HP 7960

The Direct Printing method on the previous page is very simple, I avoided any reference to the on-line manual. The HP 7960 has a couple of extra features up its sleeve. First you can print a usual index print showing you all the files. This option is selected from the LCD menu Print special, Print Index page. A contact style sheet is printed on plain paper, the file number is printed under each image, my 40 shot file took 2 min 10 sec to print. For plain paper printing the image quality is very good.

The next method is HP's masterstroke. Select Photo proof sheet from the LCD menu and a proof sheet is printed out. This took 2 min 45 sec to print of 20 images, two sheets were required for the complete set of 40. There is an option to just select Print new photos only. Using a dark pen tick the prints you want, select the number required 1,2 or 3 and then select how you want your prints, single 10x15cm, multiple images on one sheet, A4 with or without border.

This is the clever bit, feed the proof sheet back into the bottom tray and select Scan proof sheet from the LCD menu, you will be prompted to disengage the Photo tray if it is pushed in. The printer now scans in your proof sheet and stores the information in its memory. If you forget to tick one of the options (as I did by mistake), then a message on the LCD screen will tell you to fill in the appropriate section and re-do the scan. The scanning took 20 seconds and the final print took 5 minutes. Another feature which I haven't mentioned yet, is the automatic paper recognition, the printer knows if you have photo media or plain paper loaded and will adjust its settings to give the best results on the loaded media. One step further might be to add a bar code on the back of the paper, then there could never be any wasted prints due to wrong settings.

My only criticism of the final four-up print is that the spacing is dreadful, there is a 2.5cm border on the right side and a 3.5cm border on the base, the pictures have a hairline space between them. I would have preferred a little more generous spacing here. The six-up print works much better, the user would need a very steady hand to trim up the prints. The thing to remember after loading your photo paper is to re-set the paper catch extension, both my prints ended up on the floor. I guess after 10 prints on the floor you won't forget.

The direct printing option works very well and gives pleasant colours, In the above left picture only the picture of Sophie has been manipulated. My other daughter Elizabeth has the usual magenta cast which is the hallmark of the Nikon D1. The colours on the second print are vibrant and jump to life, I didn't even have to manipulate them on my computer.

HP's have gone to great lengths to make this Direct Print better than their competitors, in my opinion they have succeeded, the printer performs as claimed. HP are keen to get the message across that this printer also works as a stand alone unit, you don't need to switch on or even have a computer to produce great prints. But they have overlooked one important fact here, users still need to switch on the computer to download their images. An internal hard drive of say 10 - 20 gb would be a really useful feature and it wouldn't take up much space, perhaps the argument on this is, would people pay extra for that feature? If this is not a feasible option then perhaps a USB port to connect an external drive or CD writer.

Would I use the Direct Print Option?

Yes, I would and if I don't then certainly my wife and children will. The results are very good and very simple to use. The built in LCD screen and proof sheet for selecting prints is excellent, if my mother in law likes it and she does, then it has to be good.

© Vincent Oliver 2003 www.photo-i.co.uk
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HP Photosmart 7960 printer

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