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PageOne · 11-15-2009, 10:52 PM

I've been using FDRP enhanced on my HP 5500 for a little while now and wondering if anyone has given it a try, especially on the Z6100 (I'm thinking of buying one and wondering if it's worth building new profiles for it). It slows down the rip time, but really seems to reduce the graininess in the black. There seems to be very little being said out there about it. I did a web search and all I really found were reprints of Onyx's press release about it being a new feature in v7.2. Maybe it's only advantageous on older printers like the 5500.

It would be nice if Onyx (or paper vendors) provided profiles using it, but I suppose that's a lot of work and a lot to ask.

Anyway, just curious if anyone had any thoughts. Thanks.

jonkovach · 11-16-2009, 05:08 AM

It looks as though one of the main benefits of the FDRP Enhanced Dot Pattern, and correct me if I'm wrong, is that it smooths out solid color areas. I used to have tons of problems with the 5500 printing light colored bands through solid areas. No printhead issues, just poor quality. The Z6100 has completely eliminated that, and I use a stochastic dot pattern.

Not sure if that helps, and I'm sure there is more to it than that, but just my two cents.

Jon

Hotspur · 11-16-2009, 06:19 AM

Hi

Interesting to hear you found it improved an HP5500 - I've not seen a great improvement using it I have to admit.

I think it was originally aimed at the grand formats with really coarse patterns and for me it didn't make much difference on these.

The HP5500 had a dot size of 12pl - the Z6100 is 4/6pl from memory so you will see a big jump in quality anyway.

Also blacks & grey tones will be smoother due to the extra black heads in the Z6100.

On top of this you can print with a Contone profile path in the Z6100 which uses the printers own dot pattern instead of the onyx Stochastic and you will find this even smoother.

jonkovach · 11-18-2009, 10:23 AM

You have not seen an improvement, really? Wow... I have seen a major improvement with the Z6100...
The only problem I have with Contone, is you lose control over the profile process. Certain things become "automatic" and you can't get the exact color results you may want.