Conference hydra::amiga_v1

656.0. "LJ25X PRINTER" by POLAR::GOSLING (And there he was - gone!) Wed Aug 19 1987 12:39

       O.K. who is going to be the first kid on the block to own one?
       
       For those not receiving Sales Update, we just announced (August
       10, 1987 issue) the LJ250/LJ252 (2 being the parallel I/F flavour)
       Companion Color Printers.  Product description, and other
       information, is quoted as follows:
       
       "The Companion Color Printers can print up to seven pure colors --
       including black -- and up to 255 mixed colors.  Text printing is
       high-quality, while graphics display clear, bright colors with
       remarkable clarity and definition.  The Color Companion Printers'
       print resolution, at 180 by 180 dots-per-inch, is better than most
       dot-matrix printers.
       
       Color graphics are fast, at typically 2-4 minutes per page
       (depending on image complexity).  For black text printing, the
       speed is even greater: 167 characters per second (char/s) burst
       speed, 90 char/s throughput speed.  And for both printing
       functions, the Color Companion Printers are unbelievably quiet --
       less than 45 dBA. (It is even quieter than the LN03 laser
       printer!)
       
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       SOFTWARE SUPPORT
       
       o Compatible with Digital's LA75, LA210, LN03, LA50 and LA100
         printers
       o Full printing support for ReGIS-based graphics applications
         through the newly developed RETOS (ReGIS to Sixels Convertor)
         host-based software {also announced in this Sales Update - A.G}
       
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       Also offered:
       
       o Built-in support for the Hewlett Packard HP-PCL protocol....When
         using the Color Companion Printers in the HP-PCL protocol mode,
         the user should select application software packages that
         support the HP-PCL Protocol, ensuring that the printer driver
         within these packages supports either the Digital Color
         Companion Printers or the HP PaintJet (HP3630A)."
       
       
       MLP = $1,695
       BMC = $11
       Availability - September 1987.
       
       I also have a copy of the "color" brochure, and if the color
       plates have not been touched, than the color output from this
       printer looks great!
       
       Do we have a driver for the HP3630A?
       
       Art
       

    I was invloved in a field trial for the LJ250. Highly recomended!!!
    Absolutly beautiful output. At this site was using the printer/plotter
    to plot out the graphics from RS/1.
    
    The LA50 driver would probably be able handle the LJ250 with the
    mods to add color support of course. The LJ250 uses SIXEL to do
    graphics. The text output is perfect. This is one printer that would
    do any task asked of it.                   
    
    It was on-line 24hrs a day for about 2 months without a burp
    
    One added advantage. It is incredibly quiet
    
    I cannot wait for this to show up on the Employee DIscount LIst.
    Any idea how long that takes? At the discount rate this printer
    would be a steal.
    
    <jim

    
    Well, since it's a device we'll all want it wont' show up on the
    DEPP list until, oh, let's say December. (of 2001 that is!)
    
    There's a parellel version of the printer as well. Would it work
    on the Amiga as well?
    
    -Ray
    

    The LJ250/252 seems to be aimed squarely at the PC/Workstation user.
    It is a low volume/high quality printer/plotter. The documentation
    which came with the demo unit clearly stated how to hook it up to
    PC's and VTXXX as slave printer units.
    
    It is about the same size as the LA75.
    
    I found the unit very easy to set up and use. Loading the ink
    cartridges was very easy. Long term maintenance also looked very
    easy.
    
    I would image that the parellel port is there for the simple fact
    that most PC printers are parellel. Anyhow, parellel or serial the
    control codes are the same. To the Amiga it will be a simple mouse
    click in printer preferences.
    
    I found the output for simple graphs and charts very similar to
    the LCP01. The customer did some head to head comparisons between
    the LCP01 and LJ250 and felt the the Lj250 was the winner based
    on a price performance basis. The LCP01 weighs in at about $14K
    with LJ250 at about $1.6K. They both produced charts in about the
    same time. The felt it would be more productive to buy some 10 LJ250's
    and put the printers where there engineers could easily get at them
    ( namely on thier desks). Being so quiet they would add very little
    to the normal clatter around the office.
    
    I know as soon as I saw it, I started imagining how it would do
    on the amiga. As soon as it shows up on DEPP, I am going to find
    out.
    
    <Jim