Epson USA Press Release 28/06/04

New Epson Perfection Scanners Feature Photo Restoration Capabilities and Amazing Image Quality

LONG BEACH, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—June 28, 2004—EPSON Perfection(R) 4180 Photo, Perfection 2580 Photo and Perfection 2480 Photo are the Latest Additions to Epson’s Affordably-Priced Scanner Line Up

The newest scanners to make their debut—the EPSON Perfection 4180 Photo, Perfection 2580 Photo and Perfection 2480 Photo—each offer a performance-rich set of features at incredibly affordable prices. These new models offer an impressive combination of image quality, versatility and innovative photo restoration software at prices ranging from $99 up to $199. Epson is known for delivering high-quality products to a variety of customers and its latest offerings to the scanner market are no exception.

All three models offer high-resolution scanning for amazing quality, with true maximum hardware resolutions of 4800 x 9600 dpi on the EPSON Perfection 4180 Photo, and 2400 x 4800 dpi on the EPSON Perfection 2580 Photo and 2480 Photo models. Each of these new scanners also includes the second generation of Epson Easy Photo Fix(TM) technology, which provides customers with precise one-touch color restoration of faded photos, slides and negatives, and one-touch dust removal from slides and negatives. Customers who have held on to treasured photographs can scan and restore those images with confidence and ease.
 

“Epson realizes how important our customers’ old photographs can be, and we know that many of these precious memories have faded over time,” said Grace Huang, product manager, consumer scanners, Epson. “By using Epson scanners with Epson Easy Photo Fix technology, customers can restore and preserve their treasured photographs more easily and quickly than ever with one of the best solutions available on the market today.”

The EPSON Perfection 4180 Photo
The EPSON Perfection 4180 Photo is a high-quality consumer scanner combining maximum hardware resolution of 4800 x 9600 dpi and 3.4 Dmax along with an affordable price. This scanner is ideal for advanced amateur photographers or photo enthusiasts with its built-in adapter that allows for scanning multiple 35mm slides, negatives and 2 1/4” transparencies. The scanner has the ability to create stunning color reprints and enlargements with ease, and is especially convenient for scanning and restoring old photographs with Epson Easy Photo Fix technology.

In addition to the Epson Easy Photo Fix technology, the scanner offers fully automatic scanning for increased productivity, plus two advanced scanning modes for greater control. Users will also benefit from a full-featured software solution that includes Adobe(R) PhotoShop(R) Elements 2.0, ABBYY(R) FineReader Sprint OCR, NewSoft(TM) Presto!(R) BizCard, as well as the Epson Scan driver and Epson Smart Panel(TM).

The Perfection 4180 Photo will be available in August for an estimated street price of $249 ($199 after a $50 rebate), and can be purchased through Epson authorized dealers, consumer electronic stores, mail order and on the Epson Store Web site (www.epsonstore.com). For added versatility, this scanner model also offers an optional automatic document feeder (ADF) for an estimated street price of $149.

The EPSON Perfection 2580 Photo
The EPSON Perfection 2580 Photo is perfect for digitizing and restoring stacks of negatives in just a few simple steps with its easy-to-use Auto Film Loader. This new feature is located directly on the top of the scanner lid and enables customers to quickly scan and view individual frames of 35mm negatives. With Epson Easy Photo Fix technology included with the scanner, it’s the ideal combination for being able to once again enjoy all of those cherished photos.

This scanner model is especially convenient for producing 8” x 10” enlargements with its maximum hardware resolution of 2400 x 4800 dpi for capturing and reproducing images with incredible detail and accuracy.

To add to this scanner’s convenience, a Multi Photo and Business Card Feeder is available as an option for an estimated street price of $149. This device offers customers the ability to organize and digitize their photos and business cards simply and quickly. The Multi Photo and Business Card Feeder can scan up to 24 business cards and up to 24 photos (sizes as large as 4” x 6”).

The Perfection 2580 Photo also includes a selection of user-friendly software such as ArcSoft(R) PhotoImpression(TM), ABBYY(R) FineReader(R) Sprint OCR, NewSoft(TM) Presto!(R) BizCard, Epson Scan with Epson Easy Photo Fix and Epson Smart Panel.

The EPSON Perfection 2580 Photo will be available in August for an estimated street price of $149 and can be purchased through Epson authorized dealers, consumer electronic stores, mail order and on the Epson Store Web site (www.epsonstore.com).

The EPSON Perfection 2480 Photo
This scanner model is the most affordable in the latest Epson line of scanners, yet there is no compromise on the quality. The Perfection 2480 Photo offers all of the same great software and high-quality features that are available with the Perfection 2580 Photo, with the exception of the Auto Film Loader. This scanner includes a built-in transparency adapter for added versatility and can scan 35mm film (up to three frames per strip) or two slides.

The Perfection 2480 Photo will be available in July for an estimated street price of $99 and can be purchased through Epson authorized dealers, consumer electronic stores, mail order and on the Epson Store Web site (www.epsonstore.com). The Multi Photo and Business Card Feeder is also available as an option for the Perfection 2480 Photo for an additional $149.

Connectivity and Compatibility
All three of these new scanner models offer Hi-Speed USB 2.0 for fast scanning of important photos, documents, slides and negatives, and are compatible with most Windows and Macintosh systems.

More about EPSON Easy Photo Fix Technology
It is estimated that there are billions of photographs in existence either being stored in albums, frames or shoeboxes that unfortunately show signs of fading or have already faded. There are several factors which can cause photos to fade, including original processing chemicals, paper types and various environmental factors. These fading memories can be easily and affordably restored with the improved Epson Easy Photo Fix software in the new EPSON Perfection 4180 Photo, Perfection 2580 Photo and Perfection 2480 Photo scanners. Customers simply scan an image and click on a check box for instant color restoration or dust removal. Epson Easy Photo Fix makes this process effortless because it is incorporated into the Epson Scan driver.

The software has three different user modes: Full Auto mode, which automatically scans at pre-determined settings for entry-level users; Home mode, which offers some pre-set recommended settings for the advanced amateur; and Professional mode, which is completely manual to give the advanced user more control.

Customer Support
Carrying a one-year limited warranty, the EPSON Perfection line of scanners is supported by the EPSON Connection, a customer support and technical assistance line. For more information on Epson and its products, call 1-800-GO-EPSON (1-800-463-7766) or visit the Epson website at www.epson.com.

About Epson
Epson offers an extensive array of award-winning image capture and image output products for the consumer, business, photography and graphic arts markets. The company is also a leading supplier of value-added point-of-sale (POS) printers and transaction terminals for the retail market. Founded in 1975, Epson America, Inc. is the U.S. affiliate of Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, a global manufacturer and supplier of high-quality technology products that meet customer demands for increased functionality, compactness, systems integration and energy efficiency. Epson America, Inc. is headquartered in Long Beach.

Note: Epson is a registered trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation. EPSON Perfection is a registered trademark and Epson Easy Photo Fix is a trademark and Epson Connection is a service mark of Epson America, Inc. Third-party and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.