[Japan : PIXUS MP960, North America/Oceania: PIXMA MP960]
This month's Technical Report introduces the PIXUS MP960 inkjet all-in-one released in early October 2006.
The PIXUS MP960 is the top of the PIXUS all-in-one series line. It has more comprehensive functions with the ''FINE'' high nozzle density print head technology, which is the core technology for PIXUS, and it is faster and has improved user-friendliness.
Features
(1) High-performance print head technology ''FINE''
The PIXUS MP960 provides clear photo quality with high resolution up to 9600dpi* x 2400dpi. Microscopic ink droplets as small as one picoliter are possible with FINE (Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) high-density print head technology.
The FINE technology enables a high-density nozzle placement and extremely high ejection accuracy by utilizing monolithic print head arrays through Canon's proprietary semiconductor printing technology, and constant volume droplet ejecting technology, making beautiful and speedy prints possible.
The printer uses a 7-ink system consisting of six dye inks (yellow, magenta, cyan, black, photo magenta and photo cyan) and one pigment ink (black), to provide excellent reproductions of photographic images and high-quality monochrome text printing also.
*Ink droplets can be placed with a pitch of 1/9600 inch at minimum.
(2) New operation panel with Easy-Scroll Wheel
All-in-One, or multi-function, machines are steadily gaining functions making them somewhat difficult to operate. The PIXUS MP960's new Easy-Scroll Wheel on the top of the main unit makes it easier for anyone to operate (Photo 2).
Operation can be performed intuitively through the combination of the wheel and the icons on the LCD monitor, making it possible to reach the desired function in fewer steps.
Furthermore, the 3.5 inch LCD monitor with its wide viewing angle is movable, allowing it to be set to the best angle. It can also be folded away when not in use.
(3) High-speed output (Fig. 1)
An encoder for precise control of paper movement has been added to the paper ejection roller in addition to the conventional feeder roller. By adopting this ''Double encoder system'' it is possible to print L-sized borderless photographs in about 29 seconds (39 seconds in last year's model, the MP950) while maintaining high-resolution.
(4) Excellent copying functions (Fig. 2 and 3)
The MP960 provides beautiful copies of photographs and text that are faithful to the original by using both dye and pigment black inks, together with microscopic ink droplets as small as one picoliter. In addition, Canon's ''Dual Color Gamut Processing Technology'' provides improved reproduction precision in copying.
The MP960 also automatically identifies text, lines and images such as photographs to print using the most suitable ink, providing dark, sharp black text and lines while reproducing photographs smoothly. The copying functions are as follows.
• Photograph copying (Photo 3)
Photographs can be copied just like making extra prints simply by placing a photograph on the platen glass and pressing the copy button.
• Plain paper copying
The MP960 is equipped with a diverse range of functions including duplex copying, enlarged and reduced copies in 1% increments, up to 99 continuous copies, ''4-on-1 copy'' enabling 4 pages to be copied to a single page, and ''Fit-to-page'' that detects the original page size and prints at the right size to fit the output page.
The ''Auto intensity'' function makes it possible to automatically adjust the density of double-sided documents where the reverse page is likely to show through. For magazines containing photographs and text, the function will both enhance text and correct photographs.
• Others Functions (Photo 4)
There are a variety of copy modes, including the ''DVD/CD Label Copy'' function (This function is not supported in some countries or regions) for easy copying of DVD/CD labels, the ''Fade Restoration'' function that instantly restores faded prints, ''Postcard Copy'' that is convenient for making postcards, and the ''Photo Sticker'' function enabling favorite photographs to be made into stickers.
(5) Scanner function
• High-definition scanning using a 4800dpi optical resolution CCD
The MP960 is equipped with a 4800dpi optical resolution CCD, and can faithfully reproduce smooth images with high definition using 16bit RGB input and advanced image processing technology.
• Film scanning function (Photo 5)
The product supports film scanning and can read and digitize 35mm film (negative/ positive). Up to 12 frames can be scanned in succession.
• Multi-Crop Function (Photo 6)
It is possible to scan up to 10 prints at once and digitize them separately, greatly reducing the time required for scanning. Print skewing can also be automatically detected and corrected.
• Diverse image correction functions
The MP960 is also equipped with numerous convenient image correction functions such as ''Fading Correction'', which uses software processing to correct and restore the faded or seepage color in film and prints, ''Grain Correction'' and ''Backlight Correction''.
In addition, ''Reduce Dust and Scratches'' enables clean images to be created by using software during scanning to correct and reduce noise produced by dust attached to prints.
• Film copying
This is a film copying function for direct copying much like developing and printing 35mm film. The characteristics of film generally vary depending on the type and manufacturer of the film, and whether the film is negative or positive. With the aim of achieving faithful reproduction, Canon's original film optimization processing is utilized.
Corrections are made to suit each frame and improve fidelity. For film in which the color range is clearly compressed, the color range is expanded to perform reproductions and minimize the loss of the original film's color. Fidelity improvements are also achieved for all film characteristics through shading using negative/positive inversion and color balance and tone corrections for the entire image.
(6) Diverse direct printing functions
In addition to direct printing from digital cameras, the following types of direct printing are also available.
• Card Direct (Photo 7)
The MP960 supports Card Direct printing such as borderless prints and stickers simply by inserting a memory card* into the standard card slot.
In addition to directing prints from the operation panel, ''Photo index sheet'' can also be used to easily print photographs by directly marking the desired images, layout and number on a sheet with a pencil or a black pen.
* Supported media types are SD Memory, Multimedia Card Ver. 3.31, Compact Flash, Microdrive, SmartMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, mini SD**, XD Picture Card**, Memory Stick Duo** and Memory Stick PRO Duo**.
** Supported through the use of a commercially available adapter
• Handwriting sheet print (This function is not supported in some countries or regions) (Fig. 4)
DVD/CD handwriting sheet print (This function is not supported in some countries or regions) (Fig. 5)
Handwriting Navigator creation of handwritten is a function that enables the addition of frames to images and the creation of handwritten text and illustrations without the use of a PC. This makes it easy to create original photo postcards using the hand-made approach.
The MP960 is also able to print combinations of photographs and handwritten text on DVD/CD labels also able to print combinations (DVD/CD Handwriting Navigator).
(7) Built-in Advanced Media Handling technology
• 2-way paper feeding
In addition to the normal feeder tray (auto sheet feeder) where paper is inserted into the top of the printer, the main unit is also equipped with a front feeder cassette, enabling 2-way feeding. Different types and sizes can be loaded into the two feeders to avoid the hassle of changing papers, and the auto sheet feeder and feeder cassette can be used together to continuously supply up to 300 sheets (150 in each, plain paper) when there is a need to print large quantities on the same paper. The front can also be used for both feeding and ejection when there is no room to open out the auto sheet feeder.
Switching between the auto sheet feeder and the feeder cassette can be performed by drivers as well as the Paper Feed Switch button on the front of the main unit.
• Automatic Duplex Printing supporting photo paper
The default configuration supports ''Automatic Duplex Printing'', which automatically prints on the front and back sides of paper, enabling easy double-sided printing for both plain paper and double-sided photo paper. It is also possible to perform double-sided borderless printing for double-sided photo paper. Using the bundled Photo Record or Easy-Photo Print software to print on double-sided photo paper, double-sided photo albums can be easily created.
• DVD/CD label printing
Photographs and text can be printed directly onto the printable disk surfaces of DVDs and CDs simply by slotting a tray containing a disk into the tray guide.
(8) Individual ink tank system
The individual ink tank system has LEDs providing notification when a cartridge is empty using the precise ink end sensor combining an optical sensor, enabled by the transparent ink tanks, and a dot count system. This allows efficient ink tank replacement and helps prevent ink running out midway through printing.
This issue of the Technical Report introduces the PIXUS MP960.
There is no recommended retailed price.