Digital BW, The Print

Olivier wrote:
>> If the 16 bit is available on the monochrome 
>> setting in the driver (black) then it might even be better 
>> than what is available in normal Windows and OS-X drivers. It 
>> will not have the control QTR offers though.
>>
>> Ernst
>>
> Ernst, would you mind explaining a bit. I would eventually see a 
> theoretical advantage in a 16b dithering, but in practice I'm not sure 
> this would translate into a better physical printing (I'm thinking dot 
> gain, registration, bleeding...not to mention color conversion errors 
> should we print colors, but that's valid for BW with QTR ICCs). What 
> would look like an advantage could end up in just a requirement for 
> more powerful systems to process the larger bit volumes. So far the new 
> Canon has not (to my knowledge) proven superiority from the 16b driver, 
> but I didn't dig deep into the matter. I just tend to assume the large 
> number of inks available calls for hi-bit processing to adress them. 
> What are your thoughts on it ? 
> 
> Olivier

In practice it will not bring much quality difference with 
today's printers. But the verdict on the new Canon models 
isn't ready yet. Epson brings new archival dye (Claria) models 
with 6 inks, 5 droplet sizes, so it could be time there's more 
than only 16 bit tables in 8 bit printer drivers. HP will have 
new wide format models on the Photokina with head technology 
similar to Canon's new printers. A 16 bit driver doesn't make 
8 bit files unusable either. I got the impression that 
Gutenprint was not considered a serious alternative in the 
replies, I do not share that opinion.

Ernst


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           Ernst Dinkla


www.pigment-print.com
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