What a difference a digit makes
Product: HP ScanJet 5200C color scanner
From: Hewlett-Packard
Street Price: About $500
Pros: Comes with both parallel and easy-to-configure Universal Serial Bus connections. Software automatically scans images and/or recognizes text via OCR. One-button scanning. Energy Star "sleep mode" optionally puts the scanner into a dormant state when not in use. Parallel mode is compatible with Windows 95/98 and NT4.0. 8.5" by 14" maximum document size.
Cons: No on/off switch on the unit. Because USB is not supported by some versions of Windows 95 or NT, users who connect this scanner via the parallel port may encounter conflicts with other parallel port devices.
What a Difference a Digit Makes
In our 1998 review of HP's now-discontinued ScanJet model, the 5100C, we noted several problems, most seriously the fact that the unit was a hassle to get working on systems in which the parallel port was already in use. Fortunately, HP has listened to its critics and addressed many of our complaints.
The HP ScanJet 5200C was a breeze to set up. We simply plugged it in, connected the supplied USB cable and our computer prompted us for the driver CD. (A parallel cable is also supplied.) A moment later, we were scanning. Really - it was that easy. It appears that the dark days of PC scanner interface hassles may soon be nothing more than just another topic for debate in the Mac-versus-PC advocacy newsgroups.
The 5200C continues the "one-button" tradition that we noted in our 1998 review of the company's 5100C model. A green button on the front of the unit is controlled by a software program that allows you to define which application is launched when the button is pushed, and what action will be taken. For example, you can elect to OCR directly into Microsoft Word, or scan images directly to a file with a simple push of this button. It worked well in our tests. The PrecisionSCan software also allowed us to scan or OCR directly into a number of applications already on our hard disk, including FrontPage, Microsoft Imaging, MS Word, and numerous graphics programs.
The ScanJet 5200C scanner also ships with several document-management and image-editing tools that enhance productivity; they include the following:
Software is provided in both French and English languages.
Options
A 25-page automatic document feeder allowing unattended multiple-page and legal-size scanning is expected to sell for an estimated Canadian selling price of $299. An optional 35mm slide adapter is expected to sell for an estimated Canadian selling price of $29.99. We did not test these attachments.
Here is a comparison between the 5200C and the company's parallel-only 5100C model.
|
HP ScanJet 5200C |
HP ScanJet 5100cse (discontinued) |
|
| Resolution | 600-dpi optical, 600x1200 dpi "hardware resolution"; 1200-dpi "hardware super sampling" 9600 dpi "enhanced resolution." | 300 dpi optical; 600 dpi Hardware Super Sampling; 1200 dpi enhanced |
| Color | 36-bit color | 24-bit output; 30-bit color converter; 36-bit color image processor |
| Grayscale | 8-bit (256 grayscale levels) | 8-bit (256 grayscale levels) |
| Maximum document size | 8.5 by 14 inches (216 x 356 mm) | 8.5" by 11.7" |
| Interface | USB and parallel port connector | Enhanced Parallel Port, automatically enabled, pass-through port |
| Scan Technology | HP's exclusive Intelligent Scanning Technology: Dual Image Scanning,automatic page decomposition, automatic raster-to-vector conversion forblack-and-white line art images Push-button scanning TWAIN and OLE Single-pass color and monochrome Xenon lamp HP AccuPage Technology (automatic page optimization forOCR) Variable-y scanning |
HP's exclusive Intelligent Scanning Technology: Dual Image Scanning,automatic page decomposition, automatic raster-to-vector conversion forblack-and-white line art images Push-button scanning TWAIN and OLE Single-pass color and monochrome Xenon lamp HP AccuPage Technology (automatic page optimization forOCR) Variable-y scanning |
| Software | HP PrecisionScan scanning software with fully automated OCR (opticalcharacter recognition) Adobe® PhotoDeluxe™ 2.0 image editor Caere® PageKeeper Lite® 3.0 document management software StreetWise™ by Design™ business templates CD-ROM HP Color Copy Utility |
HP PrecisionScan scanning software with fully automated OCR (opticalcharacter recognition) Adobe® PhotoDeluxe™ 2.0 image editor Caere® PageKeeper Lite® 3.0 document management software StreetWise™ by Design™ business templates CD-ROM HP Color Copy Utility |
| Speed | Still testing; HP claims "up to 3 times faster." | Exposure rates: normal, 6 ms/line; fast black-and-white, 2 ms/line. Typical example: page with photos, text and logos scanned into wordprocessing application, images optimized, black-and-white line art infinitelyscalable, text ready for editing: 3 minutes or less (Measurements taken with 133 MHz Pentium PC; excludes lamp warm-up and calibration time,typically 1-4 seconds.) |
| Service and Support | 24-hour electronic support. | 1-year HP limited warranty Express Pickup and Delivery (U.S. and Canada) HP Standard Exchange 90-day technical support at no charge Extended hours and Saturday supportfor online technical support (US) Optional HP SupportPack for two years of additional Express Pickupand Delivery Toll-free faxability service in the U.S. (1-800-333-1917) |
| System Requirements | Pentium or equivalent; Windows 95, 98, or NT 4.0; 16MB RAM or more, CD-ROM drive, VGA monitor. | 486 processor or above (133 MHz Pentium recommended) 16 MB of RAM or above (24 MB recommended) 45 MB of available disk space (110 MB recommended) Windows 95 VGA monitor, 640 x 480 resolution or greater CD-ROM drive Enhanced Parallel Port printer connection |
Conclusion:
This is a vastly improved product. Recommended.
For Further Reading:
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