EPSON announces new photo scanner; PhotoPlus provides complete home imaging solution

Business Wire, June 17, 1996

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 17, 1996--EPSON, the creator of high-quality, award-winning imaging products, announced the PhotoPlus color photo scanner at PC Expo Monday.

EPSON's newest entry into image-capture peripherals, the compact PhotoPlus enables home and SOHO computer users to conveniently express themselves with color photos as easily as they do with text and graphics today.

The PhotoPlus provides a fun and easy way to add color photos to everything one can print. In fact, the PhotoPlus, combined with an EPSON ``Photo Quality'' color ink-jet printer, provides an incredible value as an unrivaled home imaging input/output solution.

Exciting Software

The PhotoPlus color scanner features a comprehensive multimedia software suite called the EPSON Create Cool Stuff Fun Pak. This Fun Pak includes EPSON's own PhotoPlus 2.0 image-enhancement software, Sierra's Print Artist 3.0, PrintPaks' Magnet Kit and Corex's CardScan SE.

This robust software bundle enables users to create personalized greeting cards, invitations, signs, stationery, calendars, postcards, screensavers and refrigerator magnets. Additional fun and easy projects include adding special effects such as emboss, mosaic and whirlpool to scanned photos.

Users can also electronically organize their business cards with the PhotoPlus scanner and CardScan software.

Easy to Use

The PhotoPlus is an easy-to-use, easy-to-install scanner that plugs into the computer's parallel port. No additional boards are required.

``People will be amazed at how fun and easy it is to scan images,'' said Frank Romero, assistant product manager, EPSON. ``All they have to do is drop a picture in the photo feeder, launch the software and push the start button. That's all! In less than 60 seconds, the photo is in their computer and they're off to create all kinds of cool stuff!''

To help ensure a great scan every time, the PhotoPlus features EPSON's exclusive ColorTrue image-enhancement system, which automatically adjusts the color balance, saturation and contrast of the scanned photograph. And a unique AutoCrop feature automatically removes any excess scanned areas around the photograph.

The PhotoPlus is extremely flexible, too. It offers users five scanning options: 24-bit color, 8-bit grayscale, line art, business card and handheld scanning. The scanner sells in all major retail distribution channels, with an MSRP of $249 and an expected street price of $199, and will be shipping in late summer.

The EPSON PhotoPlus color photo scanner is part of a growing family of home/SOHO photo-enabling products including the PhotoPC digital camera, ActionScanning System II color flatbed scanner and the Stylus Color line of ink-jet printers.

The PhotoPlus carries a one-year warranty and is supported by the EPSON Connection, a toll-free customer-support and technical- assistance line. For more information on EPSON and its products, call 800/GO-EPSON (800/463-7766) or visit the company's Web site at http://www.epson.com.

EPSON offers an extensive array of image-capture, image-output and portable storage products. For the OEM market, a variety of component and electronic devices is available.

Founded in 1975, Epson America Inc. is an affiliate of Seiko Epson Corp., 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 has headquarters in Torrance. -0-

NOTE TO EDITORS: Brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

CONTACT: EPSON

Nancy Napurski, 310/782-4380

nancy_napurski@ea.epson.com

or

Walt & Co.

Kellie DiNaro, 408/496-0900

kdinaro@walt.com