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"simple" Question


hyebruin

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The only thing you need is the scanning software that comes with the scanner - there will probably be two sorts with the scanner. One with be a cut-down imaging program that will probably be what the scanner maker thinks is idiot-proof, but which will actually be next to useless, and one, called a "twain compatible driver" that graphics programs like photoshop will use to access the scanner.

 

PS: if your scanner stops and starts during a full page scan then check that the scanner knows which port you are using, and that the software knows the maximum speed of the port. These days all scanners should be able to scan an a4 colour print at 300dpi without continually stopping and starting to allow for data transfer. After I had to reinstall my scanner recently after reformatting my disk drive I forgot to do this and it thought it was connected to a basic 1980s style parallel port (not an enhanced one). Took me a while to figure out what was wrong. I think that usb ports can have a similar problem.

 

Steve

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I think that usb ports can have a similar problem.

Yes. USB 1.1 and earlier have a theoretical transfer limit of about 12Mbps which may not be enough to keep up with high-res image scans. This bandwidth is shared among all USB devices so it will be affect by what other USB devices you have in your link tree.

 

With USB 2.0 and above, this will not be a problem. You have like 500 Mbps available which should be fine even for live digital video!!!!

 

My scanner is firewire which tops out at about 400Mbps (theoretical limit).

 

With parallel port connections, it will be highly dependent on CPU speed, software driver, and other operating system dependent issues. Generally you can expect at least 2MBps (Bytes not bits since you can read 8 bits at a time) but things like ECP and EPP make huge differences in the actual rates.

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