#Epson Stylus Color
7 messages in this thread
Andres: For right now, I purchased the Epson Color drive from Endicor
Technologies, so I'll see how that works out. It looks like a pretty nice
driver:
* Standard Amiga Workbench printer driver
* Supports resolutions up to 720 x 720 dpi
* Optional MicroWeave for reduced banding
* Density correction for 720 dpi helps to
prevent images from printing too dark.
* Implements "White Space" Stripping and
Epson Mode 2 compression (TIFF packbits)
for faster printing.
* Optional Bidirectional mode for faster
printing.
* StylusColor preferences program for
controls.
If anyone is interested in this driver, give Endicor a call at
210-650-4988. They have a support BBS as well so that registered users can
download the latest version. I can't vouch for the quality of the driver
yet because my printer is still on backorder, so I'll give a better report
on the driver later.
// John (Warp 4040 & Emplant Quadra 840)
\X/ Mercury@ins.infonet.net
Boy, is this Epson Stylus color printer great! I just got it yesterday and
I was totally blown away with the quality of the printout at 720 DPI. A
friend of mine has a HP DJ-560C and he is going to sell it and get a Epson
<g>. In fact, the quality is so good I would not be afraid to scan a
printed image and you would have a hard time telling it was not from a
photograph. You do have to experiment and get the Gamma correction set
properly for a image or it will print way too dark, but after a little
experimentation I've gotten some darn nice prints. The Endicor driver I
mentioned does a pretty good job and the next version is suppose to have
color calibration capability so what you see on screen should be what you
get on the printout.
So what about Wolf's Studio V2 software? Is it a stand-alone program
specifically for printing images? Is it a normal Amiga printer driver?
Maybe some of you can fill me in on what exactly the program can do and
it's capabilities.
// John (Warp 4040 & Emplant Quadra 840)
\X/ Mercury@ins.infonet.net
John,
the Studio II package is a collection of drivers AND a stand-alone
program. The Studio program allows you to print graphics directly from
disk files, with no intervening program. The program features a color
matching system, a ton of optimized profiles for every type of printer and
paper, and a wide variety of screens and dither patterns. There are
controls (both in the drivers and the Studio program) for every
conceivable type of correction – all colors, gamma, brightness, contrast,
ink color correction, etc, etc etc.
The fact that it comes with a 200+ page manual will give you SOME idea of
its depth. There are optimized drivers for almost every printer
available.
Gary
on AutoPilot from Charlotte, NC
Gary: Well then the Studio II package sounds like something I need to get
for my color Stylus. I believe it is being distributed by Noaji's (sp?)
correct? Do you know if any of the mail order companies are selling the
product? And finally, does it have the drivers specifically for the Epson
Color Stylus?
// John (Warp 4040 & Emplant Quadra 840)
\X/ Mercury@ins.infonet.net
John,
Yes, Noahji's is distributing Studio II (303-499-1975). I think Safe
Harbor and others are selling mail order. And yes, it has drivers, and
CMS profiles specially designed just for the Color Stylus.
One other resource – a preferences style driver, just for the Color stylus
is available from these folks for around $50.00.
Endicor Technologies, Inc.
P.O. Box 29000 #355
San Antonio, Texas 78229
USA
Internet: info@endicor.com
Phone: (210) 650-4988
FAX: As above
Gary
on AutoPilot from Charlotte, NC
Thanks for the info on Studio-II software Gary. I purchased the drivers
from Endicor and it seem to work fairly well with the color Stylus. The
next version they say that will be out soon (1.2) will have color
calibration software so that it should be easier to get more accurate
printing. But right now I just use about 80-90% Gamma correction with
ADPro and that seems to do pretty well at printing images in 720 DPI mode.
// John (Warp 4040 & Emplant Quadra 840)
\X/ Mercury@ins.infonet.net
John,
the problem with printing 720 dpi on the Stylus is not easy. First, you have to
make sure that not more than 65% ink coverage is printed. Also, you can't print
more than 70 visible shades using a dispersed dither (something you surely
want!?). This requires you to brighten the image dramaticly and VERY precisly.
So getting the right color in the output is something you can't do with a
simple gamma correction and brightness slider… the solution is far beyond
this. So far from what I read from Endicor, I can't say I'm impressed. But it's
the cheapest (not cheap) solution currently arround…
— Wolf Faust, Am Dorfgarten 10, 60435 Frankfurt, Germany —