Other Sites
Hitachi Boosts Speed for Industrial-Strength Notebook Hard Drive; Higher Performance Ideal for Desktop-Replacement Systems
Apple Pro Application Support 3.0 (Mac OS X 10.3.9)
Apple Pro Application Support 3.0 (Mac OS X 10.4)
Apple DVD Player 4.6 for OS X 10.4
Toast Titanium 6.1 CD & DVD Burning Software
Bare Bones Software Releases BBEdit 8.2.1
New Pooch v1.6 Taps Tiger, Grid, and Web
HealthCare Management Suite
PENTAX Announces Three New Optio Digital Cameras
Runtime Revolution Announces Second Free Online Conference Line-up Conference to be Presented by Mark Talluto of Canela Software
Toshiba Unveils 45GB HD DVD-ROM Disc and Double-Sided Hybrid Disc
Epson Introduces Product for Fine Art Photography with the New Epson Stylus Photo R2400 and Epson UltraChrome K3 Inks
New Epson Stylus Pro 4800, 7800 and 9800 Ink Jet Printers with New Epson UltraChrome K3 Inks Mark Defining Moment in History of Photography and Professional Graphics
Hitachi Boosts Speed for Industrial-Strength Notebook Hard Drive; Higher Performance Ideal for Desktop-Replacement Systems
Hitachi Global Storage Technologies has set a new notebook performance record, announcing today worldwide availability of the fastest(1) 2.5-inch hard drive for mobile applications. The 7200 RPM Travelstar 7K100 is first to market with desktop-class performance on a 2.5-inch hard drive for notebook systems such as Dell's Inspiron XPS Gen 2 system.
With 100 gigabytes(2) (GB) of storage capacity, the Travelstar 7K100 is bigger, faster and stronger than its award-winning predecessor, creating an industrial-strength notebook hard drive. Hitachi's second-generation 7200 RPM 2.5-inch product offers a 67-percent storage-capacity increase and a 33-percent performance improvement (sustained data transfer rate) over the previous generation. In addition, a 50-percent improvement in operating shock tolerance gives users greater system reliability and data integrity. Within its class, the 7K100 features industry-leading 300 Gs and 1000 Gs operating and non-operating shock specifications, respectively.
"Hitachi created the 7200 RPM notebook hard drive segment in 2003 to give mobile users a performance rush; based on strong demand, we are now bringing an even more powerful product to the market," said Bill Healy, senior vice president, product strategy and marketing, Hitachi Global Storage Technologies. "We've learned much about the 7200 RPM notebook hard drives over the past several years and have applied that experience to create the quintessential performance product."
Users of notebook systems that employ the Travelstar 7K100 as the leading-edge storage component will experience a marked performance improvement in a variety of computing activities: Windows XP start-up, application loading, copying files and general HDD usage (playing an MP3 file, viewing pictures, browsing the Internet, etc.). Hitachi's benchmark testing of the 7K100 during these activities shows a 25-percent faster performance over the fastest competitive 2.5-inch 5400 RPM drive on the market (comparisons were made to 5400 RPM drives as no competitive 7200 RPM 2.5-inch drives were available for testing at time of announcement).
The heightened level of performance, higher capacity and ruggedness on the 7K100 are intended to give greater mobility to power users who have traditionally looked to desktop systems for premium functionality. These include PC gamers, graphic arts designers, digital video editors, computer-aided-design engineers, as well as general users who demand the latest and best that notebook technology has to offer.
The Travelstar 7K100 significantly outperforms competitive notebook hard drives as well as some 3.5-inch desktop drives. In fact, Hitachi benchmark testings have shown as much as a 7-percent faster performance rate when compared against 7200 RPM desktop drives with a 2-megabyte cache.
"The leadership attributes that define the Travelstar 7K100 are indicative of the deep R&D resources we apply to our entire 2.5-inch hard drive product line," Healy added.
As the architect for the performance-focused 7200 RPM 2.5-inch hard drive segment, Hitachi has been working to grow the market and seed acceptance among users. Since mid-2003 when the category was launched, Hitachi has seen a notable shift toward higher-performing notebook systems due to a growing sophistication in the user base and to the aggressive movement to wireless computing. In response, Hitachi is actively planning to support this growth trend and expects to significantly expand its production of 7200 RPM 2.5-inch drives by the end of 2005.
"Notebook computer manufacturers are sensitive to the growing demand for more disk drive performance and capacity, and the Hitachi 7K100 responds to that demand," said John Donovan, vice president, TrendFOCUS. "While the 7200 RPM segment for notebooks is still a relatively small one, Hitachi's continued technology advancements will do much to accelerate the growth of this category."
To provide a broader set of options for customers, Hitachi has increased the number of capacity points in its 7200 RPM offering to 60, 80 and 100 GB. The Travelstar 7K100 PATA model is now shipping to customers worldwide in all capacities. Hitachi will also deliver a SATA version with 1.5 Gbits/second interface transfer rate(3) in July. In addition, an enhanced availability (E7K100) model, offering 24x7 availability for blade server applications, will follow later this summer. All Travelstar 7K100 models are ROHS compliant.
White papers related to Hitachi's hard drive products, including 2.5-inch hard drive technologies, are available at the following web site:
http://www.hitachigst.com/tech/techlib.nsf
Apple Pro Application Support 3.0 (Mac OS X 10.3.9)
This update improves general user interface reliability for Apple’s professional applications. It is recommended for all users of:
-DVD Studio Pro
-Final Cut Pro
-Logic Pro
-Logic Express
-Motion
-Sountrack
System Requirements
— Mac OS X
— OS Version 10.3.9
For more information, visit:
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/proapplicationsupport30macosx1039.html
Apple Pro Application Support 3.0 (Mac OS X 10.4)
This update improves general user interface reliability for Apple’s professional applications. It is recommended for all users of:
-DVD Studio Pro
-Final Cut Pro
-Logic Pro
-Logic Express
-Motion
-Sountrack
System Requirements
— Mac OS X 10.4 or later
For more information, visit:
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/proapplicationsupport30macosx104.html
Apple DVD Player 4.6 for OS X 10.4
DVD Player 4.6 delivers added support for DVD Studio Pro 4 authored HD DVDs. It is recommended for all users of DVD Player.
Key Updates include:
-Additional support for playing DSP 4 authored HD DVD folders from DVD discs and hard drives.
-Additional support of discs with both SD and DSP 4 authored HD content.
-Improved Global Player settings.
-Improved usage for last play and disc info dialogs.
System Requirements
— Mac OS X 10.4 or later
— A Macintosh computer with a PowerPC G3, G4 or G5 processor (G5 required for HD playback)
— 256 MB of RAM
For more information, visit:
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/dvdplayer46.html
Toast Titanium 6.1 CD & DVD Burning Software
Toast 6 Titanium, Roxio's award winning CD/DVD burning software for Mac OS X, is the foundation of your digital life. Toast helps you do even more with iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie and GarageBand. Now it's easier than ever to create and copy your data, music, photo and video CDs and DVDs.
Securely backup and encrypt your precious data. Burn perfect audio and enhanced audio CDs, or digitize old records and tapes. Turn still photos into stunning movies with pan and zoom effects, cross fades, and soundtracks. Create video discs directly from your DV camcorder. Burn Video CDs, Super Video CDs, or DVDs, with menus, buttons and chapters to view on a DVD player or computer. Print custom labels and jewel case covers and inserts.
New in this version:
Toast 6 Titanium v6.1
Includes all previous version 6 updates, in addition to:
Data:
• Resolves an issue where Custom Hybrid format fails to write temporary partitions on Mac OS 10.4 (Tiger).
• Resolves an issue where Mac Volume format results in "error -36" on Mac OS 10.4 (Tiger).
• Resolves an issue where the HFS partition of discs created in Mac Volume or Custom Hybrid format has errors in the Master Directory Block when using the "Optimize on the Fly" option.
• Correctly records to DVD-R DL (dual layer) media for data disc formats.
• Resolves an issue where the Plextor 716 recorder detected CD-RW media as DVD-RAM.
Audio:
• Following discussions with Apple, this version will no longer allow customers to create audio CDs, audio DVDs, or export audio to their hard drive using purchased iTunes music store content.
Video:
• Resolves an issue with DV encoding on Mac OS 10.4 (Tiger/QuickTime 7).
• Resolves an issue where export of movies to DV results in "error -50" on Mac OS 10.4 (Tiger/QuickTime 7).
• Aspect ratio of video produced in Final Cut Pro now correctly detected and preserved when encoded.
• Correctly records to DVD-R DL (dual layer) media for DVD-Video. Resolves an issue where -R DL dual-layer media was detected as +R DL double-layer media and recording failed or the layer break was set incorrectly.
Copy:
• Resolves an issue with copies failing from images unable to be mounted or unmounted on Mac OS 10.4 (Tiger)
Deja Vu Backup Scheduler:
Updated Deja Vu v3.1 for Mac OS 10.4 (Tiger). To install Deja Vu for Tiger, follow the instructions in the Toast Setup Assistant. Deja Vu is located in the System Preferences.
Release notes:
http://www.roxio.com/en/support/toast/software_updatesv6.jhtml)
System requirements:
Mac OS X 10.2 or higher
Toast Titanium sells for $99.95
For more information, visit:
http://www.roxio.com/en/products/toast/index.jhtml
Bare Bones Software Releases BBEdit 8.2.1
Bare Bones Software has announced the release and immediate availability of BBEdit 8.2.1, the latest version of the award-winning HTML and text editor for the Macintosh. BBEdit 8.2.1 is a maintenance release to fix reported issues and add minor interface refinements and enhancements.
The BBEdit 8.2.1 update is available free of charge to all registered BBEdit 8 customers. An update package is available for download from the Bare Bones Software web site:
http://www.barebones.com/support/updates.shtml
BBEdit is the leading professional HTML and text editor for the Macintosh. Specifically crafted in response to the needs of professional Web authors and software developers, this award-winning product provides a plethora of features for editing, searching, and manipulation of text. BBEdit reliably transforms text with high performance.
An intelligent interface provides easy access to BBEdit's best of class features including grep pattern matching, search and replace across multiple files, function navigation and syntax coloring for numerous source code languages, FTP and SFTP open and save, AppleScript, Perl and Mac OS X Unix scripting support, glossary support, intra-application automation, and a complete set of HTML tools.
BBEdit 8 introduced over one hundred new features and improvements, including a new Documents Drawer and Navigation Bar interface for working with multiple documents in one window, new Text Factories for intra-application text processing automation, numerous enhancements to the product's signature HTML markup tools, improved Unicode support, integrated support for Perforce and Subversion, integrated support for Automator, and much more.
For more information on BBEdit, or to download a fully functional demo version, visit the company's web site:
http://www.barebones.com/products/bbedit/index.shtml
BBEdit 8 is available at a suggested retail price of US$199. BBEdit 8 may be purchased directly from Bare Bones Software, the retail and online Apple Stores, and numerous major Macintosh software resellers. For a partial listing of domestic and international resellers, visit:
http://www.barebones.com/store/resellers.shtml
A discounted cross-upgrade price of US$129 is available to registered owners of TextWrangler, and to owners of Adobe GoLive or Macromedia Dreamweaver. All registered owners of BBEdit version 2.5 and later are eligible to upgrade to BBEdit 8 by ordering directly from Bare Bones Software. Registered owners of BBEdit 7.0 and 7.1 can upgrade for US$49; registered owners of BBEdit 6.5 and older can upgrade for US$59.
Educational discounts and site license pricing are also available. For details please visit the company's web site at:
http://www.barebones.com/store/index.shtml
New Pooch v1.6 Taps Tiger, Grid, and Web
Dauger Research, Inc., releases version 1.6 of Pooch (Parallel OperatiOn and Control Heuristic application) and Pooch Pro clustering software today. Leveraging new technologies introduced with "Tiger", Apple's newest Mac OS X, the Pooch family introduces new enhancements, including "playlist"-like node lists and network tools, enriching the user experience of supercomputer-compatible cluster computing. Long recognized as a leader in cluster solution providers,Ă‚Â Dauger Research delivers an unmatched combination of powerful tools to manage and maintain cluster resources, maximizing the power of clusters for its users.
"While carrying the Macintosh philosophy to supercomputer-compatible cluster computing, we accomplish many 'first's to adopt the latest in desktop technology, such as Bonjour, AppleScript, and drag-and-drop, to make clusters as easy-to-use as possible for users. Leading 'ad hoc' clustering, we continue that spirit with the new Pooch and Pooch Pro.", said Dr. Dean Dauger, President of Dauger Research, Inc. "The Pooch family provides the easiest and most reliable path to parallel computing; we've just made it even better."
The Pooch family leads the way making grid and cluster computing easy-to-use and reliable. A new web interface to Pooch increases the ways users can utilize clustering, making it even easier for users on other platforms to utilize a Mac cluster. As enhancements to its network scan tool, the new Pooch introduces user-defined node lists, much like iTunes' "playlists", in its new Network pane, allowing the user to switch between subnets of the Internet as well as define arbitrary groups of computing nodes for the user's convenience and benefit. Users can access multiple networks of nodes in the new Network view and evaluate queued, running, and terminated jobs through Pooch's native interface or via AppleScript. Pooch's Job window features a new Grid job type, making distributed launching of many single-processor executables as easy as point and click. Independent executables not designed for parallel computing can therefore utilize a cluster through Pooch's GUI.
Pooch leverages four major Tiger technologies: Pooch includes a new Automator action that enables workflows to initiate cluster activity. A new Dashboard widget, shipping with Pooch, reports the status of and the past, present, and future job activity on the cluster in an aesthetically pleasing environment. Spotlight can search Pooch's job data with a new plug-in. Finally, Pooch makes Xgrid nodes accessible to users through Pooch's award-winning interface.
These features build on the Pooch family's recognized lead over other cluster solutions. Pooch and Pooch Pro can have multiprocessor Macs behave like multiple "virtual nodes". They can can utilize logged-out machines for parallel computing with preexisting resources. Pooch supports all execution environments available on current Apple hardware and supports five distinct implementations of the Message-Passing Interface (MPI). Pooch Pro provides the only easy-to-use GUI-based resource management mechanism, securely encrypting user data about CPU time, job limits, and even rollover minutes, another feature unique to Pooch Pro in the cluster world.
Dauger Research, Inc., introduced eight tutorials, three recently, on the Pooch website, extensively describing how to develop parallel applications and algorithms. Users can access tutorials outlining the different types of parallel computing, detailed MPI information, and descriptions, with example code in Fortran and C, of the basics of writing parallel code. Website visitors can download GUI and command-line installers containing a trial Pooch, sample parallel applications and source code, a Pooch Software Development Kit, and full documentation. Dauger Research makes it easier than ever to write, develop, and run your parallel code today.
Pooch and Pooch Pro v1.6 are available today. Updates are shipping to Pooch users whose subscriptions are active.
Pooch v1.6 is available for US$175 for the first compute node then US$125 for each node thereafter. Pooch Pro v1.6 is available for US$200 for the first compute node then US$150 for each node thereafter. See the web site for special academic pricing. Users may order Pooch and other software using the forms on our web site or online through the Dauger Research Store.
Pooch requires networked Macintoshes and/or Xserves running Mac OS 9 with CarbonLib 1.2 or later, Mac OS X 10.2 or later, and/or Mac OS X Server 10.2 or later with 4 MB of available RAM and 2 MB of disk space. Pooch Pro requires Mac OS X 10.2 or later, and/or Mac OS X Server 10.2 or later.
For more information, visit:
http://daugerresearch.com/pooch/whatsnew.html
HealthCare Management Suite
Use Healthcare Management Suite for:
Medical diagrams and charts
Medical illustrations and graphics
Teaching and education materials
Medical training diagrams and drawings
Anatomical drawings for medical notes
Visualizing complex medical issues
Flowcharts, orgcharts
Healthcare plans
Medical project plans
To-do lists for stuff
Process flow charts for presentations
Numerous reports, calendars and timelines
Cause-and-effect diagrams
Floor plan of your hospital
Essential for:
Administration personnel
Consulting physicians
Medical practitioners
Physicians
Management at healthcare institution
Professors and students of medical universities
Hospital quality directors
Unique features of Healthcare Management Suite:
• The only dedicated medical charting software, that works on the Macintosh and Windows
• Intuitive interface for drawing professional illustrations for Medical and EMS services, Hospitals, Research, and more
• Large collections of Medical, Anatomy Clip Art and symbols
• Powerful built-in drawing tools
• No special training is needed to deliver instant productivity with Healthcare Management Suite
For more information, visit:
http://www.conceptdraw.com/en/solutions/healthcare/healthcare_management.php
PENTAX Announces Three New Optio Digital Cameras
PENTAX Imaging Company has announced three new digital camera additions to its popular Optio digital camera lines. The PENTAX Optio S5z, the Optio S55 and the Optio S45 as well as the manufacturer's sixth DA lens will ship to dealers in June 2005.
The PENTAX Optio S5z is the fifth iteration in the most popular compact and lightweight PENTAX digital camera series. Like its predecessors, the Optio S5z is loaded with features and boasts a 2.5 inch monitor to optimize image composition and playback. With a 3X optical zoom and the power of 5.0 effective megapixels, the Optio S5z features an aluminum alloy exterior and a rounded corner design and rubber grip. Measuring just 3.3 x 2.2 x 0.8 inches and weighing only 3.7 ounces (without battery), the small size of the Optio S5z is made possible through the innovative PENTAX Sliding Lens system that moves the powerful lens up and away as it retracts into the camera.
"This S series of Optio digital cameras that are as small as an Altoids tin continues to be one of our most popular digital cameras," said Ned Bunnell, director of marketing, PENTAX Imaging Company. "Stylish, compact and full-featured, this series is the benchmark for the go everywhere digital user." The PENTAX Optio S5z will be available for under $350 US.
Two more PENTAX digital cameras have been announced that follow in the no experience required tradition that makes digital a little less daunting for newcomers. The PENTAX Optio S55 delivers powerful 5.0 megapixel resolution, a 3X optical zoom and a 2.5 inch LCD monitor. Easy to understand and use, the Optio S55 features a Help mode that displays function explanations to reduce operating manual dependency. The Optio S55 will be available for under $300 US.
The third PENTAX digital is the Optio S45, a compact digital camera featuring 4.0 megapixels, a 3X optical zoom and a large 2.5 inch LCD monitor. With the large monitor that simplifies composition and playback, the Optio S45 is well suited to any user. The Optio S45 will be available in limited distribution for under $230 US.
Each of the new PENTAX Optio digital cameras will ship with PhotoShow Express software. Developed by Simple Star, PhotoShow is the fun and easy-to-use software program that enables users to easily manage, search, edit and share their digital photos as musical slide shows.
PENTAX also will ship the latest compact, lightweight 4X telephoto zoom DA lens for use with digital SLR cameras. First announced at the Photo Manufacturers Association (PMA) trade show in February 2005, the smc PENTAX-DA 50mm-200mm F4-F5.6 ED is developed for exclusive use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras for both mid-range telephoto applications and serious long-range applications. Mounted on the PENTAX *ist D or PENTAX *ist DS, this lens offers focal lengths equivalent from 76.5mm to 306mm (in the 35mm format). This wide coverage is ideal for a variety of telephoto applications, including portraiture, sports and scenery. The lens will be available at $300 US.
PENTAX Imaging Company is an innovative leader in the production of digital and film cameras, scopes, eyepieces, binoculars, lenses, mobile printers, scanners and internet cameras. For more than 80 years, PENTAX technology has developed durable, reliable products that meet the needs of consumers and businesses. With headquarters in Golden, Colorado, PENTAX Imaging Company is a division of PENTAX of America, Inc.
Runtime Revolution Announces Second Free Online Conference Line-up Conference to be Presented by Mark Talluto of Canela Software
Runtime Revolution ( http://www.runrev.com ) and Canela Software ( http://www.canelasoftware.com ) announce the line-up for the second free online conference for Revolution users. The conference will be presented by Mark Talluto of Canela Software and is entitled 'Script Anatomy 101' and is accompanied by a free stack containing code, hints and tips. In common with the other conferences it will be moderated by Jacqueline Landman Gay of Hyperactive Software ( http://www.hyperactivesw.com ) and takes place at 15:30 GMT on Saturday 14th of May 2005.
The conference focuses on the Transcript programming language and will cover aspects including:
- Commands
- Functions
- Containers
- Variables
- Keywords
- Where scripts reside and script editor menus
The conference is an ideal opportunity for new and experienced Revolution users to take part in a lively and informative conference. The conference is open to all including those who have yet to purchase a licence.
Details of this conference, the fifteen others in the series and the free sample stack can be found at:
http://support.runrev.com/scriptingconferences/
Participants are advised to download the latest version of Runtime Revolution from:
http://www.runrev.com
Toshiba Unveils 45GB HD DVD-ROM Disc and Double-Sided Hybrid Disc
Toshiba Corporation has announced development of a triple-layer HD DVD-ROM (read-only) disc with a data capacity of 45 gigabytes, 50% more than the 30-gigabyte dual-layer HD DVD-ROM disc already announced and enough to record twelve hours of high-definition movies on a single disc. The new disc adds a high-end option to the previous HD DVD-ROM disc lineup that includes the 15GB (single-layer, single-sided) and 30GB (dual-layer, single-sided). These two discs are already approved and standardized at the DVD Forum.
Toshiba also announced a double-sided, dual-layer hybrid ROM disc comprised of dual-layer HD DVD-ROM side and dual-layer DVD-ROM side. The hybrid disc can store 30GB of high-definition content on the HD DVD-ROM side and 8.5GB of standard-definition content on the DVD-ROM dual layer side. More than 84 million DVD players and recorders were produced worldwide in 2004 alone. The standard definition content of the new hybrid discs can be replayed on these platforms, while their owners will also be able to enjoy high-definition content from the same source when they purchase HD DVD players in the future. The new disc further prepares the way for a smooth transition from DVD to HD DVD.
Details of these new discs will be presented at the May 11 HD DVD workshop at Media-Tech Expo 2005 in Las Vegas, U.S., the leading annual trade show for the optical disc manufacturing industry.
All these new versions of HD DVD-ROM discs share the same disc structure as previously announced HD DVD formats, and today's DVD format: two 0.6-mm thick discs bonded back-to-back, a time-tested physical structure with proven volume manufacturing capability at little cost increment.
Memory-Tech Corporation, Japan's largest independent disc replicator, has confirmed the new 45GB and hybrid discs can be produced on their existing manufacturing lines and equipment, which are tailored to produce HD DVD discs, with only minor additional investment and minimum additional production cost per disc.
Mr. Shiroharu Kawasaki, President and CEO, Memory-Tech, said: "These new HD DVD discs will surely be welcomed by content holders, including Hollywood studios and game developers, as further broadening the scope of future applications. We have already started verification for volume production of triple-layered discs, and we are confident of early verification as they are based on the 0.6mm disc structure and established production technologies. We at Memory-Tech are fully committed to flexibly meeting variety of user requirements."
NEC Corporation and SANYO Electric Co., Ltd., both strong supporters of the HD DVD format also welcomed this announcement. "We are excited by the new discs and the way they further extend the possibilities of the HD DVD format," said Mr. Hiroshi Gokan, Executive General Manager of Computers Storage Products Operations Unit at NEC. SANYO's Dr. Keiichi Yodoshi, Deputy General Manager of R&D Headquarters said, "The new discs demonstrate that 0.6mm discs can support diverse applications and achieve technical excellence, while fully securing firm backward compatibility."
Technical features
1) Triple-layer 45GB disc
The newly developed ROM disc has a single-sided, triple-layer structure (see attachment). Each layer stores 15 gigabytes of information. Triple-layer discs can be easily produced by back-to-back bonding of a 0.6mm-thick dual-layer disc and a single-layer 0.6mm disc.
In the process, a single-layer disc is first produced, using the same process as for HD DVD-ROM. Next, the second layer is formed on first layer using a one-time polycarbonate stamper, the same process used for the DVD-18 disc, the double-sided DVD disc that has dual-layers on both sides. Finally, the single-layer 0.6mm disc is bonded to the dual-layer disc, using standard technology.
2) Double-sided, Dual-layer Hybrid Disc
In December 2004, Toshiba and Memory-Tech announced development of a single-sided, dual-layer HD DVD-ROM/DVD-ROM hybrid disc. The DVD layer had a 4.7GB capacity, meeting the specification for current DVD discs, while the HD DVD layer had a 15GB capacity.
Now Toshiba has developed a double-sided, dual-layer HD DVD-ROM/DVD-ROM hybrid disc. Simply explained, the new hybrid disc bonds together a 0.6mm thick dual-layer HD DVD-ROM disc with 30GB capacity, and a 0.6-mm thick dual-layer DVD-ROM disc with an 8.5GB capacity (see attachment).
The dual-layer DVD-ROM disc structure is well established. The new disc has a structure as simple as that of current dual-layer DVD-ROM discs. Today, more than fifty percent of DVD-ROM discs on the market are dual-layer versions.
The new disc brings the clear benefit of satisfying consumers, retailers, disc producers and Hollywood studios. It allows consumers to view DVD content on standard DVD players and, after purchasing an HD DVD player, to enjoy high definition content on the HD DVD layer from the same disc. The new disc structure also increases options for content providers: they can provide the same content in two formats, or use the HD DVD layer for a feature movie and the DVD layer to store promotional videos or audio content, including the movie sound track. Retailers can also promote HD DVD hardware as well as maintaining standard DVD sales.
Epson Introduces Product for Fine Art Photography with the New Epson Stylus Photo R2400 and Epson UltraChrome K3 Inks
Epson America Inc. has introduced the Epson Stylus Photo R2400 and Epson UltraChrome K3 inks. This new printer, coupled with its innovative ink technology, offers professional and fine art photographers the most advanced ink jet technology available to date. The Epson UltraChrome K3 pigment ink set ensures both a wider color gamut and superior black and white output with print permanence ratings that are perfect for gallery exhibits. With three levels of black and advanced driver controls, the Epson Stylus Photo R2400 enables users to create professional-quality prints on a wide variety of media.
Replacing the award-winning Epson Stylus Photo 2200, the Epson Stylus Photo R2400 will be the printer of choice for professional and fine art photographers, as well as serious amateurs.
"Epson has a legacy of providing photographers and digital artists with the tools that enable them to express their vision. The Epson Stylus Photo R2400 and the new Epson UltraChrome K3 inks produce stunning color prints in addition to black and white prints that look and feel like traditional silver halide prints," said Patrick Chen, product manager, photo imaging, Epson America. "Quite simply, this printer with its Epson UltraChrome K3 inks will redefine photographic printing in the industry with the next level of uncompromising quality, ease of use and print permanence."
The Epson UltraChrome K3 ink set is a unique eight-color system designed specifically for professional and fine art photographers and digital artists who seek exhibit-level photo quality. Inspired by Epson's past generations of pigmented inks, Epson UltraChrome K3 uses higher density pigments to widen the color gamut. In addition to cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan and light magenta, UltraChrome K3 features a special three-level black ink system that simultaneously uses black, light black and light-light black to create professional neutral and toned black and white prints from a single ink set.
Epson UltraChrome K3 inks also boast output without color crossover or color casts. In addition to professional-quality black and white output, Epson UltraChrome K3 produces higher degrees of color fidelity and stable colors superior to that of other ink technologies on the market. By using high-gloss Microcrystal Encapsulation technology, Epson delivers improved pigment and resin chemistry to provide better scratch resistance and glossier prints.
The Epson Stylus Photo R2400 produces unparalleled black and white prints and gives the user the choice of two interchangeable cartridges -- Photo Black or Matte Black. This feature optimizes the black ink density for various media types, which produces richer blacks and higher contrast output. Professional results can be achieved with the Photo Black Mode on a variety of glossy media, and in Matte Black Mode on matte and fine art media such as Epson's Velvet Fine Art, Enhanced Matte and UltraSmooth Fine Art. Both Photo and Matte Black cartridges are included with the Epson Stylus Photo R2400.
The Epson Stylus Photo R2400 driver is enhanced to provide users with unprecedented black and white image control. The driver settings offer quick toning presets, separate controls for shadow and highlight tonality control, maximum optical density control, reduced gloss differential, and custom tone control. Furthermore, Epson's proprietary driver and screening technology offers users a unique method for converting color digital images into professional quality black and white prints.
About the Epson Stylus Photo R2400 -- Key Product Features
The Epson Stylus Photo R2400 offers a multitude of features for digital and fine art photographers:
-- Printing Method: Epson's exclusive and award-winning drop-on-demand Advanced Micro Piezo pigment ink jet technology delivers droplet sizes as small as 3.5 picoliters and resolutions up to 5760 x 1440 optimized dpi
-- BorderFree Printing Sizes: Borderless printing without margins in popular 4 x 6", 5 x 7", 8"x 10", letter (8.5" x 11"), 11" x 14", 12"x 12", 13" x 19", and panoramic sizes
-- High-Performance Print Engine Speeds: One of Epson's fastest photo printers to date, printing an 11"x14" photo in as fast as 1 minute, 47 seconds(a)
-- Water/Smudge-Resistant Prints: Epson UltraChrome K3 inks resist smudging or fingerprints related to high levels of humidity, moisture and water spillage(b)
-- Professional Media Handling: Three paths: Sheet, Rear (Roll and Single-Sheet Fine Art) and Straight-through for 1.3mm thick media; standard handling including BorderFree Printing, plus roll paper support (4", 8.3" and 13")
-- Epson Paper Options: Enhanced Matte Paper, Velvet Fine Art Paper, Watercolor Radiant White, UltraSmooth Fine Art Paper, Matte Paper Heavyweight, PremierArt Matte Scrapbook Photo Paper for Epson, Premium Glossy Photo Paper, Premium Semigloss Photo Paper, Premium Luster Photo Paper, Photo Quality Ink Jet Paper, and Premium Bright White Paper
-- Paper Sizes: 4"x 6", 5" x 7", 8" x 10", letter (8.5" x 11"), 11" x 14", 12" x 12", 13" x 19", B (11" x 17"), A3+, Super B (13" x 19"), user definable, plus 4", 8.3" and 13" wide panoramic roll papers
Included Photo Software and Color Management Solutions
The Epson Stylus Photo R2400 comes with a Print Image Matching Plug-in for Adobe Photoshop and four popular black and white filters from nik Color Efex Pro 2.0. These filters are downloadable from nik multimedia's website and operate on both PC and Macintosh platforms. In addition, Epson RAW Print is also included for easy printing of RAW format image files. Supported by Windows 2000 and XP, Epson RAW Print works with the following cameras: Epson RD-1, Nikon D70 and Canon EOS Rebel. Color management solutions include premium ICC color profiles, X-Rite Complete Guide to Color Management, and an exclusive offer by X-Rite for Monaco EZ Color.
System requirements:
The EPSON Stylus Photo R2400 supports Windows 2000 and XP and Mac OS X 10.2.4 or later with both Hi-Speed USB 2.0 and FireWire (IEEE 1394) ports.
Epson is always striving to offer products that produce fade-resistant and long-lasting photos. The Epson Stylus Photo R2400 is a breakthrough product with its print longevity using new Epson UltraChrome K3 inks and a wide selection of Epson archival media. The printer's output is rated to resist fading up to 108 years for color and over 200 years for black and white(c).
The Epson Stylus Photo R2400 will be available this month for an estimated street price of $849 through direct market resellers, specialty photo stores, computer superstores, on-line retailers, and Epson's retail Web site ( http://www.epsonstore.com ). The printer is backed by the one-year EPSON Exchange Warranty and is supported by the EPSON Connection(SM), a customer support technical assistance line.
For more information, visit:
http://www.epson.com
New Epson Stylus Pro 4800, 7800 and 9800 Ink Jet Printers with New Epson UltraChrome K3 Inks Mark Defining Moment in History of Photography and Professional Graphics
Epson has launched the Epson Stylus Pro 4800, Epson Stylus Pro 7800, Epson Stylus Pro 9800, and new Epson UltraChrome K3 ink technology. The combination of these new printers and archival inks not only gives today's most demanding professionals the widest gamut of archival color ink jet printing to date, but an almost infinite degree of black and white image control that rivals all other forms of photographic printing.
All three printers introduce several new and advanced features and technologies, most notably Epson UltraChrome K3 inks -- a new archival technology that uses eight individual colors to create even better exhibit-quality output on a wide selection of media. The Epson Stylus Pro 4800 replaces the award-winning Epson Stylus Pro 4000 for printing images as wide as 17 inches, while the Epson Stylus Pro 7800 and Epson Stylus Pro 9800 replace the Epson Stylus Pro 7600 and 9600 for printing up to 24 inches and 44 inches in width, respectively.
"By combining the high-precision of a new Epson Stylus Pro print engine with the extraordinary performance of Epson UltraChrome K3 ink technology, today's most discerning creative professionals have the tools to express their true creative visions," said Mark Radogna, group product manager, professional graphics, Epson. "Whether an artist's goal is to create the best exhibit-quality color prints possible or world-class black and white photography, their only limitations will be talent and imagination."
New Epson UltraChrome K3 Ink Technology
Inspired by Epson's past generations of pigmented inks, Epson UltraChrome K3 uses higher density pigments designed to increase image quality for both professional color and black and white prints. In addition to cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan and light magenta, Epson UltraChrome K3 features a unique three-level black ink system that simultaneously uses black, light black and light-light black inks. This technology is designed to create professional neutral and toned black and white prints without color crossover or color casts. It also reduces the effects of metamerism or bronzing often associated with basic pigment chemistry. Furthermore, Epson's proprietary driver and screening technology offer users a unique method for converting color digital images into professional quality black and white prints.
Epson UltraChrome K3 also produces higher degrees of color fidelity and uses a new high-gloss Microcrystal Encapsulation resin chemistry to create prints with greater scratch resistance and reduced gloss differential. These prints are rated to resist fading up to 108 years for color prints and more than 200 years for black and white prints on specific Epson papers(a).
The Epson Stylus Pro 4800, 7800 and 9800 offer users two unique ink modes -- Photo Black and Matte Black -- that are designed to optimize the level of black ink density on different types of media. The Photo Black ink mode can be selected to help maximize the deepness and richness of black tones on glossy/luster media such as Epson's Premium Luster. The Matte Black mode uses a different black density to maximize the deepness and richness of black tones on fine art surfaces such as Epson's Velvet Fine Art, Enhanced Matte and UltraSmooth Fine Art.
New 8-Channel Print Head Technology
Epson's new high-performance, one-inch wide print head features 180 nozzles per channel and can achieve resolution levels up to 2880 x 1440 dpi with variable-sized ink droplets as small as 3.5 picoliters. The Epson Stylus Pro 4800 is also one of the fastest ink jet printers ever made by Epson, capable of printing a 16"x 20" photo lab-quality print (using 1,440 x 720 dpi -- HS mode) as fast as 6 minutes, 41 seconds. The Epson Stylus Pro 7800 and 9800 offer print speeds approximately two times faster than their predecessors, the Epson Stylus Pro 7600 and 9600. Photo lab-quality 24" x 30" prints can be printed as quickly as 14 minutes, 18 seconds, and same-quality 44" x 60" prints can be printed in approximately 42 minutes, 30 seconds (all using 1,440 x 720 dpi -- HS mode).
Epson has enhanced its manufacturing process to include colorimetric calibration. A technology called Epson PreciseColor evaluates each printer's output during the manufacturing process and automatically fine tunes each printer's settings to ensure consistent color output from one printer to the next.
Setup time is also greatly reduced by a built-in auto head alignment feature. This technology uses a built-in white beam sensor that automatically scans printed alignment patterns created by the printer and then makes automated adjustments if necessary. The same white beam sensor is also used to detect clogged nozzles and automatically activate head cleaning cycles when/if necessary.
Professional Media Handling
The Epson Stylus Pro 4800 can handle virtually any type of media, either in rolls up to 17 inches wide or cut sheets between 8" x 10" and 17" x 22". There are four ways to load media, which include an adjustable roll feed for 2-inch and 3-inch cores, a high-capacity cut-sheet tray for up to 50 sheets of photographic media, top manual feed, and straight-through front manual feed capable of handling up to 1.5-millimeter-thick poster board. The Epson Stylus Pro 4800 also supports printing on both sides of the media without damaging the previously printed side and has a built-in media cutter that automatically trims top and bottom edges of roll media safely and accurately to produce full-bleed images on all four sides.
The Epson Stylus Pro 7800 and 9800 offer nearly all of the same advanced media handling capabilities as the Epson Stylus Pro 4800, but in sizes up to 24 and 44 inches wide (respectively). Both cut-sheet and roll media are loaded via the printers' straight-through media path. An optional automatic take-up reel system is also available exclusively on the Epson Stylus Pro 9800 for unattended production of large print runs.
Intelligent High-Capacity Ink System and Print Job Information
Each of these new printers' ink cartridge channels/slots can handle either 110 ml or 220 ml cartridges (or a combination of both sizes) that can even be replaced in the middle of a print job. Each cartridge uses Epson's Intelligent High-Capacity Ink technology, a feature that stores a variety of information on a memory chip and communicates the data to the printer whenever the power is turned on. Also, the printers use built-in memory to track key print job statistics such as ink levels, ink usage, remaining media, print times, data file names, user names, print dates and more.
Superior Connectivity and RIP Support
The Epson Stylus Pro 4800, 7800 and 9800 use Epson's professional-level photographic drivers for Macintosh and Windows, allowing for complete density control even when the driver's color management feature is turned off. Printer interfaces include one USB 2.0 port, one IEEE 1394 FireWire port and one expansion slot for an optional 10/100 BaseT Ethernet card. All three printers are fully supported by most leading third-party RIPs.
Pricing and Availability
The Epson Stylus Pro 4800 is now shipping through Epson dealers for $1,995 (estimated street price). The Epson Stylus Pro 4800 "Pro Edition," which includes a PANTONE-licensed, SWOP-certified PostScript, Language Level 3-compatible RIP by ColorBurst, and a 10/100 BaseT Ethernet card, is expected to begin shipping in July to authorized professional graphics resellers with an estimated street price of $2,495. The Epson Stylus Pro 7800 and 9800 will begin shipping in Fall 2005 and are respectively priced at $2,995 and $4,995 (estimated street prices), which includes a complimentary stand for each.
For more information, visit:
http://www.epson.com
Charles W. Moore
Tags: News ď Software News ď
