printer suggestions n CIS

[rojen]

I am an old unix head, going to linux from win after 10yrs out of unix. Quite a lot of fun actually. I am trying distros and software and enjoying the learning curve of, "how did I used to do that again?"

I want to print dvd / cd covers for the movies. I also enjoy photography as a hobby, so a printer that integrates well with linux graphically is a must. Currently I own an Epson Photo Stylus 2200, Epson Picturemate, and an all-in-one CX3500. None of these print cd's so I will most likely be adding one more printer. I also would like to purchase CIS (Continuous Inking System) for all the printers. Any recommendations on brands brands/models of printers and CIS is really appreciated.

I found lots of docs about apps, but little about this nitch of printing.

TIA

[AlanHK]

I guess you already know the Linux Printing Database, but for the record:
http://www.linuxfoundation.org/en/OpenPrinting/Database/DatabaseIntro

[tekkieman]

One or two of the HPs now prints CDs and DVDs. I saw a discussion on it here just in the last week or two. I think it was something like a Photosmart D5360 model.

Hp printers are also pretty well supported in linux.

[rojen]

Hi thanks for the quick replies.

I have been all over that DB, and also found this link from the sidux people:
http://sidux.com/PNphpBB2-viewtopic-t-10166.html
It tells me that within the last year or so huge strides are being made in graphics drivers. I dl'd 5.1.98 version of gutenprint since the distros I've been playing with mainly had 5.0. I also dl'd the dev version of 5.2 to play with. I am not ready to get back into dev work. Ten yrs is a long time. But, hey I can poke around and test a bit.

I also downloaded the commercial version I found.

I will ck out the HP printer. I see where some of the R2xx series Epsons had a lot of complaints. I am not married to Epson, but am used to their quirks. Often good quality, but slower, and cheaper. Ink... that's always hi. ymmv

I was hoping to find more of an organized comparison of printers for our use, but I guess the models chg too much for that type of DB to be maintained. Same seems to be even more true of CIS systems. Very dated and sporatic info.

[AlanHK]

I was hoping to find more of an organized comparison of printers for our use, but I guess the models chg too much for that type of DB to be maintained. Same seems to be even more true of CIS systems. Very dated and sporatic info.

Ask at the newsgroup http://groups.google.com/group/comp.periphs.printers/topics

[disturbed1]

You look like an epson fan. Epson's work just fine with Gutenprint. I have 3 R200's, an R320, C120 (pigment), and had an older stylus model, the number escapes my mind at this time. No issues. There is even an Epson ink monitoring tool if you should need it.

For CIS units, there are plenty around for Epson printers, with quite a few threads here on vcdhelp. Even auto resetting carts, blank carts and so on. Epson gives info directly to open source devs, so the Epson drivers aren't some reversed hack.

HP printers have excellent Linux support as well. The HP drivers (print, copy, scan, fax) are directly from HP, and they include their own stand alone HP application.

The complaints about Epson printing in Linux seem to match those found for windows You have to know your Epson to get it to work properly. They aren't your standard plug and print like most other companies. Quite finicky machines. Quality is unsurpassed by no other if you know what you're doing. If you don't under stand the difference between CMYK and RGB printing, 360dpi and 5760dpi, why did you bother to blindly change the settings? No you should not choose Glossy Photo Paper when you're printing on 20lb recycled paper

Not sure what type of data base you're looking for?
HP - works 99.9%.
Epson works 99.9%.
Canon - not so good with out commercial Turbo Print (www.turboprint.de)
Lexmark - you're joking right?
Most lasers work just fine (HP (non $100 models), Samsung, Brother).

I also downloaded the commercial version I found.

Gutenprint is open source, not commercial. Perhaps you were talking about Turbo Print?

I contribute most errors to PEBKAC errors. Did you try restarting it? Is it plug in? < From the IT crowd >

[rojen]

Disturbed1,
I loved your reply. your humor does a good job putting things in perspective. I read all the posts on CIS that I could find. A lot are dated. Technology, advertizing, and techies in general are caught up in the race to stay current. So I was looking for more detailed info comparing technology between brands, the why and the wherefore. I figured any review more than 1 year old may not be accurate since the company probably changed technology. Guess this isn't that mainline. But it sounds like overall that the CIS has matured enough that most use silicon tubing, etc....

I was looking for something more like the camera buys guides that wonderful industrious people keep fairly current for the rest of us. Nice little DB apps to help idiot proof your selection. No such thing for printers or CIS that I could find.

I was a unix sys admin for a number of years and a couple of your statements reminded me of my old moto. Anything redundant can be automated. Spend 64 hours automating something that takes you 3 minutes a day. For unix that fits right up there with 'did you turn it on?' and 'no that is not a cup holder.' We all have our areas in which we are a *user.*

As for the driver web site I was referring to for non-open source drivers it is: http://www.avasys.jp/lx-bin2/linux_e/ink/ I of course took a copy of the gutenprint stuff.

[AlanHK]

I figured any review more than 1 year old may not be accurate since the company probably changed technology.

Again I recommend the newsgroup I mentioned. That's where you will find up-to-the-minute info.
Also lots of arguments and flamewars, (killfile "measekite" and "frank" for your own sanity) but amongst that you'll get the best info.