and 7960.  
>In my tests the dither pattern was identical.  I used the same cart 
>in both printers.  2 reps at HP also told me that in b&w mode that 
>the 7660 and 7960 are identical, the driver update only affected the 
>color performance (and I've only made 2 color prints with my 7660 and 
>was happy enough with both). 
>
which, when used that way,  effectively makes it a dedicated B&W 
printer, especially since you cannot turn off the color management..

> There are certain tones and patterns 
>that cause the 7660 to fail (ie. the dither pattern becomes 
>noticable), but it hasn't limited my serious use of the printer or my 
>confidence in showing the prints that I make from it, but the Epson 
>dither pattern is definitely nicer.  Shadow block up has not been 
>much of a problem for me either and compared to my 1160+MIS VM I am 
>happier with shadow detail from the HP. 
>
I can say this.. If I send the EXACT same image to the 7660, a 1270 with 
VM or VM-S, and a 1280 with UT2, UNLESS I change the contrast setting in 
the 7660 driver, or specifically balance my monitor to replicate the 
7660 B&W output,  I get blocking of my shadows. 


> I also find that the HP 
>handles smooth gradients much more precisely.  The Epson handles 
>highlights much better than the HP though mainly because that is 
>where the HP dither pattern breaks down. 
>
>Both systems have their strengths and it simplistic at best to say 
>that one is better than the other for all users.
>  
>
I didn't say any one printer was best for all users... However, there is 
no valid reason why the HP 7660 defaults should increase the contrast 
of  a B&W  image when printing it.  What I see on a a calibrated and 
profiled monitor should be what I get on output..  That happens with the 
1270 and 1280.. on the 7660 it doesn't...

Nor is there any reason for not enabling the disabling of driver color 
management...

Or for the fact that the antique and sepia print options are available 
only if you are printing directly from memory cards/media inserted in 
the printer, but not if you print from an attached computer..

> 
>I have been making excellent prints on my HP (avoiding images that I 
>know it can't handle just as I had to do with my Epson+MIS) and 
>enjoying the absolute lack of clogs.
>  
>
I don't doubt that excellent prints are possible.. What I'm pointing out 
is that the driver is so "dummy proof" and hindering as to be 
unattractive to the prosumer market..  It refuses to "get out of the 
way" so that proper color management can be employed.

The driver added contrast is not acceptable IMHO.


 
Keith Krebs

"Just some guy," caretaker of the Multiverse's largest EPSON printer 
User Community (highly recommended by Vogon Poets and MegaDodo 
Publications), at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EPSON_Printers/
and  the Multiverse's largest Canon printer User  Community at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Canon-printers
"For the rest of you out there, the secret is to bang the rocks together 
guys"