{"id":712,"date":"2008-01-05T12:53:00","date_gmt":"2008-01-05T17:53:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.soundadviceblog.com\/?p=712"},"modified":"2008-01-05T12:56:21","modified_gmt":"2008-01-05T17:56:21","slug":"sound-advice-week-43-epson-all-in-ones-a-great-pick","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.soundadviceblog.com\/?p=712","title":{"rendered":"Sound Advice Column: Epson all-in-ones a great pick"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sound Advice
\nBy Don Lindich
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\nQ: \u00a0 I like the idea of having the functionality of an all-in-one printer\/scanner\/copier and have been considering buying one. \u00a0 What is holding me back is \u00a0I have heard that if you want to make high quality photo prints, they are not a good choice and I should get a dedicated inkjet photo printer. \u00a0 Do you agree with this? \u00a0 Photography is important to me and if an all-in-one will compromise the quality of my photo prints, I’m not interested.
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\n-Yolanda Beasley, Toronto, ON Canada
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\nA: \u00a0 What you have been hearing is largely true, but it has more to do with the configuration of most models on the market today, not because it has multiple functions. \u00a0 There is no reason an all-in-one can’t produce great photo prints, and \u00a0some of them do- you just have to know what to look for.
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\nThe reason most all-in-ones \u00a0are not optimal for photo printing is \u00a0most models have a 4-color ink system. \u00a0 \u00a0Photo prints made \u00a0with \u00a04-color printers \u00a0can certainly look good, \u00a0 but having only four colors \u00a0limits the tonal graduation and \u00a0color gamut \u00a0of the printer- simply put, fine details and nuances of color are lost. \u00a0 \u00a0If you compare 4-color inkjet prints to those \u00a0made with a 6-color printer you will clearly see the difference. \u00a0 You should remember this whether buying either a printer or an all-in-one and look for a six (or more) color model if photographic printing is important to you.
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\nI recently tested Epson’s Stylus Photo RX580 all-in-one and am happy to report it is an oustanding performer in all respects. \u00a0The RX580 \u00a0uses Epson’s Claria Hi-Definition inks, rated to last 98 years in display conditions and 200 years in an album. \u00a0 Take those figures with a grain of salt as it is unlikely any of us will be around in 98 or 200 \u00a0years to verify it, suffice it to say the prints are long lasting and durable. \u00a0 I can also vouch from experience that the prints \u00a0look fantastic, with bright, brilliant colors \u00a0with detail and depth that look extremely realistic and \u00a0natural.
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\nScanning and copying tasks are also handled very well. \u00a0 Epson’s scanning software has both an easy scanning mode and an advanced mode for more critical work, and the scans themselves are sharp with accurate color. \u00a0 It prints on CDs and DVDs and has a built-in memory card reader and LCD display for printing directly from memory cards. \u00a0
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\nThe RX580 \u00a0is being phased out and will be replaced \u00a0by models RX595 and RX680. \u00a0 \u00a0Both use the same Claria ink system and should perform just as well, if not better than the RX580. \u00a0I have seen RX580s for sale online and in stores for $149 or less, so if you look you should be able to find one, or simply opt for the RX595 or RX680. \u00a0 The RX595 retails for $149 and the RX680 for $199. \u00a0 Overall they are great values and hard to beat for the convenience, functionality and high performance they all offer, for not much more than a good scanner or printer.
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\nTo make your photo printing easier, stick with photo paper made by the printer’s manufacturer, no matter what \u00a0printer you own. \u00a0 The printer driver’s paper presets will be set for it, making it easier to get good results, and the inks and paper themselves are chemically formulated to work well together.<\/p>\n