Digital BW, The Print

In a message dated 3/7/02 3:31:56 PM, 
DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com writes:

<< 

From what I have been hearing, Epson is about to announce a new 

7 ink series of printers.  I'm sure hoping this offer is something 

much better than what is available now. I'd be perfectly happy if they 

got rid of the "M" problems.  


It appears that the 7th ink will be grey (possbily all individually  

changeable carts) so we can print B&W without the added grain and 

metamerism seen in the past.  It is also rumored to include roll paper 

and a CDR tray so we can print direct CD labels. 


From what I hear, we will all know more by mid-April. (the release 

date in Japan) but I have not heard when it will be available in the 

US.


Greg

 >>

This is all correct, I was invited to a focus group in NYC about 1 month ago. 
It turned out to be for Epson. They revealed the printer being mentioned, it 
still needed work. the samples they showed were not impressive, to me who 
uses a 1270. The seven color printer is pigment based. They claim it will be 
optimized for Better greyscale, but the samples they showed were solarized 
looking , not good on glossy paper etc.However they told us it was a workin 
progress. They were also showing us samples of new papers on the horizon . 
Color prints on some the Matte papers looked good but to my Eyes not as good 
as 1270 or 1280. It was a big kind of ugly printer. Print speeds will be 
faster and all colors are individual cartidges with what they claim as 
archival properties. The CD printer feature is interesting.They were trying 
to get a sense of where to price the printer and what was more important 
longevity or ultimate print Quality and econmic operation. It seemed to many 
at the group that the aim was not ultimate quality, pobably not going to 
exceed  1280 quality. But they told us not to assume anything. I asked if it 
was a replacement for 2000. They again said dont assume anything. Anyway was 
interesting to get a first hand look get some free snacks and make $150 all 
at the same time. Bye the way Iam using Lyson Quad Blacks with my 1270. Small 
gamut is on order for ever. I like the QUAD  but you have to gear your paper 
choice to lite source. I get great nuetral in tugsten light with epson 
HWMatte. but it is greenish cyan in daylight or 
flourescent. I have made great prints on many glossy and semi glossy papers 
bu t most under tunsten are a bit red or magenta. After playing around with 
various profiles I found once you find the right paper driver settings for a 
particular paper eg. glossy film etc. I print with no profile and make minor 
adjustments in Epson driver,  + -contrast, brt.I usaully change the Gamma to 
.90 in photshop for most papers. Iget beautiful linear grey scale no 
poserization ,great Dmax. It takes a little experimentation but then I save 
it as a custom setting in the epson driver. I would like more Lyson users to 
respond to this group.  I feel like a Bastard child. Cant wait to try the 
SMall Gamut . I use the lyson reprogrammer device to reset and reuse the 
chips.  thanks Evan