What is the best printer for direct DVD printing?

[higgins]

Hi I am interested in purchasing a printer to print on to the surface of a DVD.

What is everyone using here?

The Epson R210 and Cannon i865 seem to be popular. Can i please have some feedback from people who own these?

I am mainly concerned with

1. Running Cost
2. Quality
3. Price

Oh and I am located in Melbourne Australia.

Regards

Tim

[Denvers Dawgs]

I have the R200 and love it! Cost me $85 from Bestbuy quality is great. both on photo paper, and on dvds. Well I just noticed your in Australia so assumong you have no Best Buy stores. It is a good investment thoug.

[anaboland]

having owed epson and canon disc printers, i would say buy the canon,
i owe a i865 and i965 and an epson which now lives in the loft.

The canon printers are more reliable than the epsons, no matter what ink carts(epson or compatible) you use with epsons sooner or later you will start to get print head problems and once this starts you might as well trash it, you just waste so much ink its unreal, i know i spent many hours trying to get mine to print correctly.

In the end i gave up and got a canon which uses a different type of printhead and have never had a problem since, the carts are so easy to refill no chip resetter and they run faultless with good quality refill ink, just drill a little hole in the top of them, fill them up, plug the hole and pop them back in, NO Purging needed, NO airlocked printheads.

This my experience but do yourself a favour and do a search with yahoo.com worded something along the lines BLOCKED EPSON PRINTHEADS and see what you get, i'm only one of many hundreds maybe thousands of people that have had the same problems.

Infact it was a similar search that convinced me to try a canon because on several of the sites i visited there were posts asking "why canons don't seem to suffer from printhead problems ?"

The print quality is A1

[arrived03]

myself & a few friends have the canon i865 & it is just brilliant , we use generic ink cartridges that we buy from the local computer fair for $5 to $6 each & they work fantastic , i have printed over 900 cd's without a hitch. canon has actually replaced the i865 with the new pixma 4000 , they also have a cheaper version that prints on cd's , the pixma 3000 . the new range actually has its own cd slot , which should make life a little easier.

[garryheather]

I've never had any problems with print head clogging on Epsons, including my 870 which has been fed generic ink for quite some time now.

I've also got an R200 on the go at the moment and the results when printing on to discs with a little thought can be stunning.

[anaboland]

hi, just found this site and it sums up my experiences with all the epsons i've owned, symptoms and cures, but who needs the hassle?

http://www.inkmagic.com/epson_clogged_printhead.htm

cheers.

[onewaypockets]

I too am interested in getting away from the dreaded "sticky labels". The labels seem to be working fine for now, but I fear the future.

I cannot seem to find the i865 or i965 at Buy.com, Newegg, or Amazon. Are these current models or foreign designations?

Are there current Canon models that can print on CD/DVD instead?

Can they print on shiny DVD surfaces, or do I have to buy printable media???

[jimmalenko]

I got the i865 for $285.00 about 6 months ago and have been very impressed. I bought 500ml of each colour from an ink refiller for $250.00 all up and refill the cartidges myself. Given that each cartridge takes 15ml, I have practically bought 33 cartridges of each color, which @$20.00, means I've saved shitloads of cash.

[overloaded_ide]

I would but a Cannon myself, but not available in the USA for some reason.

I have a Canon I 850s I use for everything EXCEPT disks, only because it does not do disks, if it did I would not have any other printer!!

As mentioned by another member, easy to refill, excellent quality, they last for ever, and rarely clog heads. Mine never has and I refilled the original carts many many many time in the last almost 2 years! I do tons of printing, much more than the normal person!

The R200 epson sold in the US is good too, but I would take a Canon any day if I could get it, and I will be finding one soon!

[iooi]

One of the main reasons behind epson's blocking their heads is user abuse in NOT turning the printer off while not in use.
I used to be on of these and left my printer on 24/7 had no end of troubles with heads blocking. Was advised by someone in the know that when not in use turn it off..... Never had a problem with blocked heads since.

[onewaypockets]

myself & a few friends have the canon i865 & it is just brilliant , we use generic ink cartridges that we buy from the local computer fair for $5 to $6 each & they work fantastic , i have printed over 900 cd's without a hitch. canon has actually replaced the i865 with the new pixma 4000 , they also have a cheaper version that prints on cd's , the pixma 3000 . the new range actually has its own cd slot , which should make life a little easier.

I have explored all the websites I could find. The i865 and i965 seem to be only non-USA models for some reason. Sure wish I could find them in the USA.

The Pixma 3000 and 4000 do not print on CD/DVD media from what I can read. Can you provide a link that shows the 3000 with disc printing features???

Thanks...

[anaboland]

yes that is one reason and any inkjet should not be left turned on for long periods, but mine was turned on and off as required and never left for more than a day or two between prints, so it was not the cause of my problems,and still does not completely solve the issue for many epson users.

If i had to choose between 2 makes of printer both giving similar quality at a similar price would it not make more sence to choose the one with fewer known issues, the epson printhead issue is a well known problem with no definitive prevention or cure.

At the end of the day everybody just wants to plug the thing in and print without having to get upto their elbows in ink.

sorry if i seem biased but myself and friends have wasted so much time, ink, paper, sweat, patience, and hours reading peoples posts on the subject and never really found any answers.

Epsons are excellent printers i own one, but when you buy one be aware of the issues, buy alot of tissue paper, 500ml printhead cleaner, some rubber tubing and a syringe and wait for the streaks .

ahh forgot the rubber gloves.

only joking, some models may be more prone to problems than others, i don't know and it really doesn't bother me anymore i just use my canon, anyway i'm going for a pint.

Cheers

[banger298]

just for your interest i have just got my C44back online which has been sat around for 6 months ,off not been used(got new r200to replace it) a little cleaning with cleaning fluide and cartridges works fine now always used generic ink on it and refilled them . my R200uses the same ink and is cleaned the same way and both work great (C44 over 12 months old, R200 6months old) its how you look after them that maters

[overloaded_ide]

its how you look after them that maters

Partly but not intirely! My nearly 2yr old Cannon I850 has many many thousands of pages now, has never had a problem! No clogged heads, never feeds more than one sheet at a time etc...

It works perfect every time all the time just as when brand new!

The Thousands of pages is not an exageration either, in one week I printed 1,000 flyers for a theater play, tickets, and all my normal printing also. I don't honestly remember ever cleaning the heads, I may have once or twice but I don't remember it if I did. I use good generic ink for refilling and still using the same cartriges the printer came with new.

I live in the country off a dirt road, dust everywhere. Thats' the only mantanaince my Canon has had, wiping the dust of the top, trays etc...

Maybe it never clogs a head simply because it seldom stops printing long enough to clog

So based on that, I would take a Canon any day over any other brand. I have burned out many printers really fast and even if covered with a wauntee it's a hassle to get em fixed or replaced just to have them die fast again.

My Epson 1520 wide format printer is a pain! I had it printing perfect, then went to print a poster for the play I did all those flyers for and the heads were clogged. By the time I got it printing good again after much problems I got one poster and a few smaller pages and my $27 cartrig is showing out of ink!!

So far no problems with the R200, but I would buy a Canon too anyway if I could.

[bigphillip]

hi all i have the epson r210 printer and i guess i have printer well over 800 cds and dvds no problems yet my epson printer is first class i recently changed from canon to epson due to canons bad run on printers i have had 4 brand new canon printers in the lasy 18 months all of which had problems the store finally allowed me to swap it to an epson printer and i have not looked back since at all the canon printers i had were all major hassles i am never buying a canon printer again

signed phillip cole

[overloaded_ide]

What kind of problem were you having with Canons? Were they disk printers and not feeding well or something? I have the one Canon I have abused with so much printing and it's like new still, and I have a second I bought as a spare 2 weeks after buying the first one I liked it so much. The spare is now in my office since I never needed it here at home because the first one never broke! I normally burn out a printer in about 6 months sometimes less. Xerox and HP etc... Nothing ever lasted this long or worked as well.

And a question for you guys in the foriegn (not USA I mean) countries. Those Canon disk printers, what do they have for a power supply?? I think I know how to get one shipped to me from Australia through friends. But ain't that 220v? Know if that's a wall transformer and only 12vdc or so to the printer then I maybe able to supply my own power here.

[anaboland]

The i865 and i965 have a transformer unit fitted into the underside of the printer, it is loose fitting and it is possible to remove it and maybe swap with a 110v alternative from a US i860 as the printer itself looks physically the same, but this is pure guess work not having seen a US model. There is a arrow on the transformer and this is where the clip is that holds it in place, once you lift the transformer out there is just one small connection to unplug.

Anyway here in the UK 240v to 110v mains converters cost peanuts, i'm sure there must be similar mains converters avaliable in the US ?








If i made printers i would make the printer itself the same world wide and just pop in the correct AC/DC transformer for the region of sale, and it looks like canon might have done just that.

Hope this is some help.

[carlosp]

Over the years used Epson and Hp, gave up with Epson and stick to HP
only prob is Hp dont make disc printers, apparently dvdr dont bend around the rollers very well ?

any print problems and i just change the carts.

shame really as Seiko(epson) produce really reliable wrist watches......

[anaboland]

In previous post i originally quoted the US printer as a i850 what i actually meant was i860 sorry i've corrected it

Usefull site for people in US

http://www.voltage-converter-transformers.com

cheers

[handyguy]

You can also use stickers & print these with any printer, peel & put on your dvd.

[VD2004]

The Pixma 3000 and 4000 print on CD/DVD media


See here : http://www.scorptec.com.au/index.php?prdid=00012370

[iooi]

You can also use stickers & print these with any printer, peel & put on your dvd.

Mmm, Guess you havent seen all the posts about dvd disks with labels on not playing then....

[linhpham2]

The Canon Pixma IP4000R supports CD/DVD printing (note the "R" at the end of the model number). It's a bit pricey though: Newegg.com has it for $202 + shipping.

AFAIK, this is a U.S. model since Newegg carries it. I haven't been able to locate it at any local chain stores though.

Newegg link: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=28-102-155&depa=0

Printer specs: http://www.bubblejet.canon.com.my/product/bubble_jet/iP4000r.htm

[arklab]

Sorry, but the above post is WRONG!

NO PIXMA PRINTERS SOLD IN THE US OR CANADA PRINT TO CD/DVD's


Everywhere else in the world they DO (UK, Europe, Asia) but NOT inthe US.
Why?
Who knows? I'm not even sure if most Canon people here do.

I do know that I'm having to order from the UK and pay $75 to $140 USD to get one that does!

Hope this helps someone from having a big disapointment.

[Poppa_Meth]

I have an Epson R300. Its the first and unfortunately the last Epson printer I'll ever buy. It looked excellent for the first couple monthes, but now it bands on every CD/DVD I print, but not on paper. The black will streak on some paper prints and it has a bad habit of catching the corners of pages since it doesn't secure the front edge before printing. Not to mention OEM ink is insanely expensive and it drinks it up in no time. And everytime you change a cart it drops the other carts by about 1/10 of the meter for no apparent reason. Also can we mention that after the ink pad gets for and the drop counter maxes you have to send the thing to epson to get them replaced and reset. No thanks. If it gets too bad its back to HP and I'll forget printing discs untill canon gets a disk printer out stateside. Think I'll send them a bunch of emails to try and expidite the process.

[linhpham2]

Here's a listing from Canon USA's online store for the Pixma IP4000R for $230:

http://estore.usa.canon.com/Specification.asp?ITEM_ID=31782

CNET Shopper lists 34 other stores that sell it as well:

http://reviews.cnet.com/Canon_Pixma_iP4000R/4014-3156_7-31091145.html?tag=bc

and from PriceGrabber.com:

http://pcworld.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=4197907/zip_code=97007/

Happy Holidays!

[snafu099]

To linhpham2

checked out the links posted and noted the " * not available in all areas"

The other link to Cannons spec site does not list cd/dvd printing ability.
For me this would be a high $ printer, more than twice the cost of R200.
Confusing spec's do not make it an option for me, a ignorant consumer.

[arklab]

SNAFUO99;

Here is the UK store where I am waiting for the iP3000 to get back in stock.
http://www.t4cameras.co.uk/index.asp

Here is another topic where much of this has been discussed.

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=246843&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlig...arklab&start=0

I will be paying 40 pounds for shipping to Calif. (all Pixmas should be the same).

Use Gogle for "curency converter" to get back to US dollars.

Oh, and here's a place with voltage converters, if you don't want to order the US power supply from canon parts (they are only $12 and easy to swap in for the British one.)
http://www.voltage-converter-transformers.com/


Hope this helps.

[MikeSL]

Arklab,

I need to print on CDs, and based in part on the discussions on this site, as well as your experience, I purchased an ip4000r from Expansys in the UK. Now that I have it, I need to deal with the voltage issues (I'm in california). Did you find an easy way to order the U.S. power supply from Canon? I can't seem to find a web page that lists the part. . . . Or are you using an external converter?

Thanks in advance,

Mike

SNAFUO99;

I will be paying 40 pounds for shipping to Calif. (all Pixmas should be the same).

Use Gogle for "curency converter" to get back to US dollars.

Oh, and here's a place with voltage converters, if you don't want to order the US power supply from canon parts (they are only $12 and easy to swap in for the British one.)
http://www.voltage-converter-transformers.com/


Hope this helps.

[jtoolman2000]

If you want to know which is the BEST,,,,, That's always dangerous well some asks what is the " Best"
I have a Primera Bravo II which I use in my business. That is by far the BEST,,,, so far, Fully auto, just load up to 50 burned DVDs or CDs and send the image via Photoshop or SureThing CD Labeler Deluxe 4

The ink will KILL you but I can at least include that in my prices.

I also onw a R300 and I am currently having the plethora of tray and alingment problems that many are having. As a photo printer, together with a CIS, it is supperb in my book.