Digital BW, The Print

Just to let you know, I have now re-installed the driver on one of 
my 1290 printers with the US 1280 version.

The prints using UT2 are much better than with the 1290 driver.  I 
guess the mechanics of the printers are very similar and just the 
software alogithms differ.

Compared to my numerous attempts with VM inks using 1280 and 1290 
curves, the UT1 inks and 1280 curves, UT2 inks with 1280 curves - I 
am now getting cleaner, bronzing free and smooth prints.

It is a very easy process and I would recommend any of the 1290 
users to give it a go (you can switch back to the 1290 driver in the 
printer settings at any time...)

Steve

Steve, I have being doing some work with Paul on this issue.  I am 
going to download the drivers and try some test prints this 
afternoon, although I have not had any problems with the prints on my 
1290 and UT2.  Then again I have not had anything to compare them to, 
other than my UT1 prints!

Cheers

Gareth

Ca--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "scrber" 
<stephen.bate@m...> wrote:
> Just to let you know, I have now re-installed the driver on one of 
> my 1290 printers with the US 1280 version.
> 
> The prints using UT2 are much better than with the 1290 driver.  I 
> guess the mechanics of the printers are very similar and just the 
> software alogithms differ.
> 
> Compared to my numerous attempts with VM inks using 1280 and 1290 
> curves, the UT1 inks and 1280 curves, UT2 inks with 1280 curves - I 
> am now getting cleaner, bronzing free and smooth prints.
> 
> It is a very easy process and I would recommend any of the 1290 
> users to give it a go (you can switch back to the 1290 driver in 
the 

> printer settings at any time...)
> 
> Steve

I was also ahppy with the 1290 driver, the ramps I sent to Paul 
looked OK except for the dark sepia ones.  I also got bronzing with 
Ilford papers, Pauls ramps didn't show this so I KNEW there was a 
difference.
Steve Taylor had gone straight for 1280 drivers and was happy.  I 
thought that, as they were switchable, I'd try the two back to back 
(I've also got several 1290s).  The results are clearly better in 
terms of tonality and linearity.  The bronzing is gone and on Ilford 
smooth the prints are gobsmacking!

regards
Steve


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Gareth" 
<g.loc@o...> wrote:
> Steve, I have being doing some work with Paul on this issue.  I am 
> going to download the drivers and try some test prints this 
> afternoon, although I have not had any problems with the prints on 
my 
> 1290 and UT2.  Then again I have not had anything to compare them 
to, 
> other than my UT1 prints!
> 
> Cheers
> 
> Gareth
> 
> Ca--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "scrber" 
> <stephen.bate@m...> wrote:
> > Just to let you know, I have now re-installed the driver on one 
of 
> > my 1290 printers with the US 1280 version.
> > 
> > The prints using UT2 are much better than with the 1290 driver.  
I 
> > guess the mechanics of the printers are very similar and just 
the 
> > software alogithms differ.
> > 
> > Compared to my numerous attempts with VM inks using 1280 and 
1290 
> > curves, the UT1 inks and 1280 curves, UT2 inks with 1280 curves -
 I 

> > am now getting cleaner, bronzing free and smooth prints.
> > 
> > It is a very easy process and I would recommend any of the 1290 
> > users to give it a go (you can switch back to the 1290 driver in 
> the 
> > printer settings at any time...)
> > 
> > Steve

I have done same printing onto EAM using four permutations - NCA, 
Colour Adjust-Auto, 1280 and 1290.  The results can be seen at 
http://www.imagesoflife.co.uk/full-analysis.jpg 

NCA prints on the left, 1280 prints along the top.

I have yet to print some of my own 'real' test images to see how they 
come out but looking at the wedges I probably won't have to add the 
extra contrast curve I currently do when printing UT2s.

Thanks for the suggestion

Gareth

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "scrber" 
<stephen.bate@m...> wrote:
> I was also ahppy with the 1290 driver, the ramps I sent to Paul 
> looked OK except for the dark sepia ones.  I also got bronzing with 
> Ilford papers, Pauls ramps didn't show this so I KNEW there was a 
> difference.
> Steve Taylor had gone straight for 1280 drivers and was happy.  I 
> thought that, as they were switchable, I'd try the two back to back 
> (I've also got several 1290s).  The results are clearly better in 
> terms of tonality and linearity.  The bronzing is gone and on 
Ilford 
> smooth the prints are gobsmacking!
> 
> regards
> Steve
> 
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Gareth" 
> <g.loc@o...> wrote:
> > Steve, I have being doing some work with Paul on this issue.  I 
am 
> > going to download the drivers and try some test prints this 
> > afternoon, although I have not had any problems with the prints 
on 
> my 
> > 1290 and UT2.  Then again I have not had anything to compare them 
> to, 
> > other than my UT1 prints!
> > 
> > Cheers
> > 
> > Gareth
> > 
> > Ca--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "scrber" 
> > <stephen.bate@m...> wrote:
> > > Just to let you know, I have now re-installed the driver on one 
> of 
> > > my 1290 printers with the US 1280 version.
> > > 
> > > The prints using UT2 are much better than with the 1290 
driver.  
> I 
> > > guess the mechanics of the printers are very similar and just 
> the 
> > > software alogithms differ.
> > > 
> > > Compared to my numerous attempts with VM inks using 1280 and 
> 1290 
> > > curves, the UT1 inks and 1280 curves, UT2 inks with 1280 
curves -
>  I 
> > > am now getting cleaner, bronzing free and smooth prints.
> > > 
> > > It is a very easy process and I would recommend any of the 1290 
> > > users to give it a go (you can switch back to the 1290 driver 
in 

> > the 
> > > printer settings at any time...)
> > > 
> > > Steve

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Gareth" 
<g.loc@o...> wrote:
> I have done same printing onto EAM using four permutations - NCA, 
> Colour Adjust-Auto, 1280 and 1290.  The results can be seen at 
> http://www.imagesoflife.co.uk/full-analysis.jpg 


I suffered - yet another -  crash on my Win2k system (HDD containing 
system and program files only)  last week and colleagues got me back 
on track.  However loads of files were lost/corrupted.  

{As an aside that may be useful to some, I like a print to have wider 
margins at the bottom than at the top and so use many custom print 
sizes.  I did not know where to find these settings and Epson UK 
advised that the "Custom Paper Size File extension … can be
found 
under the following path:
D:\Program files\EPSON\EPSON stylus ( printer model )
( Where D is the drive where Windows 2000 is installed ) 
An example of the file that may be within the folder is 
E_DD02JE.UCF. "] 

To get to the point!

As no printers were available and all had to be reinstalled,  I 
decided to load first one 1290 with UT2 on continuous flow using the 
conventional printer port so that I could subsequently load the other 
1290, which uses a continuous flow with colour inks, and not get the 
printers confused in Win 2k.

The 1280 on 1290 loading process failed to install many of files, 
many of which appear to be printer monitor GIF files.  Every time I 
switch the printer on it asks for "xxx..dll"'s and the rest,
so I 
cancel the operation.  Bit of a pain but the printer works.  Maybe 
they are files for the status monitor?

I used Pettit's 100 step wedge (modified so that all adjacent
tones 
are adjacent when printed).  They looked good to me although there 
are clear steps in two or three places, differing depending on the 
curves used.

I did some prints and am very pleased.  For a recent birthday, 
colleagues bought me book of photos taken by Edward List (Magnum) in 
the thirties of ancient Greek monuments.  They have a lovely burnt 
umber/chocolate hue.  I found the dark sepia on EEM too rich for my 
taste and just played about.  I have the curves as an action and 
found, after a bit of fiddling, that > edit > fade 50% was very close 
to what I wanted for one image, and this was even better when done on 
Photorag.  I also like the carbon curves, but am experiencing some 
roller issues. This may be because of using the printer port, which 
is painfully slow.

In conclusion I'm thrilled and eagerly await the promised 1290 
curves, Paul, when you have time, or, alternatively, advice on how to 
have two 1290 printers operating using USB through the same hub as 
before, but one using the 1280 and the other the 1290 printer systems.

Cheers,

Colin

Hi Colin - I don't get this entirely.  I have two 1290 printers 
running on one machine, and a third through my home network onto 
another machine (all on USB both PCs running XP pro).  I only have 
one of these printers using the 1280 driver.  You must not have the 
Status Monitor installed.
In the printers advanced setting tab, you can choose the driver for 
each printer.  Providing you have both sets of software installed, 
this should be switchable.  Did you re-install the 1290 printer 
software first and THEN upgrade to the 1280 - if not, this could be 
the problem.
Otherwise, try the actual printer settings in control panel, set the 
one to use the 1290 driver and the other to use the 1280 driver.  

Let me know how you get on.

Steve


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "colingruk" 
<colin.conway@b...> wrote:
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Gareth" 
> <g.loc@o...> wrote:
> > I have done same printing onto EAM using four permutations - NCA, 
> > Colour Adjust-Auto, 1280 and 1290.  The results can be seen at 
> > http://www.imagesoflife.co.uk/full-analysis.jpg 
> 
> 
> I suffered - yet another -  crash on my Win2k system (HDD 
containing 
> system and program files only)  last week and colleagues got me 
back 
> on track.  However loads of files were lost/corrupted.  
> 
> {As an aside that may be useful to some, I like a print to have 
wider 
> margins at the bottom than at the top and so use many custom print 
> sizes.  I did not know where to find these settings and Epson UK 
> advised that the "Custom Paper Size File extension 
 can be
> found 
> under the following path:
> D:\Program files\EPSON\EPSON stylus ( printer model )
> ( Where D is the drive where Windows 2000 is installed ) 
> An example of the file that may be within the folder is 
> E_DD02JE.UCF. "] 
> 
> To get to the point!
> 
> As no printers were available and all had to be reinstalled,  I 
> decided to load first one 1290 with UT2 on continuous flow using 
the 
> conventional printer port so that I could subsequently load the 
other 
> 1290, which uses a continuous flow with colour inks, and not get 
the 
> printers confused in Win 2k.
> 
> The 1280 on 1290 loading process failed to install many of files, 
> many of which appear to be printer monitor GIF files.  Every time I 
> switch the printer on it asks for "xxx..dll"'s and the rest,
> so I 
> cancel the operation.  Bit of a pain but the printer works.  Maybe 
> they are files for the status monitor?
> 
> I used Pettit's 100 step wedge (modified so that all adjacent
> tones 
> are adjacent when printed).  They looked good to me although there 
> are clear steps in two or three places, differing depending on the 
> curves used.
> 
> I did some prints and am very pleased.  For a recent birthday, 
> colleagues bought me book of photos taken by Edward List (Magnum) 
in 
> the thirties of ancient Greek monuments.  They have a lovely burnt 
> umber/chocolate hue.  I found the dark sepia on EEM too rich for my 
> taste and just played about.  I have the curves as an action and 
> found, after a bit of fiddling, that > edit > fade 50% was very 
close 
> to what I wanted for one image, and this was even better when done 
on 
> Photorag.  I also like the carbon curves, but am experiencing some 
> roller issues. This may be because of using the printer port, which 
> is painfully slow.
> 
> In conclusion I'm thrilled and eagerly await the promised 1290 
> curves, Paul, when you have time, or, alternatively, advice on how 
to 
> have two 1290 printers operating using USB through the same hub as 
> before, but one using the 1280 and the other the 1290 printer 
systems.

> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Colin

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "scrber" 
<stephen.bate@m...> wrote:
> Hi Colin - I don't get this entirely.  I have two 1290 printers 
> running on one machine, and a third through my home network onto 
> another machine (all on USB both PCs running XP pro).  I only have 
> one of these printers using the 1280 driver.  You must not have the 
> Status Monitor installed.
> In the printers advanced setting tab, you can choose the driver for 
> each printer.  Providing you have both sets of software installed, 
> this should be switchable.  Did you re-install the 1290 printer 
> software first and THEN upgrade to the 1280 - if not, this could be 
> the problem.
> Otherwise, try the actual printer settings in control panel, set 
the 
> one to use the 1290 driver and the other to use the 1280 driver.  
> 
> Let me know how you get on.
> 
> Steve
> 

Hi, Steve,

Looks as if I was trying to be too clever by half.  I just thought it 
would not be possible to load the colour 1290 with 1290 software 
through the same hub and then the UT2 1290 without it automatically 
loading the 1290 drivers.  I loasded the UT2 1290 first with the 1280 
drivers and then the colour 1290.  I'm looking forward to trying it, 
if the dentist doesn't give me too much grief, tonight.

I will first remove the status monitors on both printers and switch 
off then disconnect the parallel port lead, reconnect the USB and 
switch on the UT2 1290.

If the found new hardware wizard pops and gives me the option, I'll 
load the 1280 software, otherwise try to change it in the advanced 
tab.

Thanks for your prompt response.

Colin

I would try it the other way around.
If, after your PC crash, you lost the 1290 software.
Re-install your printers as normal, with the 1290 software.

THEN, when all is running OK, add the 1280 driver from the US site.
Then you can switch between it and the 1290 version for either 
printer.

Hope it runs OK...

Steve


> Hi, Steve,
> 
> Looks as if I was trying to be too clever by half.  I just thought 
it 
> would not be possible to load the colour 1290 with 1290 software 
> through the same hub and then the UT2 1290 without it automatically 
> loading the 1290 drivers.  I loasded the UT2 1290 first with the 
1280 
> drivers and then the colour 1290.  I'm looking forward to trying 
it, 

> if the dentist doesn't give me too much grief, tonight.
> 
> I will first remove the status monitors on both printers and switch 
> off then disconnect the parallel port lead, reconnect the USB and 
> switch on the UT2 1290.
> 
> If the found new hardware wizard pops and gives me the option, I'll 
> load the 1280 software, otherwise try to change it in the advanced 
> tab.
> 
> Thanks for your prompt response.
> 
> Colin

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "scrber" 
<stephen.bate@m...> wrote:
> I would try it the other way around.
> If, after your PC crash, you lost the 1290 software.
> Re-install your printers as normal, with the 1290 software.
> 
> THEN, when all is running OK, add the 1280 driver from the US site.
> Then you can switch between it and the 1290 version for either 
> printer.
> 
> Hope it runs OK...
> 
> Steve
> 
All printers were up and running last night, it's just that the UT2 
1290 is painfully slow.

Will let you know tomorrow if I had a go at it.

Colin

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "scrber" 
<stephen.bate@m...> wrote:
> I would try it the other way around.
> If, after your PC crash, you lost the 1290 software.
> Re-install your printers as normal, with the 1290 software.
> 
> THEN, when all is running OK, add the 1280 driver from the US site.
> Then you can switch between it and the 1290 version for either 
> printer.
> 
> Hope it runs OK...


Dear Colin,

If you are still not up and running, I have some experience in 
running multiple Epsons. I don't think you should have any problems 
doing what you want to do. 

I work for Epson selling printers in a "Big Box" computer store as 
well as merchandising a group of office stores. In the computer 
store, they have a demo setup that consists 27 Epsons, HPs and Canons 
all hooked to one computer through a maze of USB cables and hubs. 
The computer is available to the general public so the opportunities 
for operator error and/or malicious actions are substantial. In 
addition, the cables are run through the inventory storage space, so 
accidental disconnections are common. The result is a regular loss of 
printer communications and drivers. 

The system runs WinXP pro, which is quite similar to Win2000. If the 
mess described above works, your running 2 printers should be simple. 
You could use the Parallel port for one of them, but I find USB to be 
both faster and more consistent at finding specific hardware. Each 
machine has a unique identifier to help the USB/drivers system locate 
it so I think it unlikely either would be mistaken for the other.

First, If your OS crash was so bad that it took out OS related 
functions like printer drivers, you might want to consider how far 
the damage extended and perhaps renew the whole system instead just 
dealing with the printer drivers.

Assuming you don't reload, I would start by removing all printer 
drivers from the computer using the add/remove programs function. I 
would also physically delete all the files in the printer directories 
to make sure you get a clean install. If, and ONLY IF you are 
comfortable navigating the registry, I would also delete all 
references to Epson from the Registry. Obviously if you have Epson 
scanners, etc. you will either have to be careful here, or reinstall 
their drivers as well.

As far as which to install first, not knowing the details of the 
custom driver or how aggressive it is, I am not sure which to do 
first. If the custom driver is an add-on to the factory driver, 
clearly the factory driver must be loaded first. In that case, I 
would install that machine first, then connect the second one and 
reinstall the facory drivers for that one.

If they are independent, I would install the one I most wanted to use 
last, so if it wrote over both installations, I could still get what 
I want right away. Alternatively, I would install the factory drivers 
last because they are generally good about respecting previous 
installations of the same type of printer.

For example, if some one sells a demo printer that has been 
installed, its drivers will not drive an identical replacement 
because the serial number is not the same. Therefore you have to 
reinstall the driver software.  I have seen as many as 8 
installations of the same type of printer. Deleting the unused ones 
does not change the functional one. Usually the last one is the one 
to keep. 

Other issues involve the OS "losing" the printers. This is a USB 
issue generally caused by disconnecting and reconnectiong the cables. 
A reboot usually fixes that. Swapping cables can cause problems, 
especially if done while powered. Powering up the computer with only 
one of the printers attached can cause problems for the printer 
driver finding the printer. Check the port assignments and correct as 
needed.

I hope this is useful. It applies to those of you running multiple 
printers of all kinds, mixed or not. 

Most of this has been learned on the spot, not through official Epson 
technical information, so there may be considerations I have missed. 
However, I have been maintaining the system for over a year and most 
of the time, all the printers are capable of providing a 
demonstration.

It has been a tremendous amount of fun having part of my job consist 
of making the most beautiful prints I can from every printer in the 
line using supplied ink and paper.  Unfortunately, I am stuck with 
the black options of the standard printers, though a stock R800 and 
Stylus2200 are not too bad in that department.



bmaytum

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "brianmaytum" 
<bmaytum2000@m...> wrote:

> Dear Colin,
> 
> If you are still not up and running, I have some experience in 
> running multiple Epsons. I don't think you should have any problems 
> doing what you want to do. 
> 
> I work for Epson selling printers in a "Big Box" computer store as 
> well as merchandising a group of office stores. In the computer 
> store, they have a demo setup that consists 27 Epsons, HPs and 
Canons 
> all hooked to one computer through a maze of USB cables and hubs. 
> The computer is available to the general public so the 
opportunities 
> for operator error and/or malicious actions are substantial. In 
> addition, the cables are run through the inventory storage space, 
so 
> accidental disconnections are common. The result is a regular loss 
of 
> printer communications and drivers. 
> 
> The system runs WinXP pro, which is quite similar to Win2000. If 
the 
> mess described above works, your running 2 printers should be 
simple. 
> You could use the Parallel port for one of them, but I find USB to 
be 
> both faster and more consistent at finding specific hardware. Each 
> machine has a unique identifier to help the USB/drivers system 
locate 
> it so I think it unlikely either would be mistaken for the other.
> 
> First, If your OS crash was so bad that it took out OS related 
> functions like printer drivers, you might want to consider how far 
> the damage extended and perhaps renew the whole system instead just 
> dealing with the printer drivers.
> 
> Assuming you don't reload, I would start by removing all printer 
> drivers from the computer using the add/remove programs function. I 
> would also physically delete all the files in the printer 
directories 
> to make sure you get a clean install. If, and ONLY IF you are 
> comfortable navigating the registry, I would also delete all 
> references to Epson from the Registry. Obviously if you have Epson 
> scanners, etc. you will either have to be careful here, or 
reinstall 
> their drivers as well.
> 
> As far as which to install first, not knowing the details of the 
> custom driver or how aggressive it is, I am not sure which to do 
> first. If the custom driver is an add-on to the factory driver, 
> clearly the factory driver must be loaded first. In that case, I 
> would install that machine first, then connect the second one and 
> reinstall the facory drivers for that one.
> 
> If they are independent, I would install the one I most wanted to 
use 
> last, so if it wrote over both installations, I could still get 
what 
> I want right away. Alternatively, I would install the factory 
drivers 
> last because they are generally good about respecting previous 
> installations of the same type of printer.
> 
> For example, if some one sells a demo printer that has been 
> installed, its drivers will not drive an identical replacement 
> because the serial number is not the same. Therefore you have to 
> reinstall the driver software.  I have seen as many as 8 
> installations of the same type of printer. Deleting the unused ones 
> does not change the functional one. Usually the last one is the one 
> to keep. 
> 
> Other issues involve the OS "losing" the printers. This is a USB 
> issue generally caused by disconnecting and reconnectiong the 
cables. 
> A reboot usually fixes that. Swapping cables can cause problems, 
> especially if done while powered. Powering up the computer with 
only 
> one of the printers attached can cause problems for the printer 
> driver finding the printer. Check the port assignments and correct 
as 
> needed.
> 
> I hope this is useful. It applies to those of you running multiple 
> printers of all kinds, mixed or not. 
> 
> Most of this has been learned on the spot, not through official 
Epson 
> technical information, so there may be considerations I have 
missed. 
> However, I have been maintaining the system for over a year and 
most 
> of the time, all the printers are capable of providing a 
> demonstration.
> 
> It has been a tremendous amount of fun having part of my job 
consist 
> of making the most beautiful prints I can from every printer in the 
> line using supplied ink and paper.  Unfortunately, I am stuck with 
> the black options of the standard printers, though a stock R800 and 
> Stylus2200 are not too bad in that department.
> 
> 
> 
> bmaytum

Brian, Steve, Gareth,

Yippee!  UT2 1290 using 1280 drivers is up and running – I'm so 
pleased.  I managed to get a lovely, moody print using the carbon 
curve last night as well.  Thanks, Steve.

Thank you too, Brian, for your comprehensive advice – I suspect this 
will interest many list members.  I have kept a copy of what you have 
posted, but which I did not see until this morning at work.  I did 
not try the other printers but will do so tonight.  Assuming they are 
all working I shall probably leave well alone until the Gods do me 
down again. (Is this because I live in Greece and can see Olympus on 
a clear day from my lounge!)

From Saturday I'll be on leave in Blighty until after Easter but, 
after that, if Paul wants info on where the jumps are in Pettit's 
step wedges with my setup, I will try to document and post them, but 
I don't have densitometer.  Whether or not these will mater in real 
images I don't know but, in some cases, I think I would want to open 
up in the 8 or so steps leading up to Dmax.

Awhile back I installed a PCI card with USB 2.  In real life, will 
using this enable materially faster printing than using the USB 1.1. 
socket to which the printers are currently connected?

Thanks again for all your help.

Colin