Brother Introduces Next Generation Color MFC with Versatile PhotoCapture Center Feature for Digital Media

Business Wire, Sept 26, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

BRIDGEWATER, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 26, 2002

Advanced MFC-5200c Features Faster Printing and Fax Speeds and

Includes Card Slots for Memory Stick(TM), CompactFlash(TM), and

SmartMedia(TM)

Brother International Corporation today announced that its successful flatbed color MFC-9200c will be replaced with a newer generation that builds on the features and success of its predecessor.

The new 6-in-1 MFC-5200c comes standard with Brother's upgraded PhotoCapture Center(TM) feature, enabling consumers to print color photos and images from a wide range of digital media including the Sony(R) Memory Stick(TM), CompactFlash(TM) and SmartMedia(TM) cards. As a 6-in-1 Multi-Function Center(R) machine, the MFC-5200c also features a color printer, color fax, color copier, color scanner and PC fax. It will begin shipping early October and will have an estimated street price of $399.

Featuring one of the fastest rated print speeds of comparable color MFP models on the market today, the MFC-5200c reaches up to 20ppm for monochrome printing and up to 16ppm for color. It also supports photo quality printing with resolutions of up to 2400 x 1200 dpi and comes with Brother's exclusive True2Life(TM) advanced color enhancement technology.

In addition to its faster printer speed, the MFC-5200c also features the fast SuperG3 33.6k bps modem. This model also has the ability to send and receive color faxes to/from other fax units that have the ITU-T30E standard for color faxing. It also includes both a USB and parallel interface for compatibility with both the Windows(R) and Mac operating systems.

The MFC-5200c utilizes an economical, individual 4-ink cartridge system to minimize wasted ink versus competitor's tri-color cartridges. With this design, only the depleted color needs to be replaced rather than all three. The result is a greater savings on consumables over the life of the machine.

"The demand for multi-function peripherals has shown high growth over the past two years and all indications are that this trend will continue well into the coming years," says Keith Kmetz, Director of Multifunction Peripherals and Output Solutions at International Data Corporation. "Consumer and SOHO interest in flatbed design models like the Brother MFC-5200c is especially strong."

"Our development focus was specifically designed to take advantage of important trends developing in the market as well as addressing consumer demands for this category. The popularity of flatbed models, and the continued interest in digital photo printing were big factors here," said Don Cummins, Vice President of Marketing. "The MFC-5200c clearly addresses the combination of all the prevailing market trends while also ramping up the features commonly found in this category of product, all at a great price."

In addition to its fast 33.6k bps modem, the MFC-5200c comes with a 30-page document feeder, 100-sheet paper capacity, 100 auto dial locations, and a huge 8MB memory for up to 480 pages for out of paper reception. With other features like Dual Access, 3 second per page Quickscan, JPEG compression, and broadcasting, the MFC-5200c is a unit that rivals the best stand-alone fax machines.

Color copying is simple, and no PC is required. Producing quick color copies with this model could not be easier. The MFC-5200c can copy in vibrant colors at up to 1200 x1200 dpi. The reduction and enlargement ratios have a range from 25% to 400% and can be varied in 1% increments.

Another of the convenient functions provided by the MFC-5200c is a high quality color scanner. It has up to 9600 dpi interpolated resolution (600 x 2400 dpi optical) and 36-bit color depth. Three, easy to use scan buttons are dedicated to scan the document and automatically launch your primary email, image or OCR applications. Also bundled with the MFC-5200c are ScanSoft(TM) PaperPort(R) and TextBridge(R) OCR software.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOCAPTURE CENTER FUNCTIONS

The PhotoCapture Center feature includes a "Scan-to-Card" function, which allows for documents to be easily scanned from the platen or feeder and then stored and retrieved from a media card. With an optional network print/fax server(1), the MFC-5200c offers network printing, "Scan-to-LAN", Internet FAX functions and Brother Network PC Fax send capabilities.(a) When connected using the network option, The PhotoCapture Center function also allows users to view and download files stored on a card from any computer on the LAN using a standard web browser.

A COMMUNICATION CENTER ON THE DESKTOP

Brother is also introducing the new sheet-fed color Multi-Function Center MFC-3200c, as a step-up model to its currently successful MFC-3100c. Designed for the consumer that does not require the flatbed functionality, the MFC-3200c is a 5-in-1 color printer, color fax, color copier, color scanner and PC Fax. This unit also comes with a convenient telephone handset.

The MFC-3200c has rated print speeds of up to 10ppm for black / 8ppm for color. Its paper handling includes a 100 sheet paper capacity, Dual Access and Quickscan features. Like the MFC-5200c, it too has a large 8MB memory for up to 480 pages of out of paper reception.