Contex Introduces New Wide Format Scanners

By DE Editors

Contex (Alleroed, Denmark, and Herndon, VA), has announced the availability of two new Energy-Star compliant wide-format scanners—the HD Ultra and the SD3600—and version 2 of its Nextimage imaging software for scanning, copying, and printing.

The HD Ultra from Context shown here as a multi-function product, which includes a high stand that allows users to combine the wide-format scanner with most large-format inkjet and LED printers.

The SD3600 technical document scanner from Contex shown here in its multi-function configuration.

The HD Ultra wide-format scanner is built with Contex’s next generation xDTR2 (extended data transfer rate) technology with Gigabit Ethernet and USB2, which is said to accelerate real-world performance with multiple speed enhancement features. Contex reports that the HD Ultra, which is available in 36- and 42-in. widths, offers twice the speed of its predecessor, delivering 6-ips (inch per second) scanning speeds and 901 monochrome and 597 color scans per hour.

New HD Ultra features include precision camera technology, intelligent calibration, and the AccuColor enhancement algorithm for 48-bit color capture and processing. Also new are one-touch control, fail-safe paper loading, and automatic size detection. Additionally, users can now field-upgrade scanning resolution, speed, width, color, or Gigabit Ethernet without changing hardware.

The HD Ultra comes in Professional and Office versions. Designed for high-volume applications, the HD Ultra Professional provides a scanning resolution of 1200x1200 dpi and support for RGB color with speeds up to 6 ips. The HD Ultra Office is designed for occasional or low-volume scanning and collaborative or workgroup sharing environments. This unit can scan documents of various sizes and conditions, including complex photos and fine art. The HD Ultra Office features 600-dpi and 1-in. scanning per second in color speed. The HD Ultra will also be available as a multi-function product (MFP) that comes with a stand for combining the scanner with most large-format inkjet and LED printers.

The SD3600 is a 1200-dpi technical document scanner with 48-bit color capture for drawings, schematics, blueprints, and sketches. Described as a compact and lightweight, this 36-in. addition to the company’s SD wide format scanner series offers instant-on scanning, one-touch interface, and a new automatic scanner maintenance system.

The SD3600 has an “all-wheel drive” design that, according to the company, provides a straight scanning path with an optimal hold across the width of large documents to prevent image distortion. Also equipped with xDTR technology, the SD3600 can produce 324 color scans and 744 mono scans (A1) per hour, according to Contex.

The SD3600 is also available as a multi-function product. When paired with Nextimage software, users can connect the SD3600 to most office printers, copiers, or large-format inkjet and LED printers.

Contex reports that version 2 of its Nextimage imaging software offers several features for monitoring costs and boosting productivity. New accounting capabilities include the ability to track and report on scanner activities by department, project, and user name as well as the ability to track the types of scans produced, such as color or grayscale scans, resolution, file name, and printers used. Among the productivity-enhancing features are multi-page file support and click-free scanning for batch scanning a mix of documents, editing, and reordering images into a single PDF or TIFF file.

Additional new features in Nextimage version 2 include one-touch buttons and integrated printer drivers said to deliver a complete scan-to-print solution with such printers as Canon, Epson, and HP. One-touch buttons enable customization of the scanner’s behavior for individuals’ needs, which lets users program a shared scanner for walk-up users or for those connected over a network.

Nextimage imaging software from Contex.

With Nextimage version 2, Contex now offers the software in three editions: Nextimage MFP, Nextimage Scan + Archive, and Nextimage Repro. Nextimage MFP offers basic scan and copy features, and it centralizes imaging tasks into a single interface for scanning, copying, and printing in color, grayscale, and B/W. Nextimage MFP is available as a bundled solution that comes with a scanner, touch-screen monitor, and high stand.

Nextimage Scan + Archive provides for real-time image adjustments without requiring re-scanning. It features the ability to check scan quality with a single click, auto file-naming templates to facilitate indexing, multi-page file support, job accounting, scan tracking, and support for ICC and closed-loop color copying.

Nextimage Repro adds full-featured copy and print functionality to the Scan + Archive edition and includes a touch-screen interface.

Contex scanning solutions can be purchased from authorized resellers worldwide. Visit www.contex.com for more information.

Go here for details on the HD Ultra.

Download the HD Ultra Series data sheet.

Go here for details on the SD3600.

Download the SD3600 data sheet.

Go here for details on Nextimage version 2.

To see a detailed chart of each edition of Nextimage click here.

Download the Nextimage data sheet.

See why DE’s editors selected the HD Ultra and SD3600 wide-format scanners and Nextimage imaging software as their Pick of the Week.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.