Talking about Digital Image (8) - Digital Image Output Device

This issue is the last issue of digital video. Previous pages include digital video definition, digital input devices (such as digital cameras), digital video production and software. This issue is the ending chapter, I will try to introduce a variety of digital image output devices, of course, in this small space can not cover all products or technologies. There are many types of digital image output devices, which can be roughly divided into products used in general households, products used in professional photography or digital exposure shops, products used in publishing and printing industries, and products for medical, astronomy and scientific research. The former image output device is an analogous form. Today it has entered the digital or electronic age, and most of the products have been added to digital technology. Now the author - a brief introduction to the following eight kinds of digital video output devices, some of you I use in everyday life, others may appear in the advertising publishing and printing industry.

(I) Laser photocopy/printer
The photocopying technology named after Xerography was invented by American Chester Carlson in 1938, and the first photocopier was more than 50 years old. Old-style photocopiers use light bulbs or light tubes for exposure. New laser photocopiers use lasers and digital technology to greatly enhance image quality. Some laser photocopiers can be connected to computers, so we can also regard them as computer printers. On the other hand, some computer printers are equipped with scanners and can be used for photocopying purposes. Color laser photocopying or printers generally have a 600 dpi resolution at this moment, and black and white laser photocopiers or printers are as high as 1200 dpi, which is several times higher than the old quality of a decade ago, and the price is several times cheaper. Usually only A4 or A3 format is available for laser photocopying or printing. The general price ranged from approximately HK$2,000 (black and white machine) to tens of thousands of HK$ (color machine).
(Figure 1)

(b) Inkjet printers
Most of the color printers in the home market use inkjet technology because they are cheaper than color laser printers. In addition to home products (small/desktop), they are actually used for commercial advertising or promotion of medium and large inkjet printers. More than ten feet wide poster can be output by a large inkjet printer (Figure 2). The advantage of inkjet printing is that it can be printed on a variety of materials, in addition to paper, but also metal, glass, plastic or textured surfaces. In addition, inkjet technology has also been used in the drafting, such as Saiyan's Iris professional inkjet printer. The output resolution of professional inkjet printers can be as high as 1800dpi, and home products are as high as 1,440dpi. (Figure II)

(III) Thermal Sublimation Printer
Early sublimation printing technology was a high-tech business application, but it is now also used in general households. In recent years, small thermal sublimation printers have been used in digital photo printing. The home use is generally 3R format, while the flash shop is A4 or A3 format. Because its output is close to a pointless state, color and quality are also close to traditional photographs (the output technology described later is true digital photo printing, and the quality is very high). In addition, this technology is also applied to color proofing or proofreading. The general sublimation printing format does not exceed A3, and the resolution is about 300ppi (not dpi, see Table 1 for explanation). 300ppi (such as 2 4-bit or more per pixel) is a very high resolution, enough for eye satisfaction. (Figure 3)

(d) Digital photo printer Italy's Durst company launched Lambda large-format (50-inch wide-infinity-infinity) digital photo printer in 1996, and later launched the smaller Lambda; Jebsen & Co., Ltd. is Lambda Hong Kong and domestic agents, and Chai Wan ColorSix is â€‹â€‹one of the companies that has a Lambda digital photo output service. American Cymbolic company also has a similar product, that is Lightjet, its largest format is 49 inches by 97 inches; its Hong Kong agent is Kodak, Wan Chai FingerPrint company can provide Lightjet and Kodak LED digital photo printing services. In addition, Sienna FotoPrint, an agent of Aiwaxing, is also a digital photo printer. Its format is only A3 or A4. Due to its small size, it is suitable for professional and small shops. The Durst Lambda, the Cymbolic Lightjet, the Kodak LED Photo Printer and the Sienna FotoPrint can also use traditional photo papers and syrups. The output digital photos are the same as the traditional photo prints and have no dots (continuous tone), but the digital photo ratio Traditional photo colors are significantly brighter and more saturated, while images and lines are also more solid and sharp. In addition to the Kodak LED, which can only output RA4 photo paper, all three of them can output a variety of RA4 and P3 photographic papers and lamps. In addition, except that only Kodak uses LEDs as photographic light sources, all three of them use red, green, and blue lasers. For the four digital photos output, I believe that the quality is very close, the same very beautiful, more traditional photos of drying photos. In addition, because digital photo printers can use traditional shooting materials (a sheet of A4 photo paper costs about $2.5), the cost of materials is much lower than that of sublimation materials (a $4 output cost for an A4). I am very grateful for the information and digital photos provided by the agents and digital output companies. Table 2 lists the maximum output size, resolution, and print speed of the four printers.

Figure 4: 3R Digital Photo Printer (Sublimation Printing Technology)

Figure 5: Italian taxi Lambda digital laser print airport

Figure 6: LightJet 5000 Digital Photo PrinterÂ©FingerPrint Ltd

Figure VII: Willliiam (Fingerprint Ltd)

(e) 35 cm digital slide output machines Such products existed 10 years ago or earlier and are often used for design, advertising or publishing houses. This device can output very high resolution digital slides, a 35mm slide can contain over 10 million pixels, the output of the slide does not point, and the traditional slide show is no different.

Figure eight: 35 cm color digital slide output machine

(6) In addition to traditional mechanical drafting and chemical drafting, digital copying machine is also another option for digital drafting. The advantage of digital copying is that it can output the color draft without the need of the film, which saves the cost and time. It is even more ideal with computer printing or digital printing. There are also many types of digital copying machines, such as inkjet printers, sublimation printers, and digital printers that use lasers. The second monthly issue of 1998 has a more detailed introduction.

Figure 9: Scitex Iris professional inkjet printer, can output 300ppi, equal to 1800dpi print point resolution. Figure 10: The Creo Trendsetter plate-making machine in Heidelberg can output up to 13 plates per hour.

(7) Computer-to-plate (CTP)
In the past one or two years, Hong Kong's printing industry began to accept computer-to-plate making. The popular premium brand is Heidelberg Creo Trendsetter. Companies such as Saige Angel, Screen, Agfa and Cymbolic also provide large-scale CTP PC platesetters in Hong Kong. In addition to large or giant CTP PC platesetters, Hong Kong also has small CTP PC platesetters, and Next Technologies has provided small CTP equipment. Plate making is one of the most arduous tasks for a printing factory. It is often the neck of a large factory. CTP can quickly complete plate making work, increase production efficiency, and improve quality.

(8) Digital Printing
Digital printing machines have been unearthed in recent years and were once one of the hot topics in the printing industry. They are not very popular in Hong Kong and have not become a global climate. Although the author believes that digital printing is one of the inevitable technologies in the future, it is believed to be a long way to be popularized or matured. The more famous brands still seem to be Xeikon, Indigo and Heidelberg DI. The first two are full-digital presses that provide change data printing capabilities (ie, you can print different data on each page, just like your computer printer), while the latter are just Semi-digital presses use computer-controlled plate making and operation. However, the information after plate making is fixed and cannot be changed. Therefore, the content printed on each page is also the same. (Figure 11: Heidelberg Quick Master DI-46 digital press, combined with digital technology and traditional printing processes.)

Table 1: Three Resolution Terms and Meanings

Leisure chairs are a type of furniture used for rest, relaxation, and enjoyment, typically with comfortable seat and backrest designs to provide optimal comfort and support. There are a wide variety of leisure chairs that can be classified based on different functions, materials, styles, and uses. The following will introduce several common categories of leisure chairs.
1. Classification by function:
-Lying chair: Lying chair is a leisure chair that can adjust its angle to meet different needs, and can be used for lying, reading, resting, or sunbathing.
-Lazy chair: Lazy chair is a large and comfortable leisure chair, usually with a wide seat and backrest, which allows people to sit or lie comfortably.
-Leisure sofa: A leisure sofa is a leisure chair with multiple seats that can be used by multiple people at the same time and is usually used for family entertainment or leisure activities.
2. Classification by style:
-Modern style chairs: Modern style chairs usually adopt simple lines and modern design, with fashionable and minimalist characteristics, suitable for modern home decoration.
-Classical style chairs: Classical style chairs usually adopt retro designs and exquisite carvings, with elegant and luxurious characteristics, suitable for classical style home decoration.
-Nordic style chairs: Nordic style chairs usually adopt a simple and natural design, emphasizing practicality and comfort, suitable for Nordic style home decoration.
3. Classification by purpose:
-Indoor leisure chairs: Indoor leisure chairs are suitable for indoor environments such as homes and offices, and can be used for activities such as rest, reading, and watching TV.
-Outdoor leisure chairs: Outdoor leisure chairs are suitable for outdoor environments such as gardens, balconies, terraces, etc., and can be used for outdoor leisure, sun exposure, and other activities.
In short, leisure chairs are multifunctional and diverse furniture that can be chosen according to different needs and preferences. Whether relaxing at home or enjoying the sunshine outdoors, you can find suitable leisure chairs for yourself.