Date: Fri, 25 Mar 94 15:02:49 -0800
Subject: re: Fargo Primera Color Printer: comments?
From: bruce@macgate.di.com (Dr. Bruce C. Schardt)
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> Has anyone purchased, used, or demo-ed the Fargo Primera Color Printer-

We have had one at Digital Instruments for several months. We developed
a custom driver for the Fargo for our Nanoscope III software.

The printer is 208 dpi. In dye sublimation mode the printer uses a four
pixel dither cell to achieve photorealistic color. The dithering is not
nearly so obvious in the dye sub mode as in the wax transfer mode.

The printer is so cheap because it is very dumb. The computer must do
all the work including the dithering. The company was very helpful in
supplying information and algorithums for printing but we had to sign a
non-disclosure agreement.

The print quality is very good for such a cheap printer, it is much
better than normal was transfer or ink jet printers.

Optional Drivers for Windows, Mac, and Amiga computers are availiable.
The media cost is high: $2.79/print list price in quantities of one
hundred.

The Tektronix IIsdx dye sub printer is quite a bit better, but lists for
close to $10,000. It is 300 dpi no dithering required. Full postscript
level 2, Built in appletalk networking, optional ethernet availiable.