blbates@AERO4.LARC.NASA.GOV ("Brent L. Bates AAD/TAB MS361 x42854") (01/24/91)
We have a Tektronix 4693D color hardcopy device connected to our SGI 3130, 4D/210VGX, and 4D/320VGX via centronix parallel ports. We are please with the results. We save files in an ARCGraph format and then convert it to the Tektronix format and send files to the hardcopy unit with lpr. This gives us good copies with the most flexability. The thermal wax can be scratched off, but with proper care they stay in good condition. If you have very dark backgrounds, transparencies tend to melt when projected. I have found if I only use the 3 pass (yellow, cyan, magenta) option, they usually don't melt. I use the 4 pass (black added) for paper copies. You can get units that connect directly to the video output and get copies of what ever is on the screen. The quality of these units aren't as good as what we are using. Also you loose a lot of flexability. Around here at Langley, a lot of people have Seiko thermal printers that are connected to the video output and the copies they produce don't look as good as our Tektronix copies The best copies I have seen came from a Kodak hardcopy unit I saw at SIGGRAPH '89. They almost looked like photos and the transparencies look very durable. At the time I think they cost about the same as the Tektronix unit we have. -- Brent L. Bates NASA-Langley Research Center M.S. 361 Hampton, Virginia 23665-5225 (804) 864-2854 E-mail: blbates@aero4.larc.nasa.gov or blbates@aero8.larc.nasa.gov
marks@AIVAX.RADC.AF.MIL (David Marks) (01/25/91)
See the Feb '91 issue of MacWorld which has an evaluation of 14 color printers. Even though the tests were performed on Macs, it is a good gauge of how well the various color printing technologies work, and how well the various companies implemented them. Oh, you might also be interested in the cost... Dave Marks (SGI and Mac user) marks@stereo.radc.af.mil
blbates@AERO4.LARC.NASA.GOV ("Brent L. Bates AAD/TAB MS361 x42854") (01/31/91)
The Kodak unit I saw was model XL 7700 Digital Continuous Tone Printer.
I just got a flier from Kodak on it the other day, looks impressive, no
pricing information thou. There were three phone numbers listed for more
information, I haven't had a chance to call, but here they are:
In the U.S. 1-800-445-6325, Ext. 110
In Canada 1-800-465-6325, Dept. 345
Else where 716-726-6749 (FAX: 716-726-6750)
They sent a sample copy, looks like a photo. A few specs.:
8.5"x11" or 11"x11" paper or transparency
200 dpi, 8 bits/color plane => so 24 bits/pixel ?
SCSI & IEEE 488
--
Brent L. Bates
NASA-Langley Research Center
M.S. 361
Hampton, Virginia 23665-5225
(804) 864-2854
E-mail: blbates@aero4.larc.nasa.gov or blbates@aero8.larc.nasa.govblbates@AERO4.LARC.NASA.GOV ("Brent L. Bates AAD/TAB MS361 x42854") (01/31/91)
Someone here called Kodak and these are the prices for the XL 7700: Black & White ~$19k and Color ~$25k A lot more exepesive than I thought. -- Brent L. Bates NASA-Langley Research Center M.S. 361 Hampton, Virginia 23665-5225 (804) 864-2854 E-mail: blbates@aero4.larc.nasa.gov or blbates@aero8.larc.nasa.gov
mkibler@eecs.wsu.edu (Michael K. Kibler) (01/31/91)
In article <9101301716.AA00832@aero4.larc.nasa.gov> blbates@AERO4.LARC.NASA.GOV ("Brent L. Bates AAD/TAB MS361 x42854") writes: > > The Kodak unit I saw was model XL 7700 Digital Continuous Tone Printer. >I just got a flier from Kodak on it the other day, looks impressive, no >pricing information thou. There were three phone numbers listed for more >information, I haven't had a chance to call, but here they are: > > In the U.S. 1-800-445-6325, Ext. 110 > In Canada 1-800-465-6325, Dept. 345 > Else where 716-726-6749 (FAX: 716-726-6750) > > They sent a sample copy, looks like a photo. A few specs.: > > 8.5"x11" or 11"x11" paper or transparency > 200 dpi, 8 bits/color plane => so 24 bits/pixel ? > SCSI & IEEE 488 The output is indeed the best paper hardcopy output I have seen, but it is spendy. The list price is $ 24,895 with 12MB of memory and the cost per page is $ 3.85 ( from Feb 1991 Mac World ). The February issue of Mac World compares several hard copy devices and technologies, including Ink-Jet, Thermal Wax Transfer and Dye Sublimation ( XL 7700 ). -- ---- Mike ( ~~ Radiosity is more than just heat! ) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Michael K. Kibler INTERNET: mkibler@eecs.wsu.edu Elect/Compt. Engr. Dept. UUCP : ...uunet!eecs.wsu.edu!mkibler
scfisher@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Steven Fisher) (02/01/91)
In article <9101301716.AA00832@aero4.larc.nasa.gov> blbates@AERO4.LARC.NASA.GOV ("Brent L. Bates AAD/TAB MS361 x42854") writes: > The Kodak unit I saw was model XL 7700 Digital Continuous Tone Printer. >I just got a flier from Kodak on it the other day, looks impressive, no >pricing information thou. There were three phone numbers listed for more >information, I haven't had a chance to call, but here they are: > In the U.S. 1-800-445-6325, Ext. 110 > In Canada 1-800-465-6325, Dept. 345 > Else where 716-726-6749 (FAX: 716-726-6750) I called, and they want $25K for the color model, and the cost per print is $3.85. -steve
davidp@krill.corp.sgi.com (David Pike) (02/01/91)
|> |> > The Kodak unit I saw was model XL 7700 Digital Continuous Tone Printer. |> >I just got a flier from Kodak on it the other day, looks impressive, no |> >pricing information thou. There were three phone numbers listed for more |> >information, I haven't had a chance to call, but here they are: |> |> > In the U.S. 1-800-445-6325, Ext. 110 |> > In Canada 1-800-465-6325, Dept. 345 |> > Else where 716-726-6749 (FAX: 716-726-6750) |> |> I called, and they want $25K for the color model, and the cost per |> print is $3.85. |> The Kodak XL 7700, does indeed have nice output. For more information there was a recent article in this months MacWorld which tests about 7 color printers, the 7700 is one of them, as well as the Seiko, and Tektronix Phaser PX. David -- ================================================================= David A. Pike | Silicon Graphics, Inc. davidp@sgi.com | 2011 N. Shoreline Blvd. (415) 962-3110 | Mt. View, CA 94043
tttron@escher.lerc.nasa.gov (William Krauss) (02/06/91)
In article <9101301716.AA00832@aero4.larc.nasa.gov> blbates@AERO4.LARC.NASA.GOV ("Brent L. Bates AAD/TAB MS361 x42854") writes: > > The Kodak unit I saw was model XL 7700 Digital Continuous Tone Printer. >I just got a flier from Kodak on it the other day, looks impressive... It is VERY impressive. > They sent a sample copy, looks like a photo... It probably LOOKED like a photo (but was a print nonetheless). My colleagues inform me (I didn't do the purchase) that the approximate cost was $20k (ballpark) - that's Government rate. The cost per paper color print is a bit less than $4, for transparencies is about $4.50. The price is quite reasonable for the qualtiy output. It also prints a number of image formats inlcuding: rgb, tiff, WHIP, Sun raster, Mimps, Alias, Pixar, X window dump, Targa, Stardent, and RAW binary (probably forgot a few). Anyway, we've used it here at Lewis and the most people are generally astounded at the quality. It's worth investigating. There you have it. -- >>>> William D. Krauss NASA Lewis Research Center <<<< >>>> Graphics Visualization Lab Cleveland, OH 44135 USA <<<< >>>> tttron@escher.lerc.nasa.gov(128.156.1.94) (216) 433-8720 <<<<