Epson
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Press Releases - March 2007

Epson’s new PictureMates offer you a premium quality, portable, home photo-lab.

7 March 2007 – Don't lose your precious memories into the depths of your computer hard drive or leave them trapped on memory cards and CDs.  Epson 's new PictureMate PM range with a contemporary and iconic design empowers you to print superior quality photos at home more conveniently and cost-effectively than ever before. 

There are two new models, the Epson PictureMate PM 280 and PictureMate PM 240. They are premium quality 10x15cm photo printers.  Both work in standalone mode, so you don't even need to connect to your computer. They are easy to use with fast print speeds up to 42 seconds per photo. Exclusive to the PictureMate PM 280, is an internal CD drive allowing you to print directly from a CD or save images from your digital memory card to CD. Both printers also provide direct printing from digital camera memory cards, USB DIRECT PRINT™, and PictBridge.

In addition to the superior photo quality, your images will remain colourful and vibrant for a long time. Both photo-labs offer 200 years durability in album storage, so your family photos can be shared for many generations to come.

The PictureMate PM 280 and PM 240 also feature the latest Epson PhotoEnhance technology.  It automatically detects the type of scene in an image and adjusts the colour reproduction and contrast, for example, in your portrait photos the technology recognises the presence of a person and adjusts skin tone and brightness to provide you with a premium quality photo. You can also further improve your photos using the crop and red-eye removal features. For your added convenience, Epson has ensured you can access all of the quality enhancing features in standalone mode so you don't need a computer. You simply edit your photos directly from the 2.5inch colour preview monitor.

Both models incorporate Epson 's Advanced Variable Sized Droplet Technology (Advanced VSDT).  With five different droplet sizes they use the smallest droplet of two picolitres for areas where fine detail is required and larger droplets where there are blocks of colour in your image.  As well as allowing Epson to provide fast printing speeds, Advanced VSDT works in harmony with the Epson Micro Piezo ™ print head to produce premium quality photos with smooth gradations and tonality.

The PictureMate PM 280 and PM 240 also feature a variety of presentation formats.  You can choose from colour, black and white or sepia. Get creative with your photos by adding fun-frames, clip-art and text. Choose a template for a special occasion, for example, to create a birthday card or invitation.  Both models also offer a range of flexible layout options. You can choose to print 20 photos to a single sheet of 10x15cm photo paper to create an index card for your CD enabling you to quickly identify your photos at a later date.  Alternatively you can print four photos to a page which are suitable for identification cards or print your photos with or without a border.

If you want to print your photos in situations where a main power supply is not available, Epson has designed an optional battery pack, ensuring you can print your photos anywhere. 

Epson has designed both models to deliver cost-effective photos, without any sacrifice in quality.  The Epson PicturePack is designed to accompany both products and contains everything you need for 150 photos.  Epson has also launched an additional PicturePack for 50 photos.  So whether you want to print just a few of your favourite photos or all of them, there is a PicturePack to meet your needs.

Hans Dummer, general manager at Epson SA says, “The benefits delivered by the PictureMate PM 280 and PM 240 ensure they are an essential and valuable addition to any family home.  You can print your own superior quality photos quickly, easily and efficiently. You have full control of what you print and when you print it.  The additional quality enhancing features and creative templates ensure that regardless of your level of technical expertise, you can manage your own photographic memories to share with your friends and family”

 Epson PictureMate PM 280 and PictureMate PM 240 key features summary:

No need for a computer – enjoy flexible photo printing directly from your digital camera memory card, Pictbridge digital camera, USB DIRECT PRINT or optional Bluetooth adapter

  • Affordable printing with the Epson PicturePack.  Choose from 150 or 50 photos.  RRP including VAT R2 999 or R2 199, available from Foto Cats and Universal Image
  • Print photos with increased speed using Advanced Variable Sized Droplet Technology – up to 42 seconds per photo (printing from your computer)
  • View and edit photos on 2.5inch colour preview monitor
  • Your photos will last 200 1 years in albums
  • Achieve premium quality prints every time with Epson PhotoEnhance technology
  • Get creative with various presentation options, including black and white and sepia tones, fun frames and clip art
  • Achieve vivid, lifelike images with 5760x1440 dpi

 

The Epson art photo award 2007/2008 is again open for entries to find the best photographic art.

The Epson art photo award 2007/2008, now in its third, year has become one of the most lucrative contests for young talent in the photographic arts. All classes, teams at academies, colleges and other educational centres worldwide are invited to participate by submitting their best images and concepts. Entries can be submitted from March 1, 2007 to January 31, 2008 .  Once again ART COLOGNE will exhibit the winning entries.

In addition to a total of 37,500 euros in prize money, the Epson art photo award 2007/2008 gives winners the chance to take part in a much-respected special exhibition at ART COLOGNE 2008. The Epson art photo award 2007/2008 has no thematic restraints. It is seeking the best, most innovative and most pioneering concepts related to the creative use of the photographic medium. For further information, details and an application form about the Epson art photo award visit www.art-photo-award.com

The Epson art photo award honours the best class or group for their overall achievements, the best individual artist from all groups and 25 additional artists from among the entire group submissions. The best class/group will receive 15,000 euros, the best individual artist from all groups 10,000 euros and the 25 additional prize-winning artists from among the entire group submissions 500 euros each. In addition to the presentation of all the winning photos at ART COLOGNE from April 16 – 20, 2008 , winning entries will be published in the Epson art photo award catalogue and online .

 

The Epson EMP-TWD3 projector brings big-screen entertainment into any room.

28 March 2007 - The EMP-TWD3 is the latest Epson entertainment system to incorporate the renowned 3LCD projector experience of Epson with the superior audio and DVD capabilities of JVC. This portable home projector is ideal for watching movies, games and sports on the big screen.

Home cinema projectors are no longer restricted to the rich and famous nor do you need to be a technology expert to install one in your home. The Epson EMP-TWD3 is a true home entertainment centre that has been designed for ease of use while delivering the highest-quality images and stereo sound. The easy installation means you simply need to plug it in, insert your DVD and within eight seconds you could be watching your favourite film. It is HD compatible and is easily connected to your computer, games console or digital camera.  It comes complete with its own 80” home cinema screen which rolls up easily for storage when not in use.

You can use your EMP-TWD3 almost anywhere in your home. It weighs just 7kg so you can carry it between rooms and with just one power lead you can start watching your DVD's without the worry of reconnecting a host of cables.  Achieving a big screen image is also easy. Horizontal and vertical lens shift allows the lens to shift up, down, left and right, helping you to move your screen to the perfect position.  You can then project a 60” image from less than 1.5 metres away and when not in use, you can simply pack it up to be neatly stored away. 

Epson's 3LCD technology and the innovative Epson Cinema Filter ensures you can benefit from bright, vibrant and sharp images, and with 1200 ANSI lumens you can continue to enjoy a big screen, even in lighter rooms. The multi-directional 10W stereo speakers from JVC bring you high-definition sounds to complete your own home cinema experience.

If you want to change your settings, a clearly displayed front control panel and remote control will help you to get the picture you want, quickly and easily. Four different colour modes mean you can chose the ideal setting for your room. For example, Living Room Mode is ideal for light rooms while Theatre Mode will provide the best quality in a darker environment.  If you are using your EMP-TWD3 in a dark room, the remote control will illuminate, so you don't even need to leave your seat to switch on the light.

Hans Dummer, general manager of Epson South Africa , says, “The Epson EMP-TWD3 brings big screen fun to the home. It combines contemporary design with superior imaging, sound technology and portability. It is the ideal home projector for families because it is so easy to set up and use. It is the perfect way to watch films, listen to music, play computer games or enjoy a slideshow of family photos and videos.”

Epson EMP-TWD3 key features summary:

  • An innovative home entertainment system featuring Epson 3LCD projector and JVC DVD reader and multi-directional stereo speakers (2 X 10W)
  • Compact and lightweight (7kg) for easy storage and portability
  • Achieve a 60” screen from less than 1.5m or 30” screen from just 73cm
  • Small and efficient projector lamp – Epson's Twin Optimised Reflection Lamp (E-TORL)
  • High quality images with the Epson Cinema Filter