Why print directly on CDs?

[Sondra]

I bought the R200 because there's a rebate if you buy it with a camera and I was buying a camera anyway. I haven't opened it yet because I haven't decided whether to keep it.

I have a laser printer but might want color for things like DVD labels. I'm having trouble seeing the advantage of printing directly on DVDs, though, since you can only use special DVDs with labels already on them. I guess I could buy regular DVDs and put labels on them myself before printing, but even then it seems better to print the labels first to make sure they come out all right. Is there a good reason for this feature? Can it be used for anything else?

My one and only Epson (and one and only inkjet) couldn't print black alone unless the color cartridge was filled. Someone at Staples told me how to fool the printer into printing without it and this worked for a while. Then either I forgot his instructions or the printer stopped working and that was the end of it. The R200 has a lot of cartridges and I can just see myself always buying new ones, since they evaporate or somehow get used up merely by existing--unless things have changed since the days of the 880. Nozzle clogging was also a big problem. The one thing I did like then was that normal size Epsons could print on 9x12 envelopes, which is no longer the case.

Is there a way to get the R200 to print without all the cartridges filled? Is nozzle clogging as bad as before?

 

[SKORPI0]

Originally posted by: Sondra
Is there a good reason for this feature? Can it be used for anything else?

The advantage of printing directly on a "Printable DVD" is to avoid the task of having to apply paper label on a DVD. If not properly applied they could do damage to your DVD media and burner.

Is there a way to get the R200 to print without all the cartridges filled?

THe only way I can think of is use a chip resetter to fool the printer that the cartridge is still filled with ink. I've refilled my cartridges with this ink.

Is nozzle clogging as bad as before?

I've had this printer since late Dec 2004. So far no ink clogging problem. Just make sure that you print something at least once a week. Anyway the printer cleans the nozzles everytime you turn on the printer.

 

[NightCrawler]

The Canon printer's from the UK rock, no epson pos to deal with and much cheaper ink.

 

[Zepper]

Yes, all ink tanks need to be installed for the printer to work. And you need to keep all the nozzles exercized or you will have clogging problems. This summer some of the new Canon Pixma models will have the ability to print driectly on CDs too (like the Euro versions).
. If you don't need color printing right now, sell the Epson and either buy one of the current Canon Pixma line (very cheap offers currently plus a $20. or more rebate on some models) or wait 'til summer for the new Pixmas.

.bh.

:moon:

 

[CanonTray]

Hey guys,
Maybe a tad off topic, but I think you'll want to hear this.
As most of you know, Canon PIXMA Printers have the capability to print directly to printable CD/DVD's (I have an IP4000 and mine prints nearly perfect discs)
This capability is disabled in the American versions but not in the European models.
A few of us got together and discovered a simple way to enable CD/DVD printing on these printers. The two parts you need (the cd Tray and the insert for printing mini-cd/dvd's are not sold in the US).
Well, myself and some of the people from a similar Forum have found a way to not only enable CD/DVD printing but also I have worked with some European contacts and are selling the parts needed to print cd/dvd's.
The full descriptions on how to enable your Canons and the links to the software as well as how to get the parts can be found here: http://www.stevesforums.com/forums/view_topic.php?id=36631&forum_id=40&page=40
If you would like info on ordering the Tray and Insert, email me at canon_tray@charter.net and I'll be glad to set you up.
Finally, after much research and hours of contacting friends in Europe we have finally made this a reality.
Please email me at the above address if you care for a set of parts and links to instructions on turning on this function in US versions.
Regards,
Blake

 

[linjy2]

i just went to epson r200 after my canon s800 crapped out in less than a year. something with faulty circuit in this line of model.

 

[QueBert]

Just my 2 cents, I've owned 2 Epson r200's. I loved the output quality, disliked the slow speed. HATED the fact both of them developed issues with taking in the CD Tray. The ink costs on newer Epsons is very low, I never really had to run a head cleaning. Overall the Canon's are cheaper, and hopefully will last longer.

The Canon ip4000 is a great value, I'll comment on the CD printing when the tray I won off Ebay finally gets here 🙂

but, if you go with the Epson you won't be disipointed with the quality of the prints. Mostly everyone who saw disc's I printed had a hard time beliving they came from a 100$ printer 🙂