Scanners4CAD eMagazine - April / May 2007
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HOT NEWS: Bowe Bell + Howell launch Infinity WF in the USA.
COMPARISON: Contex versus WideTEK network scanning.
REVIEW: The new Paradigm ImagePro Gx42 HD scanner series.
REVIEW: The new Paradigm Quatra multi-function printer/scanner.
VISTA: The CAD Experts View on Vista: Cadalyst Labs Review.
HI-TEC GRAVEYARD: HP discontinue HP Designjet 4200 scanner.
16th April 2007
HOT NEWS: Bowe Bell + Howell launch Infinity WF in the USA.
In a new development in the North American market, Bowe Bell + Howell have announced their first large format scanner, the Infinity WF, an OEM version of the WideTEK scanner from Image Access in Germany, announced here last month.
In selecting to badge the Image Access WideTEK as their first large format scanner Bowe Bell + Howell have picked a product that aspires to be a generation ahead of the rest. The Infinity WF's claimed speed, accuracy, reprographics quality image sharpness, paper handling and, above all, its networkability are certain to enhance their reputation.
The Infinity WF - Bowe Bell + Howell's new, true networking, colour CCD scanner.
The Infinity WF is a fast, high precision, 600 dpi optical, 36" colour CCD scanner supplied with stand and pre-installed software. It is distinguished by an innovative networking capability similar to the new Contex Puma G600 iJET, a 42" device which costs more than twice as much in the UK. (US price TBA).
Anyone wanting the benefit of fast, large format scanning direct across a network, especially IT managers wanting to stay ahead of the game and keep their organisation at the forefront of technology, should investigate the Infinity WF. It promises innovative, practical and realistically priced networked productivity benefits to any size of organisation running PCs, Macs and or Unix systems.
Affordable networking is large format scanning's missing link!
Despite its industry-leading accuracy and overall excellence in terms of colour scan speed (fast), paper handling (firm but gentle), and scan quality (superb), we think the most significant feature, the one that sets the Infinity WF ahead of other runners in the wide format race, is its flexible networking capability.
So, we were surprised that the Bowe Bell + Howell press release did not mention networking until the third page and then only as a bullet point. Read the Bowe Bell + Howell press release as it appeared in Cadalyst (18th April, 2007) here.
In wide format scanning networking has been as rare as hen's teeth. Only recently did Contex introduce networking software to make this possible on their scanners. The recently released Contex Puma G600 iJET is their first and only true network scanner.
Colortrac don't do network scanning yet. While Graphtec have the capability, networking on their scanners is too slow to be practical. Only Contex (and its OEMS) offer network scanning right now, although only the Puma offers networking via an Ethernet connection.
The Infinity WF networks and scans straight out the box with no need to install drivers or software - direct to your workstation! It is an impressive network scanner capable of effortlessly and flexibly linking up with every user across a network. There is nothing that networks as easy as this straight out-of-the-box!
See this issue's COMPARISON: Contex versus WideTEK network scanning.
The Infinity WF's benefits do not stop with networking. It is also operating system independent i.e. the Infinity WF will run equally on Win NT, XP, Vista, a Mac or a Unix system, something the Contex Puma cannot do as it is still dependent on drivers installed on the receiving PC.
Operating system independence means that your investment in the Infinity WF is safeguarded against new or changing operating systems. Whatever new Windows operating system or Apple Mac comes out in future the Infinity WF will work with them because its scanning software is pre-installed on the scanner and is accessed by any internet browser, a standard feature on most PCs and workstations.
Because the Infinity WF is a network and internet-friendly device with its own-built-in PC new updates of the scanning software can be quickly downloaded. Further, it is possible for service engineers in remote locations to access the scanner (with the users approval!) to diagnose possible problems.
The Infinity WF is an infusion of fresh blood into a scanner market long fossilised around me-too, much-of-a-muchness features and functionality. Its practical networking and spin-offs like scanning direct to a USB stick represent a new dawn in affordable large format scanning.
More about the Infinity WF - from Bowe Bell + Howell's PR.
Available in three models with maximum scanning widths of 36, 42 and 48 inches, the Infinity WF can scan documents in bitonal (monochrome), grayscale and colour at 100 - 1200 dpi saved as 600 dpi optical.
The Infinity WF is fast and designed to meet the needs of reprographic houses, as well as architectural, engineering and construction firms. Depending on the model, it can scan at speeds of 3.2" to 4.2" ips in colour and up to 12.6 ips (WF 36) in bitonal. It's a high quality, precision CCD scanner designed to meet every requirement for large format document scanning, from AEC drawings, civils, GIS, maps and surveys.
The Infinity (WF 36) uses trilinear CCD cameras that capture sharp images fast. This and an innovative bright white LED light source ensures even distribution of light to help extrapolate to 1200 x 600 dpi optical for extremely high-resolution images. Supplied scanning software with colour gamma correction, black/white point adjustment, colour dropout and monochrome image enhancement augments the scanned image quality.
The Infinity WF includes pre-loaded scanning software. Among the powerful features is Image Rotation which allows users to feed a large document lengthwise and then rotate the scanned image to the proper orientation, a useful feature for users who need to scan documents that exceed their scanner’s maximum document width. Many, not all, large format scanners with professional software offer this as a paid-for extra.
The Infinity WF's paper handling uses transport wheels with individually mounted, spring loaded ball bearings to secure the placement of the scanned document and to ensure smooth and gentle document throughput. Automatic Width Detection allows users to feed fragile documents through the middle of the scan table without the need for paper guides nor the danger of them tearing or fraying the edges of documents. Users can manually adjust the amount of pressure between the document and the glass plate.
(Editor's Note: In the UK we have scanned a 90 year old, A0 folded-to-pocket-size linen map. The multiple creases fed through the scanner without problem. The customer believes the scan quality is as good as the best he's seen and suitable for their demanding high quality application.)
The Infinity WF has built-in feet, which allow the scanner to be placed on a table to scan fragile documents that cannot be bent, such as photographs, archival blueprints, city maps and construction drawings. These feet slot into and can be bolted to the waist-high floor stand which is supplied free with the Infinity WF scanner.
The Infinity WF is quiet, easy to maintain and has almost no costs on consumables. The cameras are enclosed to protect them from dust. The super white LED lights are expected to last the lifetime of the scanner. The LEDs allow the Infinity WF to be ready to scan as soon as it is turned on.
The Infinity WF includes everything an end user needs for simple set up and operation: Traditional network cable or a crossover cable for easy connectivity to a PC or Mac; Scanner stand with all assembly tools; Software for image capture and enhancement, the ability to scan to PDF, JPEG or TIFF files, a network, print, USB or email; and a power cord, calibration kit, roller cleaning paper, installation guide and start-up CD.
"We shape our product line to reflect customer needs, and we see considerable demand for a fast, easy-to-use wide format scanner," said Russell Hunt, president of Bowe Bell + Howell Scanners. "Built with the same high-quality standards our customers expect from Bowe Bell + Howell, Infinity WF’s intuitive touch screen and simple feeder will make scanner operation as easy for a novice as for an experienced user".
For more information on the Infinity WF see Bowe Bell + Howell's web site.
In Europe the Infinity WF is sold as the Image Access WideTEK. See:
www.imageaccess.de
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15th April 2007
COMPARISON: Contex versus WideTEK network scanning.
NETWORK SCANNING TODAY
It's only in the last six months or so that large format scanners have seen a significant movement towards a practical network scanning capability.
Up until now almost all wide format scanners were non-networkable devices that were connected to a host PC and that could only scan to the host PC. If the host PC was connected to a network, the scanned files saved on the host PC had to be manually transferred across the network. You could not share the scanner between several PCs or scan direct across the network to a target PC.
Times and technology have changed.
Today, the following large format scanners are networkable:
- All Contex scanners.
- The Contex Puma G600 iJET.
- The Image Access WideTEK 36, (Infinity WF in the USA).
(Editor's Note: Since writing this article we have become aware of the HP Designjet 4500 scanner and we have also become aware that other makes of large format scanner can be networked using third party software like SCP's EasyScan.)
The Contex Puma G600 iJET Basic Colour Scanner - Energy Efficient, 42" wide, 600 dpi optical, £14,995 + VAT, excluding software and stand.
The Image Access WideTEK 36 Colour Scanner - Energy Efficient, 36" wide, 600 dpi optical, £6995 + VAT, including software and stand.
There are two components to network scanning:
- Making scans from any PC on the network (sharing, pull).
- Sending scans to any PC on the network (push).
Networkable scanners differ in the requirements they have in order to perform these tasks.
Making scans from any PC on the network
| All Contex scanners | Contex Puma | WideTEK 36/Infinity WF | |
| Host PC required? | Yes - the host PC must have the WIDEsystemNET driver installed on it | No | No |
| Driver installation required on all PCs you intend to scan from? | Yes - WIDEsystemNET | No | No |
| Scanning software required on all PCs you intend to scan from? | Yes - for example WIDEimage or JETimage. Contex allow unlimited installation of their software on PCs scanning from a given scanner | No - it can use a standard web browser | No - it uses a standard web browser |
| Supported operating systems | Windows | Operating system independent - works with Windows, Mac and Unix systems | Operating system independent - works with Windows, Mac and Unix systems |
Sending scans to any PC on the network
| All Contex scanners | Contex Puma | WideTEK 36/Infinity WF | |
| What do you scan from? | A host PC that must have the WIDEsystemNET driver installed on it and that must also be running scanning software such as WIDEimage or JETimage. | The scanner's "iJET Panel", which is built into the scanner. | The scanner's touch screen, which is built into the scanner. |
| Driver installation required on all PCs you intend to scan to? | Yes - WIDEsystemNET | Yes - WIDEsystemNET | No |
| Scanning software required on all PCs you intend to scan to? | No | No | No |
| Supported operating systems | Windows | Windows | Operating system independent - works with Windows, Mac and Unix systems. |
Drivers
To scan over a network, all Contex scanners require scanning software and or drivers to be installed on the PCs you want to scan from or to.
The disadvantages of having to install scanning software and or drivers are:
- You or your network administrator will have to install them on every participating PC.
- The scanner will only work with the operating systems that the scanning software and or driver supports. At present the
WIDEsystemNET driver only works on Windows, so Contex scanners cannot be used to scan to or from Mac or Unix systems
over a network.
- The scanning software/driver has to be updated every time a new Windows version is released.
The WideTEK doesn't require drivers or scanning software to be installed as it does all its processing using its own built in powerful built-in PC. Scanning software is installed internally and can be accessed using a web browser.
The disadvantage of using a web browser to access the scanning software is that:
- Viewing, printing and scan settings functions are limited by the limitations of the browser. Image Access suggest that users wanting to use the WideTEK as part of a copying system should buy a third party RIP.
Host PC
All Contex scanners except the Puma need to be connected to a host PC in order to scan, even when scanning over a network.
The disadvantages of needing a host PC are:
- The host PC needs to be turned on before you can make a scan.
- The data is transmitted to the host PC via USB or Firewire, which are slower than a 1Gbit network cable.
- Scan processing is done by drivers and scanning software installed on the host PC.
The scanner can only scan as fast as the software on the host PC can receive and process the scanned data. As well as processing the scanned data, the host PC is busy doing other things like running Windows, so processing power is limited.
During a scan, you'll often see a scanner pause as chunks of data are sent to the PC and processed. After the scan is finished, there may be a long wait time before the host PC becomes available again.
The Puma and WideTEK can be connected directly to a network via a network cable and do not need a host PC.
CONCLUSION
The Image Access WideTEK is a true networking scanner that works straight out of the box on any operating system, with no software to install, no extra costs for scanning software and no need for a host PC.
In comparison to the WideTEK the Contex Puma is highly priced, still requires drivers and can only network with Windows PCs. However, at present Contex's scanning software is more capable than the WideTEK's.
If you already have a Contex scanner and want to share it across a network you can do so using Contex's latest driver and scanning software. You will need a host PC, will need to install scanning software and or drivers on all participating PCs and will only be able to share the scanner on Windows PCs.
For more information on the WideTEK (Infinity WF) see:
www.imageaccess.de
For more information on Contex scanners see:
www.contex.com
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1st May 2007
VISTA: The CAD Experts View on Vista: Cadalyst Labs Review.
Cadalyst Labs Review: Vista + CAD: Is It a Lock?
How Microsoft's Newest OS is Clicking with the Design World
By: Ron LaFon, Cadalyst.
"With the introduction of Microsoft Vista, PC users are beginning to experience the wide range of difficulties inherent in upgrading to a new operating system (OS) and becoming productive using it. This month, Cadalyst provides an early—and very general—glance at what is involved, as well as some speculation about when moving to Vista might make sense for users". To read this article, click here.
At last, a solution - an OS independent scanner!
The article above highlights the problem of changing OS to CAD users who now find that their favourite CAD program may now run fifty or more times slower.
Worse, (if it can get worse), this problem also impacts on hardware, like PCs and scanners, some of which may not support Vista at all. Many old scanners must be run on the OS they were originally designed to work with, like the now redundant Win '98. The good news is that there is now a solution to this PC-Age-old problem.
The new WideTEK 36 scanner from Image Access is an OS independent large format scanner. You will never have an OS problem on the WideTEK scanner range which networks PCs, Macs and Unix systems together via web browsers and through the scanner's built-in processor and pre-installed Scan2Net software. To read about the WideTEK, see: www.imageaccess.de.
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5th May 2007
HI-TEC GRAVEYARD: HP discontinue HP Designjet 4200 scanner
The king is dead...
The HP Designjet 4200 large format scanner is dead. Read its death notice here. However, some resellers believe it lives - and continue to advertise it on their web sites. Caveat emptor!
RIP. The defunct HP Designjet 4200 scanner.
... Long live the king!
Our report of the death of the HP Designjet 4200 network scanner is much exaggerated! HP now have a new replacement product, the HP Designjet 4500 (list UK £14040 / US $18995).
The new HP Designjet 4500.
The discontinuation of the HP Designjet 4200 is a step onwards and upwards in the evolution of better HP large format scanning solutions. Like the HP Designjet 4200 the new 4500 is an OEM'd version of a popular Contex scanner.
Read about the HP Designjet 4500 here.
Most significantly, the HP Designjet 4500 includes preconfigured drivers and built-in network connectivity to make it easy to add the scanner to wide range of HP Designjet printers. However, HP are not going to have the network scanning market all to themselves. New products are muscling in.
Introducing the Young Pretenders...
The HP Designjet 4200 scanner claimed to "make network setup quick and easy". Its discontinuation comes at a time when two new wide format products claiming powerful network functionality have been announced, the Contex Puma G600 iJET and the Image Access WideTEK.
Like all products the Contex Puma G600 iJET and the Image Access WideTEK have individual strengths and weaknesses. As scanners both stand up well in any comparison with the HP Designjet 4500. However, only the WideTEK shows any adventure in terms of pricing. It boldly goes for less than half the cost of the Contex Puma or new HP 4500.
For an appreciation of some of the differences between the Contex Puma and the WideTEK, see this issue's COMPARISON: Contex versus WideTEK network scanning.
... and some Conspirators at Court
Resellers are divided about the benefits of network scanning, something most users instinctively desire. With PCs and printers networking effortlessly across the enterprise, wide format scanners are among the last devices not to network. Sharing scanners is the final frontier. Some resellers don't want to go there.
The anti-networking lobby argue that networking large format scanners is a waste of time and that no-one who understands the issues is really interested in large format network scanning anyway. See NETWORKING: Coming soon to a Big Screen near you! Time and new developments like the HP 4500 will tell.
In Memoriam
HP are better know for their wide format printers than their scanners. What the HP Designjet 4200 began and what the 4500 continues is direct and dedicated support for popular HP large format printers, thereby ensuring that the combination of HP scanner and printer provides an excellent scan to copy solution.
The HP 4200 and 4500 contain drivers for HP Designjet scanners. Unsurprisingly these devices are aimed exclusively at HP Designjet users. If you have a Canon, Epson or Mutoh printer, etc., an HP Designjet scanner is not for you. Like Graphtec's message with their ScanPrint SP200W, which only prints to its own supplied Graphtec printer, HP's message is "you will only use our printer with our scanner". It's Tough Love - a cooperative family in a supportive community.
Ultimately, the HP brand name was not enough to sell the Designjet 4200. We know of several serious and interested relevant potential buyers in high volume scanning environments who baulked at its high price. Will the new HP 4500 scanner's higher price win the hearts and minds of HP's loyal Designjet printer users?
We think the combination of an HP Designjet scanner with an HP Designjet printer is probably the most powerful and emotive coupling CAD users can imagine. However, while tens of thousands of CAD users will stretch their budget to buy an HP Designjet printer only those with battalion-sized budgets in large corporations and professional practices will be able to marry it to the HP Designjet 4500 scanner.
Caveat Emptor:
The discontinued HP Designjet 4200 is still promoted on the web sites of some resellers. Obviously we would not
recommend buying one now unless at a knockdown price.
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