Epson PictureMate
Review Date: April 4th 2005
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Features
The Epson PictureMate allows you to print directly from your camera's memory card. 9 memory card formats are supported - CompactFlash (I&II), xD-Picture Card, SmartMedia, SD Memory Card, MultiMediaCard, Magic Gate Memory Stick, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, IBM Microdrive formats. An adapter is required for Mini SD Card and Memory Stick Duo cards. There are three memory card slots on the front of the Epson PictureMate - only one can be used at a time. The memory card slots also act like a card reader when the Epson PictureMate is connected to a computer - you can insert your card and copy data from it onto your computer. You can also save the contents of your memory cards direct to compatible external CD-R and Zip Drives.
Alternatively you can use a USB cable to connect a PictBridge or USB DIRECT-PRINT enabled device directly to the Epson PictureMate. If you have used DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) on your camera to select which images you want to print, the Epson PictureMate will recognise this when you insert the memory card or connect the camera directly and automatically print the images. Using the optional Bluetooth Adapter, you can make prints from any Bluetooth compatible device, such as a PDA or cameraphone.
There is a monochrome LCD screen on the Epson PictureMate which allows you to select images for printing. Surrounding the LCD screen are a number of external controls that allow you to change the printer's settings. As mentioned above, there is a single USB 1.1 port on the rear of the Epson PictureMate that allows you to connect it to a digital camera for direct printing. There is another USB 1.1 port on the rear which allows the Epson PictureMate to connect to a computer. Also on the rear is the power cord connection. The Epson PictureMate weighs 2.7 kgs and its dimensions are 256 x 154 x 163mm.
The Epson PictureMate that I reviewed was supplied with a comprehensive User Guide, Quick Install Guide, Epson PicturePack containing 100 sheets of paper and a PhotoCartridge, a power supply cable, AC adapter and a CD-ROM containing the PictureMate software. Although not essential for this type of printer, it would be good if a USB cable was supplied too.
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