Epson Perfection 4870 Photo Scanner with moving TPU.

December 2003

December 1 2003: Epson today launched the PERFECTION 4870 PHOTO high resolution high speed scanner designed for graphics professionals and photo enthusiasts concerned about high image quality and productivity.

With a higher resolution of 4800 x 9600 dpi, faster scan speed, high maximum optical density, better image quality and the ability to scan more film formats, the PERFECTION 4870 PHOTO makes film scanning more reliable, easier and faster.

The Epson PERFECTION 4870 PHOTO scanner has a high (48-bit) gradation which means that it is able to generate more colours, and can achieve a maximum optical density of 3.8 allowing it to capture a greater tonal range from film scans, rivaling the performance of dedicated film scanners.

And unlike many competitors in its class, the image scanned by PERFECTION 4870 PHOTO is processed by the onboard ASIC chip, ensuring high speed scanning by reducing the scanner's dependence on the PC's processor and RAM capacity.

With the emphasis on 'Film Scan', the PERFECTION 4870 PHOTO is designed with the ability to scan many different types of film formats: twenty-four frames of 35mm stripfilm, eight frames of 35mm slides, three 6x12cm (max.) frames of 120/220 format film or two 4"x5" format film.

And in a first for a consumer scanner the PERFECTION 4870 PHOTO uses a newly designed moving carriage Transparency Unit [TPU] to increase scan quality and speed.

The PERFECTION 4870 PHOTO also incorporates new blue toned lamps to increase the scanning speed for negatives. As the base colour of negative film material is brownish in colour, when scans of negatives are made with white light the transmission of the blue component is much less than green and red. To preserve image quality, other scanners use a longer exposure time for blue to compensate for its loss during negative film scanning, and this slows the overall scanning speed.

In the PERFECTION 4870 PHOTO the blue toned lamp serves to shorten exposure time for blue and therefore increases the scanning speed for negative scans, without affecting quality or speed on other film types.

The PERFECTION 4870 PHOTO also includes Digital ICE technology that automatically detects and corrects defects on the surfaces of colour negatives and positives during the scanning process.

Digital ICE for Film - "Film ICE" technology - automatically removes surface defects from a scanned image such as scratches, dust and dirt particles, fingerprints, marks, where image data is available from the dye layers of the film.

Digital ICE differentiates itself from software-only solutions because it does not soften, blur or otherwise alter any underlying details or composition of the original image. Instead, Digital ICE technology works from within the scanner during the scanning process to provide users with a clear, authentic base image that improves on the original image. This is accomplished by obtaining information about the nature and location of surface and near-surface defects as an image is scanned.

During the typical scanning process, red, green and blue image information is gathered from the RGB channels while Digital ICE scanning uses a fourth channel, referred to as Defect channel (using an infrared LED), to collect the defect information.

Digital ICE for Photo Prints - Print ICE technology - automatically removes surface defects such as scratches, dust and dirt particles, folds, creases and tears from a scanned print image.

Print ICE uses differential shadowing technology and proprietary software algorithms to identify the precise locations of physical defects, or visual "noise" on a print being scanned. Digital ICE for Photo Prints quickly and automatically eliminates the unwanted defects, producing a scanned image file that improves upon the original print.

The PERFECTION 4870 PHOTO scanner also includes colour restoration and grain reduction software.

Grain reduction will smooth any rough or sandy looking images and is available when using the scanner in Professional mode. The grain reduction function works by applying a filter which smoothes the image depending on the grain size using Low/Mid/High settings.

The Epson PERFECTION 4870 PHOTO scanner is the flagship model of the Epson PERFECTION range of scanners, and together with the PERFECTION 1670 PHOTO, PERFECTION 2400 PHOTO and PERFECTION 3170 PHOTO, makes up the new generation Epson PERFECTION range of scanners with enhanced feature functions and stylish design for home and SOHO use.

The PERFECTION 4870 PHOTO scanner is priced at around $899 including GST and is available now at Epson retailers. For full product specifications on this and other Epson scanners please refer to www.Epson.com.au.

For high resolution images or to obtain an evaluation unit, please contact Bob Pritchard at CommunEcom Strategic Communications on 02 9960 6000 or 0413 825 552 or via email at bob.pritchard@communecom.com.au

Optical Density is a measure of the opacity of transparent or reflective materials. Film or transparencies have a maximum optical density of about 3.3 and a minimum optical density of about 0.3, giving a density range of 3.0. Reflective materials have a density range of about 2.0. But the tonal range is proportional to the logarithm of the opacity, giving a transparency a tonal range ten times greater than a print. A higher optical density performance for a scanner translates into an ability to capture a greater tonal range.

Further information:
Jane Ross
Marketing Communications Manager
Volume Products
Epson Australia
Phone: 02-8899-3680
jross@epson.com.au

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