Epson UK Press Release 01/03/04

EPSON(r) launches advanced all-in-one home photo centre

The EPSON Stylus Photo RX600 features standalone functionality to make it easy to scan, copy and print quality photos from both digital and analogue sources. Joining the Stylus Photo RX500 in EPSON’s range of all-in-one photo centres, the Stylus Photo RX600 is a premium all-in-one photo centre designed to meet even the most advanced photographic needs.

1st March 2004: Today EPSON extended its all in one range of printers with the introduction of the photography-focussed Stylus Photo RX600. EPSON’s all-in-one photo centre offers an advanced 6-colour printing engine and high performance 2400 dpi scanner that enables users to quickly and easily scan, copy and print high resolution, durable photographs with or without the use of a PC - providing a true home photo-lab which rivals professional photo-lab results.

The Stylus Photo RX600’s 6-colour printer features up to 5760 x 1440 optimized dpi resolution and Variable Sized Droplet Technology delivers droplets as small as 3 picolitres to create intensely detailed images in natural and vibrant colours.  Users can produce BorderFree images on a variety of paper sizes. The printer creates photos and text quickly, delivering a 10” x 15” colour print in around 54 seconds when connected to a PC.  Furthermore, it supports popular digital photo printing standards from cameras that use Print Image Matching (PIM) or Exif.

Ideal for analogue camera users, the Stylus Photo RX600 has a powerful, in-built MatrixCCDTM scanner for capturing and manipulating images from hard-copy photos and film. The scanner has a high resolution of 2400 x 4800 dpi to ensure users capture the finest details of an analogue photo or negative, which in turn is replicated accurately in a digital format. The Stylus Photo RX600 also includes an integrated transparency unit for digitising, restoring and saving film archives. The device also includes image-editing software such as Colour Restoration and Dust Removal functions to augment the quality of images produced, or to restore memories. The ease-of-use of this product is further increased with users being able to access the Colour Restoration tool in standalone mode to cater for every need.

“The launch of our latest all-in-one photo centre is another example of EPSON’s aim to empower creativity by enabling ideas to be brought to life,” says Richard Baylis, Sales and Marketing Manager, Consumer Products, EPSON UK.  “EPSON’s all in one strategy is very clear - we aim to combine our very latest printer and scanner technologies with specific standalone features to create the premium quality all-in-one product.”

The printer uses higher density inks and incorporates light cyan and light magenta to deliver superior detail and improves high light and shadows areas. In addition, EPSON’s ink formulation enhances colour reproduction. The Stylus RX600 dye-based inks provide the best overall durability in real life conditions where the print is exposed to air, light and humidity thus protecting printed photographs from external agents and providing users with long lasting, enduring memories. The Stylus Photo RX600 includes 6 separate ink cartridges to maximise ink yield. Since these individual colour inks can be replaced at any time, economy is maximised lowering the cost of ownership.

The Stylus Photo RX600 has a comprehensive and intuitive onboard control panel that allows users to copy and print photographs without the need for a PC. The device features an integrated 2.5” colour display monitor to preview images from a range of sources including memory cards, digital cameras, external storage and film. This colour monitor is also an easy-to-use user interface for formatting, editing and manipulating images without a PC.

For further standalone operations EPSON has also included support for a range of technologies to provide complete PC-free printing, scanning and copying. These include PictBridge and USB DIRECT-PRINT for printing directly from a wide range of compatible digital cameras. Bluetooth(r) technology is also supported via a new USB adapter, giving users a wireless printing solution from compatible devices such as notebook PCs and Bluetooth enabled mobile phones. Users can also make multiple copies or enlargements by printing directly from film; and can also make back-ups to external media - all without the need to be connected to a PC.

According to GFK the all-in-one printer market has become the fastest growing segment of the total inkjet printer market with a 100% year-on-year growth1. IDC forecasts that all in one devices in Western Europe will reach around 9 million units by 2007.  “EPSON’s strategy is to provide the highest quality all-in-one devices that meet the specific needs of the market - with the Stylus Photo RX600 EPSON believes it has combined all the hardware and software features needed to make this an ideal advanced photo centre,” says Richard Baylis.

Key features include:

* Premium quality photo prints up to 5760 x 1440dpi
* High-resolution 2400 x 4800dpi MatrixCCD scanner and integrated TPU
* EPSON 6-colour photo printing with individual ink cartridges for the best combination of quality and cost efficiency
* Borderless printing on media up to A4 in size for true photo-lab output
* Standalone print, scan and copy functionality removing the need for a PC
* Integrated 2.5” colour display monitor
* New durability ink formulation for the best combination air, light and gas fastness
* Support for 12 memory card types (Adapter required for Mini SD Card and RS-MMC)
* EPSON Scan software offering novice and professional users a range of image manipulation features including Colour Restoration and Dust Removal.
* Stylus Photo RX600 RRP INC VAT ? 279