Testing the new Ultra Fast Mitsubishi CP-9800DW Digital Photo Printer

We put to the New Mitsubishi Ultra-Fast CP-9800DW Digital Photo Printer to the test

We have finally received Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America’s new long awaited CP-9800DW digital photo printer. We couldn’t wait to put it to the test and see if indeed it is as impressive and as fast as the manufacturer claims. The CP-9800 release was announced at the PMA 2007 in Las Vegas.

The CP9800DW features a high-speed USB 2.0 interface and a new high grade media identified by the letter HG at the end of the product code. This new media offers deeper black tones, improved color depth and smear-free gradation with every print.

One important point is that even if the new media is truly new and improved you can still use the media from your previous 9000 series printer (CP-9000DW, CP-9500DW or CP-9550DW) which will allow the end user to decide whether or not they choose to carry both medias (the old media is also less expensive than the newer improved HG media).

One of the most important new features of the new printer of course is speed. Thanks to its new and improved engine you can print a 4” x 6” (10x15 cm) photo in as little as 8 seconds and batch printing enables output of 400 prints per hour. This ultra fast speed puts the 9800 up there next to the Sony UPDR-150, Shinko CHC-S2145, ICI-Olmec OP1000 and Kodak 6850 as one of the fastest printers on the market. That high-speed output allows the printer to compete against any photo lab, just imagine that with 3 printers you can produce over 1200 prints per hour.

The unit also offers more vivid images, subtle color gradations and realistic skin tone reproduction; this is the result of the 9800DW color management engine technology. Based on Mitsubishi’s adaptive thermal-head management engine, the unit’s color management engine technology features a 300 dpi high-density thermal head for clean, defined and consistent picture production. A protective film applied to the head should enhance durability, while back-layer ink sheet diminishes wear.

The CP-9800DW also offer versatility by offering four print sizes (3.5” x 5”, 4” x 6”, 5” x 7”, and 6” x 9”) with edge-to-edge printing, all of which print at speeds faster than ever before. Features also include a jam-free, roll-type mechanism, and easy-to-use front access for loading the media and ink sheet.

The CP-9800DW, with an MSLP price of $2,595, is indubitably a great improvement making this new machine even better than the very successful CP-9550DW. All Mitsubishi digital photo printers are backed by Mitsubishi’s Express Replacement Assistance program, which guarantees replacement product to be shipped within 24 hours of a claim (in the continental USA).

If you are in the market to buy a new printer and both speed and quality are decisive factors, then yes we definitely recommend you to consider this new technology wonder.

Epson launches the world’s first 64 inches (162.50 cm) the Stylus Pro 11880 to feature Epson’s latest print head technology and ink

Following the recent release of 60 inches (152 cm) wide format inkjet printers from Canon and Hewlett-Packard, Epson has now released a 64" model the Epson Stylus Pro 11880 printer. The Epson 11880 is the first time Epson is releasing a printer wider than their very successful 44" (112 cm) size, the Epson 9800, (and previously Epson 9600, Epson 10000, and Epson 10600). This is a benefit to those who prefer the quality and track record of the Epson brand name, but need the extra width. The Canon and HP printers are only 60" wide, the Epson 11880 offers an additional four inches (10 cm) in width which could prove to be a deciding factor in consumer decision making. It makes sense is that if you can choose between two relatively similar printers at the same price; why not invest your money into a printer that offers larger capability.The truth is that none of these wide format printers from Canon, HP, and Epson are similar at all. Granted, the purpose of them and the market they serve is similar, but the technical makeup and capabilities of the printers vary quite drastically. The Epson 11880 was specifically developed to address a few key technological voids when compared to earlier printer model releases.
First of all The Stylus Pro 11880 includes the latest Micro print head for higher printing performance and is optimized for pigment ink technology call: the Piezo Thin Film Piezo (TFP). The new Micro Piezo TFP™ print head fulfils all the requirements of a professional printer – quality, durability and speed. The nozzle density has increased from 180 to 360 dpi for each color; the world’s highest for an inkjet print head using piezoelectric technology. Epson has doubled the number of nozzles on the print head, while maintaining the same size of ink droplet and accelerated print speeds. Despite the microscopic size of its elements, this new generation Micro Piezo head retains all the advantages of the current print head, including Variable-sized Droplet Technology. Meniscus control helps to produce perfectly spherical dots and manages the degree of droplet impact. It also improves the speed of jetting, further enhancing the print speed.
The Stylus Pro 11880 incorporates nine 700ml high capacity individual ink cartridges, with automatic switching between Photo & Matte Black inks, and also ink status LED’s for each cartridge. First, it prints both matte black ink and photo black ink at the same time, without needing to swap out Epson 11880 ink cartridges. A new Vivid Magenta ink cartridge expands the color gamut and is a real improvement in pigment chemistry. The full inkset includes: photo black, matte black, light black, light light black, cyan, light cyan, yellow, vivid magenta and vivid light magenta. The two magenta inks use new high-density pigments that create more vibrant color, especially blues and magenta, for example those found in seascapes or landscapes. Both photo black and matte black cartridges are installed at the same time so there is no need to exchange. The most suitable black ink is automatically chosen depending on the media type used. The UltraChrome K3 ink with Vivid Magenta enables superb grey balance and precise color without any color cast. It also maintains the best features of the UltraChrome K3 ink such as great color accuracy of neutral and dark colors, excellent short-term color stability and smooth tonal gradation from shadow to light. Metamerism is virtually eliminated with this new inkset (Metamerism is when two color samples with different spectral power distributions appears to be the same color when viewed side by side). The permanent Epson Micro Piezo print head also offers unrivalled consistency in each print. Every print will be the same as the first, even if the artwork is printed months apart, making it ideal for studios producing limited edition print runs.
The Epson 11880, as well as its smaller width siblings which will be released shortly after, the Epson 9880 (44"), Epson 7880 (24"), Epson 4880 (17"), will allow for a technician fitted internal spectrophotometer installation which should cost around $1,500 USD. The Stylus Pro 11880 is compatible with a wide range of Epson media up to 1.5mm in thickness, including glossy paper, matte paper, matte board, fine art paper and plain paper. It features an automatic take-up reel to support heavy-duty production for improved usability. It will also support flexible paper handling for cut sheet printing from A3 up to 64”. The optional paper basket stores prints cleanly and securely.
Next, the printing speed is drastically improved. The Epson Stylus Pro 11880 is expected to more than double the speed of the Epson 9800, therefore making it a powerhouse within production environments. Given the high speed of the Canon and HP printers, the Epson 11880 will now attract the high volume printing. The new Gigabit Ethernet interface delivers fast data transfer speeds, up to 10 times faster than the previous 100 mps card, coupled with the on-board data processing module. Epson also introduce a new screening algorithm to further improve image tone and definition call: Super Halftone technology. This combination of features and inkset make the Stylus Pro 11880 the most advanced digital large format printer on the market.
Epson is banking on features like these to propel the Epson 11880 far past the recent wide format printer releases from HP and Canon. Given the existing market share and general adoration for the Epson brand due to its blatant first-mover advantage into the giclee printing segment, most expect the Epson Stylus Pro 11880 to dominate the 60" printer segment.

Epson Stylus Pro 11880 key features and schedule summary:
Professional paper handling up to 64” wide 162.50 centimeters.
Consistent output with Epson Micro Piezo TFP™ Print head Technology
High-density Epson UltraChrome K3™ with Vivid Magenta Ink Technology
Standard USB 2.0, and Gigabit Ethernet interface
Flexible paper handling with roll or cut-sheet media from A3 / tabloid up to 64”/162.5 cm wide. BorderFree™ roll printing from 10” up to 64” wide
Accepts media up to 1.5 mm thick poster board
Productive printing with built-in automatic media cutting system and take-up reel system
Record information about paper with media bar code tracking and identification system
Superior image processing with Epson Super Halftone Screening Technology
Easy to use and maintain with Auto Ink Droplet Detection System
High-quality printing with maximum resolution of 2880 x 1440 dpi
Nine individual high-capacity ink cartridges – 700 ml
Automatic change from photo black to matte black
Pressurized ink cartridge technology
High-performance print engine speeds
Large 2.5” back lit LCD control panel
Ink status LED system
The following dates apply to the Stylus Pro 4880, 7880, 9880 and 11880: Scheduled Ship: October 2007

Ink Cartridge Information:
With the introduction of the Stylus Pro 4880, 7880, 9880 and 11880, Epson will consolidate product codes for efficiency. Other than the ink formulation differences between Vivid Magenta/Vivid Light Magenta and Magenta/Light Magenta, the other inks formulations are not changed in any way, just the consolidation of product codes.
All current ink product codes for the Stylus Pro 4880, 7880 and 9880 will transition to the new codes during the month of August as current ink product inventory is depleted.
The new Stylus Pro 4880, 7880 and 9880 will only be compatible with the newly introduced ink product codes.
Magenta and Light Magenta ink product codes will only be compatible with the Stylus Pro 4880/7880/9880.
Vivid Magenta and Vivid Light Magenta ink product codes are only compatible with the Stylus Pro 4880/7880/9880/11880.
For more information, see the Ink Product Code Transition Matrix
Service Plan and Accessory Information: Service Plans and some accessories for the Stylus Pro 4880, 7880 and 9880 are compatible with the existing Stylus Pro 4800, 7800 and 9800 printer product codes, please see product setup sheets for a complete list of service plans, accessories, ink and media for these products.
For more information, see the 4880 Setup Sheet, 7880 Setup Sheet, 9880 Setup Sheet and 11880 Setup Sheet

We tested 17 Professional Dye Sub Photo Printers, starting at $150 to $2890. Some are very similar; some are indeed very different and unique. Of course, depending on what you are planning to do, you should look at different aspects of those professional photo printers. If you are a professional photographer with substantial profit margins you might be looking more at quality and functionality, where as if you are a retail outlet you might be more interested in cost per print, speed and multiple image sizes. In order to be objective and impartial, we focused in characteristics that could be measured: Cost per Print and Speed.