Epson's Scanner Line Delivers High-Resolution Scanning, Fast Scanning Speeds and Unbelievable Quality at Affordable Prices

Epson America Inc. introduced three new EPSON Perfection(R) scanners today that address the needs of a variety of customers from the entry-level home user to the more advanced user. The EPSON Perfection 2400 PHOTO, the Perfection 1660 PHOTO and the Perfection 1260/1260 PHOTO are joining the previously introduced, award-winning EPSON Perfection 2450 scanner to round out the scanner product line. These five EPSON Perfection models vary in price, with the most affordable model priced at less than $100.

The EPSON Perfection 2400 PHOTO, 1660 PHOTO and 1260/1260 PHOTO scanners deliver impressive maximum hardware resolutions of 2400 x 4800 dpi, 1600 x 3200 dpi and 1200 x 2400 dpi, respectively. The scanners each feature 48-bit color depth for remarkable color accuracy. In addition, they boast faster scanning speeds than the previous Epson scanner models for scanning photos, text and graphics with ease. The models also are equipped with four-button automated scanning for scanning images quickly and easily into pre-programmed applications (start, scan to Web, copy and e-mail).

"The EPSON Perfection scanners provide a solution for everyone from the more advanced user to the user that simply wants to organize and archive the shoebox of photos that so many of us have," said Ali Atash, product manager, consumer scanners, Epson. "Epson is committed to offering every customer the best photographic solutions at affordable prices. Because our scanner models are designed and optimized to be perfectly paired with our popular EPSON Stylus Photo ink jet printers, customers will be able to easily create amazing prints."

The EPSON Perfection 2400 PHOTO

The EPSON Perfection 2400 PHOTO is the best choice for graphic artists, amateur photographers and advanced hobbyists with its host of advanced features. This scanner replaces the popular EPSON Perfection 1650 PHOTO scanner model and offers several improvements over the previous model -- a higher resolution of 2400 x 4800 dpi resolution and scanning speeds that are approximately 60 percent faster.

To achieve this scanner's superior resolution, the EPSON Perfection 2400 PHOTO uses Epson's Micro Step Drive(TM) technology which is controlled by an extremely precise stepper motor, onboard memory and intelligent image processing. The EPSON Perfection 2400 PHOTO also utilizes Epson's unique ColorTrue(R) II Imaging System, a technology that integrates superior hardware, optics and image processing to achieve accurate color reproduction and reduced noise.

For increased productivity, the scanner also is conveniently equipped with a built-in 35mm adapter for scanning slides and film strips. It makes the Perfection 2400 PHOTO an ideal scanner for making duplicates or enlargements from any original.

The scanner is stylishly designed with a new metallic look and offers a full-featured, creative software bundle that includes: Adobe(R) Photoshop(R) Elements, EPSON Smart Panel(TM) with NewSoft(TM) OCR and EPSON TWAIN Scanning Software.

With high-speed USB (USB 2.0 on Windows systems) connectivity, the Perfection 2400 PHOTO can be set up quickly and simply. The scanner will be available in early August for an estimated street price of $229 and can be purchased through Epson authorized dealers, consumer electronic stores, mail order, distribution and on the Epson Store Web site (www.epsonstore.com).

The EPSON Perfection 1660 PHOTO

The EPSON Perfection 1660 PHOTO scanner is perfect for value-minded and advanced hobbyists, and home or office environments with its economical price and ease of use. This scanner is unmatched in its class with a resolution of 1600 x 3200 dpi for capturing and reproducing images with incredible detail and accuracy. This model also includes Epson's ColorTrue II technology for vivid scans. As the replacement to the EPSON Perfection 1650, the EPSON Perfection 1660 PHOTO carries the same estimated street price, but now includes a convenient built-in 35mm film strip adapter for scanning multiple 35mm scans. The Perfection 1660 PHOTO is well suited for scanning everything from text to photos and slides. Additionally, this new scanner has an increase in scanning speed of about 70 percent from its predecessor for speeding through challenging scanning applications with ease. The EPSON Perfection 1660 PHOTO includes popular software titles: ArcSoft PhotoImpression(TM), EPSON Smart Panel with NewSoft OCR and EPSON TWAIN scanning software.

The EPSON Perfection 1660 PHOTO is USB compatible (USB 2.0 on Windows) for fast connectivity on most systems. The Perfection 1660 PHOTO will be available in early August for an estimated street price of $179 and can be purchased through Epson authorized dealers, consumer electronic stores, mail order, and on the Epson Store Web site (www.epsonstore.com).

EPSON Perfection 1260/1260 PHOTO

The EPSON Perfection 1260 scanners replace the EPSON Perfection 1250 models and are designed for cost-conscious home users as well as first-time scanner customers. The scanners offer a 20 percent increase in speed for efficient, high-speed performance over the former models. Additionally, these scanners offer no-compromise quality with 1200 x 2400 dpi resolution and simplified ease of use with their fully automatic four-button scanning. The EPSON Perfection 1260 scanners are reliable, quick and easy to set up and are perfect for scanning photos as well as books and magazines with their adjustable lid. The Perfection 1260 PHOTO model comes standard with a versatile 35mm slide adapter unit for scanning negatives and slides. This slide adapter is available as an optional accessory for use with the EPSON Perfection 1260 model.

Several software titles have been included with these models to provide creative possibilities for customers. These titles are: ArcSoft PhotoImpression, EPSON Smart Panel with NewSoft OCR and EPSON TWAIN Scanning software.

The Perfection 1260 and 1260 PHOTO scanner models will be available in August for estimated street prices of $99 and $129, respectively and can be purchased through mail order, distribution and on the Epson Store Web site (www.epsonstore.com).

EPSON Smart Panel Software

All of the EPSON Perfection scanners include the next generation of EPSON Smart Panel software, a comprehensive program that fully integrates all functions of the scanner into one convenient location. This intuitive software provides customers with the ability to initiate scanner functions simply. Two new functions that are now incorporated into Smart Panel are the ability to scan to PRINT Image Matching (P.I.M.) and scanning to Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) devices.

Smart Panel provides an icon for each of the following applications:

• Scan to P.I.M. for use with P.I.M.-enabled photo printers (P.I.M. provides better color accuracy for photos -- visit www.printimagematching.com for more information on this technology)
• Scan to PDA for scanning photos into PDAs
• Copy Utility for making multiple copies of text and photos
• Photo Print for easily enlarging and printing photos, negatives and slides
• Scan to Web for automatically scanning images to the EPSON PhotoCenter Web site
• Scan to File for converting files into PDF files and easily organizing images and documents
• Scan to E-mail for attaching photos to e-mails
• Scan to OCR for converting documents to editable text files
• Scan to Creativity for the creation of greeting cards, calendars and other creative applications
• Scan to Application for directly scanning into a favorite application