Epson Starts the Year Off With the Ultimate New Year's Resolution — 1600 x 3200 dpi — in its High Performance Epson Expression 1680 Scanner

Business Wire, Jan 8, 2001

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 8, 2001

New Graphics Scanner Offers Highest Hardware Resolution in its Class,

Along With 48-bit Color and 3.6 Dmax for Incredible Image Quality

Epson America Inc., a leader in high-quality, award-winning imaging products, today unveiled its new Expression 1680, the highest resolution, fastest graphics scanner in its class.

Utilizing Epson's MatrixCCD(TM) and Micro Step(TM) Drive technologies, the Expression 1680 achieves 1600 x 3200 dpi true hardware resolution. This precision coupled with high performance and blazing fast scanning speeds make the Expression 1680 an excellent tool for graphics arts, photography and pre-press professionals.

The Expression 1680 is similar to its predecessor, the award-winning Expression 1600, but offers the addition of an increase in dynamic range to 3.6 Dmax, a higher color bit depth of 48-bit and the inclusion (on three models) of LaserSoft SilverFast Ai 5, an advanced scanning software program.

Available in four cross-platform software configurations, Special Edition, Artist, Professional (Pro) and Professional FireWire (Pro FireWire) models, the Expression 1680 is well suited for a variety of customers.

"The Expression 1680 sets a new standard in image quality and performance as Epson's first scanner to feature the incredible combination of 1600 x 3200 dpi optical resolution, 48-bit color and 3.6 Dmax," said Robert Ozankan, product manager, graphic arts/corporate scanners, Epson.

"With its attractive price, FireWire connectivity and extraordinary results, this scanner is the ideal choice for busy graphics professionals as well as photographers who want a no-compromise solution."

About the Expression 1680

The Expression 1680 features Epson's built-in ColorTrue(TM) II Imaging System -- the custom engineered integration of superior hardware, optics and image processing. Utilizing the ColorTrue II Imaging System, the Expression 1680 produces scans with amazing detail, color accuracy and performance.

The Expression 1680 includes a 1600 dpi CCD sensor and is able to achieve a true hardware resolution of 1600 x 3200 dpi with Epson's Micro Step Drive technology. This technology features a precision stepper motor that enables the Expression 1680 to scan by "half stepping" in the vertical direction, thereby doubling resolution to achieve 3200 dpi.

To provide excellent color accuracy, the Expression 1680 offers 48-bit color depth both internally and externally. The Expression 1680 has a high dynamic range with a Dmax of 3.6 to capture greater detail in highlight and shadow areas for such uses as scanning positive or negative film and slides.

With the Expression 1680's unique Dual-Focus Mechanism, the focal distance can be changed to 2.5 mm above the glass scan bed. This eliminates light refraction and avoids the "Newton Ring" problem common in less sophisticated scanners.

The Expression 1680 is also able to produce scans at incredibly fast speeds. The scanner can create a full color preview in 10 seconds, scan an 8.5" x 11" color photo in under 23 seconds when scanning at 300 dpi and scan a 35 mm slide at 1600 dpi in under 65 seconds. Additionally, the Expression 1680 uses a Xenon cold cathode fluorescent lamp to provide a high intensity light source.

By utilizing this type of light source, the scanner is instantly ready to scan without warm-up time and meets the EPA's Energy Star scanner compliance criteria because of its energy efficiency. When the scanner isn't in use, the lamp automatically turns off, which significantly reduces energy consumption.

Special Edition Model

The Expression 1680 Special Edition model is ideal for software developers, VARs and system integrators, and includes the Epson TWAIN Pro scanner driver, Epson TWAIN Pro for Networks driver and EPSON Scan Server only.

Artist, Pro and Pro FireWire Models

The Artist, Pro and Pro FireWire models contain a robust suite of software including LaserSoft(R) SilverFast(TM) Ai 5, a high-end scanning and imaging software; MonacoEZcolor(TM), a color management utility designed to help calibrate the scanner, monitor and printer properly and easily; Adobe(R) Photoshop LE for image editing; NewSoft(TM) Presto!(R) PageManager(R) for document management; and ScanSoft(R) Textbridge(R) Pro OCR.

To maximize the usability for graphics professionals, photographers and pre-press customers, the Pro model also comes with a transparency unit in the box. For the ultimate graphic arts solution, the Pro FireWire model includes a FireWire card installed in the scanner along with a transparency unit.

LaserSoft SilverFast Ai 5

The Expression 1680 Artist, Pro and Pro FireWire models all include the powerful scanning application, LaserSoft SilverFast Ai 5. This software can be installed as a Photoshop plug-in or TWAIN module and provides an easy-to-use interface offering many image adjustment options in the prescan mode.

SilverFast 5 offers real-time processing to allow all image manipulations to be controlled by a slider control. This unique control updates the image in real time as the user drags the mouse, which offers advantages in color processing, tonal values and gradation correction.