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BLI Comparative Lab Test ReportAugust 2007

BUYERS LAB

Canon iPF820 HP DJ4500

Advantage Color Print Quality Black Print Quality

Color Print Productivity Black Print Productivity Cost of Ownership

Feature Set

Canon imagePROGRAF iPF820 and HP DesignJet 4500 under test in BLI’s European test lab

Test Objective

BLI International (UK) Ltd (BLI) was commissioned by Canon Europe to conduct confidential document imaging device performance testing on the Canon imagePROGRAF iPF820 and the HP DesignJet 4500 and produce a report comparing the relative strengths and weaknesses of the two products in terms of productivity, image quality, driver feature set and cost of owner-ship. All testing was performed in BLI’s test facility in Wokingham, UK.

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Canon imagePROGRAF iPF820 vs HP DesignJet 4500

August 2007

BUYERS LAB Lab Test Report

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary 2

Colour Print Quality 3

Black Print Quality 4

Print Productivity 5

Cost of Ownership 6

Device Feature Set 7

Driver Feature Set 8

Supporting Test Data 10

Test Methodology for Cost of Ownership Evaluation 16

About BLI 20

Executive Summary

Across a wide range of productivity assessment tests, the Canon imagePROGRAF iPF820 outperformed the HP DesignJet 4500 at default print driver settings, including for first page out after a weekend of non-use (42% faster), printing BLI’s job stream (34.4% advantage), printing when switching between paper rolls (37.3% faster) and A0 throughput speed when printing five sets (38.3% faster).

The Canon imagePROGRAF iPF820 exhibited a significant advantage over the HP Designjet 4500 at all three print driver speed settings for plain paper in colour mode, with the Canon device printing BLI’s 12-page DWF productivity document 29.6% faster in draft mode, 47.8% faster in default / normal mode and 51.4% faster in high-est quality mode.

The same productivity advantages were seen across the three plain paper speed modes when the jobs were produced in monochrome mode, with Canon’s advantag-es in draft, normal and best modes being 31.4%, 36.3% and 15.7%, respectively.

Note: Throughout the evaluation, BLI tested the Canon imagePROGRAF iPF820 using its default hardware settings. The HP DesignJet 4500 was modified from the default setting to exclude the built-in optimal drying time. It should be noted that using its default settings, the HP model would fall even further behind the Canon for produc-tivity, as drying times between each sheet would be added. (The impact of drying is determined by the drying option selected, paper type, size and speed setting.)

During BLI’s image quality assessment, both devices showed strengths. In colour mode, the Canon delivered higher average densities across CMYK tests for both 50% and 100% fills in draft mode. In default mode, the HP and Canon delivered comparable results for 50% fills, with the HP model having an advantage for 100% fills of cyan, magenta and yellow. Importantly, however, the Canon model retained the advantage in 100% black fill density of 1.3 versus the HP’s 1.13 optical density. In black-only mode, the HP delivered higher solid black densities at all three speed settings. However, the quality of grey fills was well below that delivered by the Canon in colour mode, with the HP model producing grey with a significant cyan or magenta hue in many areas of the grey spectrum. In contrast, the Canon model delivered neu-tral greys in full-colour mode, with no composite colour balancing issues.

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August 2007


Note: While neither device is positioned for high-level graphic printing, the Canon model showed an ability to produce higher quality output on high-gloss media in both colour and monochrome modes. In BLI’s testing on glossy media, prints made in both monochrome and colour modes were poorly produced on the HP model, with significant magenta hues to many mid-level grey shades and poor detail in dark contrast areas.

Fine lines and fonts were reproduced well on both devices on plain paper, with noth-ing differentiating output produced by the two devices to any appreciable degree.

The overall colour gamut of the HP DesignJet 4500 on plain paper was 18.1% larger than that of the Canon imagePROGRAF 820 on plain paper using the default speed settings.

During the cost of ownership evaluation, which involved over 705 square metres of printing and three different document type assessments, the Canon imagePROGRAF iPF820 consumed less ink in both weight and percentage of ink used compared to the HP model in both the line art and GIS workflow in default driver settings, but used more ink and a higher percentage of ink when carrying out the 3D CAD / CAM test run. In economy mode, the Canon showed a significant ink usage advantage over the HP model in its fast draft mode, with the Canon consuming considerably less ink than the HP.

The Canon model offers a number of printer driver feature advantages versus the HP model, with colour management and predefined profile ease of use being two stand-out areas. It should be noted that this analysis was based on the DesignJet 4500 and not the PS model, which would offer more colour management options compared to the entry-level Windows HP-GL/2-driven model that was tested.

Colour Print Quality


Advantage Text

Fine Lines

Halftone Range Halftone Fill Solids AEC Graphics

GIS Graphics

Business Graphics

Photographic Images


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, — and represent positive, negative and neutral attributes, respectively, of the Canon model relative to the HP model.

Canon iPF820 v HP DJ4500

The Canon model delivered higher densities at both 50% and 100% fill com-pared to the HP in draft mode.

The Canon model delivered higher solid black density output in full-colour mode on plain paper at all speed settings compared to the HP model.

— The HP model delivered higher solid cyan, magenta and yellow densities com-pared to the Canon model in normal mode on plain paper.

The Canon model produced neutral grey halftones with a high-quality appear-ance, with no colour hues. In contrast, the HP delivered greys with a distinct magenta or cyan hue across many areas of the grey range.

The Canon model delivered superior photographic output on both plain paper and on Canon glossy media. The HP model produced output that exhibited poor dark contrast, grainier output and inferior gradation across the same output on both plain paper and HP glossy media.

Fine lines and fonts were reproduced to a comparable standard on both devices.

— At default speed settings, the HP model displayed a colour gamut 18.1% larger on plain paper than the Canon model.

Black Print Quality


Advantage Text

Fine Lines

Halftone Range Halftone Fill Solids AEC Graphics

Business Graphics

Photographic Images


In greyscale high-quality mode, the HP model generated greys with composite CMYK mixing, resulting in significant hues in many grey regions. (Only in greyscale black ink-only mode does the HP device deliver high-quality greys.) The Canon model produces high-quality grey fills in its monochrome setting with no need to make further image quality adjustments.


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The Canon model delivered higher quality photographic monochrome prints on both plain and glossy media compared to the HP model, whose output lost much of the detailing in dark contrast areas.

Reproduction of fine lines and text in monochrome mode of black, red and blue document elements was comparable for both units when printed on plain paper.

— In black-only mode, the HP model delivered higher solid black densities, averag-ing 1.41, 1.54 and 1.55 in draft, normal and best modes, respectively. At the same settings, the Canon delivered densities of 1.29, 1.48 and 1.45, respectively.

Print Productivity


Advantage First Page Out Throughput Speed (fastest mode) Throughput Speed (default mode) Throughput Speed (highest quality mode) Job Stream (multiple jobs submitted to device in fast suc-cession simulating busy network environment)

Roll switching Printing on High Gloss Media


The Canon model delivered first-page-out advantages versus the HP model from both the energy-save mode (101.09 seconds versus 174.25 seconds) and a ready state (70.06 seconds versus 131.59 seconds).

For single-set and five-set printing of a single-page A0-size GIS BLI test doc-ument, the Canon model displayed a speed advantage over the HP model of 43.5% on one set and 38.3% on five sets.

The Canon model delivered productivity advantages of 29.6%, 47.8% and 51.4% when the BLI 12-page Arch D-size DWF test file was run in colour in draft, normal and best modes, respectively.

The Canon model also delivered productivity advantages of 31.4%, 35.6% and 15.7% when the BLI 12-page Arch D size DWF test file was run in monochrome in draft, normal and best modes, respectively.

In BLI’s wide-format job stream (which simulates a busy network environment with 10 jobs, each consisting of from one to five pages, being sent to the device at once), the Canon model outperformed the HP model, delivering all 19 pages in 1,393.4 seconds versus the HP model’s 2,153.5 seconds.

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When the same job stream was set to print alternating between rolls one and two, the Canon model extended its advantage, taking 35.5 extra seconds to carry out the nine roll switches versus the 155.5 extra seconds required by the HP printer.

When printing a high-resolution graphics file on glossy media, the Canon model delivered a productivity advantage over the HP model of 39% in default mode and 67.4% in highest quality mode.

Cost of Ownership

DEFAULT 600-DPI MODE RESULTS

Canon iPF820 Standard 600-dpi

HP DJ4500 Normal (Final)

LINE ART

Overall weight of ink used 71.4g 94.0g

Percentage of total ink used averaged across all colours 4.0% 5.7%

3D CAD /CAM



GIS



ECONOMY/DRAFT MODE RESULTS

Canon iPF820 Economy (300 dpi)

HP DJ4500 Fast (Draft)

3D CAD /CAM



GIS




The Canon imagePROGRAF iPF820 used less ink, both in terms of net weight and percentage of cartridge weight, compared to the HP DesignJet 4500 in BLI’s line art cost of ownership print run.

— The Canon imagePROGRAF iPF820 used more ink, both in terms of net weight and percentage of cartridge weight, than did the HP DesignJet 4500 in BLI’s 3D CAD/CAM cost of ownership print run.

The Canon imagePROGRAF iPF820 used less ink, both in terms of net weight

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and percentage of cartridge weight, than did the HP DesignJet 4500 in BLI’s GIS cost of ownership print run.

In 300-dpi Economy mode, the Canon imagePROGRAF iPF820 used consider-ably less ink, both in terms of net weight and percentage of cartridge weight, than did the HP DesignJet 4500 in Fast Draft mode.

Device Feature Set


The Canon ink delivery system dispenses a smaller drop size in both colour (4pl v 5pl) and black (4pl v 15pl) compared to the HP ink delivery system.

— The HP DesignJet 4500 employs five inks, including matte black; the Canon imagePROGRAF iPF820 employs four inks.

The Canon model’s ink tanks can be refilled during print operation, a feature not available to HP users who must wait for the device to be in standby mode.

The Canon model offers larger (700ml) colour ink tanks than the HP model (400ml).

— The HP model includes a larger black ink tank (775ml) compared to the Canon model’s black ink tank (700ml).

The Canon model is advertised as having a faster A1 throughput speed in draft mode (24 seconds) compared to the HP model (36 seconds).

The Canon model offers borderless printing, whereas the HP model is limited to a minimum unprintable area of 5mm around the media edge.

— The HP model accommodates a larger roll size (180mm outside roll diameter) than the Canon model (150mm outside roll diameter), allowing more prints to be run unattended before the roll requires replacement. The HP model accom-modates a longer printable paper length (175m) compared to the Canon model, which is limited to 18m, depending upon OS and application.

— The HP model can accommodate heavier media stock, up to 328gsm, while the Canon model is limited to 280gsm media.

The Canon model has a larger standard RAM (384 MB) compared to the HP model (256 MB). HP offers an optional 256-MB RAM upgrade, which Canon does not.

The Canon model offers a larger hard drive (80 GB) compared to the HP model’s hard drive (40 GB).

The Canon model has a lower advertised peak energy value of only 190W com-pared to the HP model’s 500W.

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Driver Feature Set


The Canon driver includes double the number of predefined profiles (14 v HP’s 7) and also provides an overview screen allowing users to see all settings of each profile. HP offers no such summary option.

Canon Print Driver Page Setup TabCanon Print Driver Main Tab

Canon Print Driver View Settings TabCanon Print Driver Layout Tab

Canon Print Driver Color Settings/Matching Tab

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The Canon driver includes four speed setting options versus three on the HP driver.

— The HP driver includes 19 media profiles versus 17 for the Canon driver.

The Canon driver includes a watermark capability; the HP driver does not.

HP Print Driver Paper Quality Tab HP Print Driver Effects Tab

HP Print Driver Finishing Tab HP Print Driver Color Tab

HP Print Driver Accounting Tab

August 2007


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The Canon model’s device status monitor can be accessed directly from the front tab of the driver, whereas with the HP model, device status is accessed via an icon on the services tab, requiring more clicks to access.

The Canon driver includes a wider selection of simple colour adjustment options, with brightness, contrast, saturation and CMYK sliding scale adjustment. HP is limited to only CMYK adjustment.

The Canon driver includes more advanced colour-matching capabilities, includ-ing the ability to match ICC profiles and select rendering intent based on different elements in the document. HP offers limited colour matching options, with no rendering intent flexibility.

The Canon driver includes a unidirectional print selection, whereas the HP driver does not.

— The HP driver includes the ability to disable the cutter; the Canon driver does not.

Job Stream Productivity

Mixed File Types, Same Size

Sets HP DJ4500 (time in seconds) Canon iPF820 (time in seconds)

1 2,123.0 1,393.4

Mixed File Types, Alternating Media Rolls

Sets HP DJ4500 (time in seconds) Canon iPF820 (time in seconds)

1 2,278.5 1,428.9

Time Difference Between Job Stream Sent To Single Media Roll Versus Alternating Between Rolls (9 switches in total)

HP DJ4500 (time in seconds) Canon iPF820 (time in seconds)

Total time difference 155.5 35.5

Time per roll switch 17.2 3.9

BLI’s job stream involves 10 files, including PDF, TIFF and DWF files totalling 19 pages all at Arch D-size. This test indicates the type of traffic a typical wide-format device might experience in a real-world, multi-user environment. All of the files are submitted to the controller in a specific order and sent to the printer as a group, at which time the stopwatch begins; timing ends when the last page of the last file exits the device. The test is conducted twice, once with all jobs sent to the same media roll, and on the second run, the jobs are sent to alternating media sources to assess productivity impact of media roll switching. Both devices were loaded with 914mm rolls, with each file set to auto-rotate to save media.

August 2007


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Colour Productivity


Fast Normal Best Draft Standard High

634.0 1,458.8 2,937.6 446.1 761.6 1,428.3

The 12-page DWF test file was printed using the device driver with plain paper/colour setting. Both devices were loaded with 914mm rolls, with each file set to auto-rotate to save media. The actual time indicated is the time it took to RIP, image and deliver all pages of the test document to the collection bin.

Monochrome Productivity


Fast Normal Best Draft Standard High

648.6 1,199.3 1,756.5 445.2 764.0 1,480.7

The 12-page DWF test file was printed with the Canon driver set to plain paper/monochrome setting and the HP driver set to plain paper, greyscale, black ink only. Both devices were loaded with 914mm rolls, with each file set to auto-rotate to save media. The actual time indicated is the time it took to RIP, image and deliver all pages of the test document to the collection bin.

First-Page-Out Productivity After Weekend of Non-Use


Time Before Printing Commences 90.0 50.1

First Print Out 174.3 101.1

First-Page-Out Productivity From Ready State


Time Before Printing Commences 46.8 19.6

First Print Out 131.6 70.1

First-page-out times are achieved by sending an Arch D-size PDF file to print, timing from release to page out with the Canon driver set to plain paper/monochrome setting and the HP driver set to plain paper, greyscale, black ink only. Both devices were loaded with 914mm rolls, with each file set to auto-rotate to save media.

A0 First-Page-Out and Throughput Productivity


First page out 186.0 117.2

5 pages out 907.8 560.0

The single-page A0-size GIS map PDF test file was printed using the device driver with plain paper/colour setting in default speed mode. The actual time indicated is the time it took to RIP, image and deliver all pages of the test document to the collection bin.

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Productivity on High-Gloss Media at Default and Maximum Resolution Settings


Default Speed Mode 306.1 186.9

Highest Quality Speed Mode 1,247.7 407.3

The single-page 24" x 27" graphic PDF file was printed using the device driver with high gloss paper/colour setting at default and highest-resolution speed modes. The actual time indicated is the time it took to RIP, image and deliver the test document to the collection bin.

Colour Print Quality

HP DJ4500

Plain Paper Draft Normal Best

50% 100% 50% 100% 50% 100%

Cyan 0.51 0.76 0.64 0.98 0.57 0.86

Magenta 0.31 0.78 0.43 1.04 0.39 0.91

Yellow 0.30 0.60 0.41 0.92 0.36 0.80

Black 0.41 1.05 0.50 1.13 0.47 1.09

Canon iPF820

Plain Paper Draft Standard High

50% 100% 50% 100% 50% 100%

Cyan 0.50 0.73 0.54 0.77 0.52 0.72

Magenta 0.49 0.84 0.51 0.92 0.50 0.93

Yellow 0.50 0.73 0.49 0.84 0.49 0.85

Black 0.46 1.20 0.46 1.30 0.45 1.28

Note: Colour density readings were assessed by printing an IT8 test file on plain paper in default colour settings at all quality settings available and measuring the density of 100% dot fill and 50% dot fill using an XRite 508 densitometer.

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HP DesignJet 4500 colour gamut on plain paper in default settings (red) versus Canon imagePROGRAF iPF820 colour gamut on plain paper in default settings (spectral).

Black Print Quality (Density)

HP DJ4500 Canon iPF820

Density Block Draft Normal Best Draft Standard High

1 1.40 1.53 1.55 1.27 1.48 1.45

2 1.40 1.55 1.54 1.28 1.47 1.43

3 1.39 1.56 1.56 1.31 1.49 1.45

4 1.45 1.51 1.55 1.29 1.47 1.45

Note: Solid black density measurements are based on four readings taken from a BLI proprietary PDF test target file corresponding to four different 100% solid black locations on the output. The output was assessed at all quality settings available, with the Canon driver set to plain paper/monochrome setting, HP driver set to plain paper, greyscale, black ink only. Density was measured using an XRite 508 densitometer.

Canon IPF 820 HP DJ4500

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Device Feature Set

Canon imagePROGRAF iPF820 Advantage HP DesignJet 4500

Max Print Quality 2400 x 1200dpi 2400 x 1200dpi

Number of Inks 5 (C, M, Y, K, MBK) 4 (C, M, Y, K)

Ink Tanks Switchable During Operation Yes No

Ink Drop Size 4 pl per colour 5 pl (colour), 15 pl (black)

Ink Cartridge Capacity 330ml / 700ml for C,M,Y,K, MBK 400ml CMY, 775ml Black

Number of Nozzles 15,360 4,192

Number of Printheads 1 8

Line Accuracy +/- 0.1% or less +/- 0.1% or less

Minimum Line Width 0.02mm (theoretical value) 0.075mm

Minimum Print Margins Borderless 5mm (small)

Maximum Outside Diameter of Roll Paper 150mm 180mm

Maximum Printable Paper Length 18m (varies according to OS) 175m

Maximum Media Thickness 0.8mm 0.4mm

Maximum Cut-Sheet Media Length 1.6m No cut-sheet capability

Maximum Media Weight 280gsm 328gsm

Maximum Media Rolls 2 Rolls 2 Rolls

Optional Media Handling Media take-up unit Stacker, automatic inline folding device

Standard RAM 384 MB 256 MB

Maximum RAM 384 MB 512 MB

Hard Drive 80 GB 40 GB

InterfaceEthernet / USB standard, FireWire optional

Ethernet / FireWire standard / USB optional

PDL GARO, HP-GL/2, HP RTL, HDI HP GL/2, HP RTL, HDI (other PDLs supported with 4500PS model)

Net Weight (unpacked) 141Kg with stand and basket 185 Kg out of package

Power Consumption When in Standby 1W or less 1W

Power Consumption When Active 190W or less 500W maximum (active)

Acoustic Pressure Standby 35 dB (A) or less 46 dB (A)

Acoustic Power 6.8 Bels (A) or less 6.3 Bels (A)

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Driver Feature Set

Canon imagePROGRAF iPF820 Advantage HP DesignJet 4500

Speed Settings 4 (max of three with any paper type) 3

Economy Mode Yes (available with Draft setting only) No

Predefined Profiles 14 7

Overview of Profile Settings Provided Yes No

Media Profiles 17 19

IQ Optimized for Options Image / Line drawings / Office doc Drawings-Text / Images

Watermark Yes No

Mirror Image No Yes

Image Rotation Yes Yes

Option of Preview Before Print Yes Yes

Link to Device Web Server from DriverYes (from status monitor icon on first tab) Yes (from ‘Status of my device’ icon

on services tab)

CMYK Balance Adjustment Yes Yes

Brightness Adjustment Yes No

Contrast Adjustment Yes No

Saturation Adjustment Yes No

Advanced Colour Management Options

Driver matching mode, ICC matching mode, driver ICM mode, host ICM mode, rendering intent options in each mode for image, graphics and text elements

ColorSmart/sRGB, AdobeRGB1998, Managed by application, Printer Emulation

Unidirectional Printing Yes No

Cost of Ownership

Table 1

Amount of ink in each Canon iPF820 cartridge

Cyan Magenta Yellow Black Matte Black

Weight of cartridge prior to installation

474.6g 472.5g 467g 474.8g 470.9g

Weight of cartridge at end of life

115.6g 115.4g 114.7g 114.9g* 114.0g

Net weight of ink 359.0 357.1g 352.3g 359.9g 356.9g

*Based on mean average weight across the C, M, Y and MBK cartridges

Table 2

Amount of ink in each HP DJ4500 cartridge

Cyan Magenta Yellow Black

Weight of cartridge prior to installation

568.6g 569.2g 570.9g 570.8g

Weight of cartridge at end of life

153.1g 149.7g 155.0g 152.2g

Net weight of ink 415.5g 419.5g 415.9g 418.6g

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Ink used in 200-print run of BLI’s A1 line art architectural test document on the Canon iPF820 in Standard 600-dpi Mode


Net weight of ink used in print run

2.1g 13.5g 0.6g 4.7g 50.5g

Net weight of ink in cartridge

359.0g 357.1g 352.3g 359.9g 356.9g

Percentage of ink used in test

0.6% 3.8% 0.2% 1.3% 14.1%

Overall weight of ink used 71.4g

Percentage of total ink used averaged across all colours 4.0%

Ink used in 200-print run of BLI’s A1 line art architectural test document on the HP DJ4500 in Default Normal (Final) 600-dpi Mode



4.1g 19.2g 8.1g 62.6g


415.5g 419.5g 415g 418.6g


1.0% 4.6% 2.0% 15.0%



Ink used in 200-print run of BLI’s A1 3D CAD test document on the Canon iPF820 in Standard 600-dpi Mode



14.8g 22.4g 23.1g 0.8g 65.2g


359.0g 357.1g 352.3g 359.9g* 356.9g


4.1% 6.3% 6.6% 0.2% 18.3%



Ink used in 200-print run of BLI’s A1 3D CAD test document on the HP DJ4500 in Default Normal (Final) 600-dpi Mode



10.8g 15.4g 3.5g 74.7g


415.5g 419.5g 415g 418.6g


2.6% 3.7% 0.8% 17.8%



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Ink used in 200-print run of BLI’s A1 GIS test document on the Canon iPF820 in Standard 600-dpi Mode



71.9g 36.3g 37.7g 1.5g 22.3g


359.0g 357.1g 352.3g 359.9g* 356.9g


20.0% 10.2% 10.7% 0.4% 6.2%



Ink used in 200-print run of BLI’s A1 GIS test document on the HP DJ4500 in Default Normal (Final) 600-dpi Mode



76.3g 45.5g 38.8g 25.5g


415.5g 419.5g 415g 418.6g


18.4% 10.8% 9.3% 6.1%



* Based on mean average weight across the C, M, Y and MBK cartridges

Ink used in 200-print run of BLI’s A1 3D CAD test document on the Canon iPF820 in Draft 300-dpi Economy Mode



0.6g 6.3g 5.9g 1.1g 21.5g


359.0g 357.1g 352.3g 359.9g* 356.9g


0.2% 1.8% 1.7% 0.3% 6.0%



Ink used in 200-print run of BLI’s A1 3D CAD test document on the HP DJ4500 in Fast (Draft) Mode



12.5g 15.5g 15.5g 61.6g


415.5g 419.5g 415g 418.6g


3.0% 3.7% 3.7% 14.7%



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Ink used in 200-print run of BLI’s A1 GIS test document on the Canon iPF820 in Draft 300-dpi Economy Mode



24.3g 11.5g 11.1g 1.5g 8.7g


359.0g 357.1g 352.3g 359.9g* 356.9g


6.8% 3.2% 3.2% 0.4% 2.4%



Ink used in 200-print run of BLI’s A1 GIS test document on the HP DJ4500 in Fast (Draft) Mode



52.4g 26.6g 25.3g 20.7g


415.5g 419.5g 415g 418.6g


12.6% 6.3% 6.1% 4.9%



Cost of Ownership Test Methodology Overview

Cost of Ownership Test Run

Buyers Lab’s ink consumption analysis was conducted using three document types (line art, 3D CAD and GIS). Each document was formatted as a PDF and sized at ISO A1.

The Canon imagePROGRAF iPF820 was installed in BLI’s lab with the latest level of firmware (as of July 23, 2008) and connected to a Windows XP Workstation using a 1000BaseT TCP/IP connection. The device was left in default configuration through-out testing. The Windows driver was used for all testing and was left in default Stan-dard 600-dpi colour setting configuration with media selection set to plain paper and the image set to print at actual size.

The HP DesignJet 4500 was installed in BLI’s lab with the latest level of firmware (as of July 23, 2008) and connected to a Windows XP Workstation using a 1000BaseT TCP/IP

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3D CAD Test Document

connection. The device was left in default configuration throughout testing. The Win-dows HP-GL2 driver was used for all testing and was left in default Normal (Final) colour setting, with media selection set to plain paper and the image set to print at actual size.

Before installing the ink cartridges, BLI technicians weighed and recorded the weight of each with all packaging removed. At the end of the 200-print test run, the cartridg-es were weighed again and the resulting weight of ink used for the test run calculated for each colour.

After conducting tests in default driver settings, the GIS and 3D CAD / CAM test files were then reprinted following the same procedures with the driver settings changed to reflect the lowest ink usage settings. That is, the HP driver was switched from Normal (Final) to Fast (Draft) mode and the Canon driver setting was switched from Standard (600 dpi) to Draft (300 dpi) with the Economy Printing option.

Canon imagePROGRAF iPF820

Four of the five cartridges (C, M, Y and MBK) were then run to exhaustion and the weight of the empty cartridges was recorded. Due to the fact that the entire contents of the black cartridge could not be depleted within the time of the test, the mean weight of the ink in the four other cartridges was applied to the black cartridge.

HP DesignJet 4500

All four colours were run to exhaustion and the weight of the empty cartridges was recorded.

The percentage of ink used per cartridge was calculated by dividing the net weight of ink used in the print run by the overall weight of ink in each cartridge and multiplying by 100. The results are found in Tables 3 and 4.

The percentage of total ink used per printer was calculated by adding the percent-ages used of each of the cartridges and dividing by the number of cartridges.

GIS Test DocumentLine Art Test Document

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Test Methodology

Test Environment

Testing was conducted in BLI’s European test lab, in an atmospherically controlled environment monitored by a 24/7 Dickson Temperature/RH chart recorder, ensuring that typical office conditions were maintained. All paper used in testing was allowed to acclimatise inside the atmospherically controlled test facility for a minimum of 12 hours before being used.

Test Equipment

BLI’s dedicated test network in Europe, consisting of Windows 2003 servers, Win-dows XP workstations, 10/100/1000BaseTX network switches and CAT5 cabling.

Test Procedures

The test methods and procedures employed by BLI in its lab testing include BLI’s proprietary procedures and industry-standard test procedures. In addition to a num-ber of proprietary test documents, BLI uses industry-standard files including an IT8 test file and an ASTM monochrome test document for evaluating black image quality. In addition to a visual observation, colour print quality and gamut size is evaluated using a 1,400-patch profile software tool from Colour Confidence that was read using an EFI ES-1000 colour spectrophotometer and analyzed using Chromix ColorThink Pro 3.0 software. Density of black and colour output was measured using an X-Rite 508 densitometer.

About Buyers Laboratory Inc

For more than 45 years, Buyers Laboratory has been the leading independent equip-ment testing lab and business consumer advocate for the imaging industry. In addi-tion to publishing the industry’s most comprehensive and accurate test reports on document imaging devices, each representing months of exhaustive hands-on test-ing in BLI’s UK (Wokingham, Berkshire) and US (Hackensack, NJ) laboratories, the company has been the leading source for extensive databases of specifications and pricing on copiers, printers, multifunctional products, wide-format devices and fax machines. The company’s databases cover more than 10,000 products and have a long-standing reputation for being the industry’s most trustworthy and complete source for global competitive intelligence. They are available to BLI subscribers on-line via the company’s bliQ competitive information service. This encyclopedic re-source also provides quick and easy access to BLI’s First Look Reports, Field Test Reports, Lab Test Reports, Solutions Reports, Digital Imaging Review and Business Consumer’s Advisor newsletters and OEM library.

In addition to the testing of equipment for its subscribers, Buyers Laboratory pro-vides a vast array of confidential for-hire private testing services that include docu-ment imaging device beta and pre-launch testing, performance certification testing, consumables testing (such as toner, ink and photoconductors), software and solu-tions assessments, and print media testing (including virgin and recycled papers).

For more information on Buyers Laboratory, please call Dean Armstrong at +44(0) 118 977 2000, visit www.buyerslab.com, or e-mail [email protected].

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