Product Almanac: 30 September 2009
Keep up-to-date with the latest releases. This week sees the release of GMG’s new GMG PrintControl and RapidCheck 2.0 while Eizo launches new ColorEdge monitors.
GMG announces GMG PrintControl and RapidCheck 2.0
Effective control of printing processes and compliance with international standards is made easier than ever.
GMG, supplier of high-end color management and proofing solutions, announces the availability of GMG PrintControl and GMG RapidCheck 2.0 within the next 30 days. The new version 2.0 is being demonstrated at Print 09 in Chicago from September 11-16. It makes standardization easier than ever for almost any print house, and additionally targets press manufacturers, producers of inks, paper, plates and blankets, as well as advertising agencies and print buyers.
Standardisation and process control automatically lead to increased production reliability and productivity. With GMG PrintControl and RapidCheck 2.0, GMG now offers an even more user-friendly solution for easily and inexpensively controlling printing processes, the operating concept being completely revised.
Improved user interface
In both programs, a wizard guides the user through the entire standardization and control process. As a result, nothing can be forgotten and there is substantially less probability of errors. This boosts productivity and production reliability. The user can handle everything himself and has no need to call on the services of experts to standardize the printing process.
Integrated "troubleshooter"
The software includes basic knowledge in a "Knowledge Base" that, for example, describes the different standards and calibration methods supported, and contains notes for printers, telling them what they need to pay attention to in order to be able to produce in accordance with a defined standard, etc. Furthermore, explanations and correction notes for assessing and improving printing results are included.
NPDC support
In addition to ISO standards 12647-2 and -3, both GMG PrintControl and GMG RapidCheck 2.0 support the NPDC (= Near Neutral Print Density Curve) calibration method on the basis of neutral gray. This is of great importance for the American and Asian markets.
ISO-compliant report
The report in GMG PrintControl and GMG RapidCheck 2.0 has been revised. It now complies with the ISO guidelines, i.e. it contains all the information needed for ISO certification, which is particularly important for users who are aiming for PSO certification. It additionally serves as proof of production in accordance with the defined standard, as the printing conditions can be traced and re-checked at any time.
Database for analyses
A new feature is a database for determining trends, averages and comparisons. Print jobs measured in GMG RapidCheck 2.0 are stored in the database and can be used for analyses. This is a useful function for printers, for example, since it quickly enables them to ensure that the print products delivered are always of the same, high quality. They can use GMG RapidCheck to document that production complied with the requirements.
Anyone interested in getting an impression of the new software can download a demo version of GMG PrintControl/RapidCheck from GMG's website at www.gmgcolor.com.
"The significance of standardized printing processes in the graphic arts industry has grown substantially in recent years. We are convinced that more effective and sustainable process control, based on international or user-defined in-house standards, will acquire even greater importance in the future. Tools like GMG PrintControl and GMG RapidCheck are needed that offer the businesses involved the possibility of producing the required quality and at the same time achieving high profitability in order to stay competitive," says Paul Willems, CEO of GMG GmbH & Co. KG.
New Eizo monitors offer ultimate image performance
Eizo Oceania has announced the availability of the new ColorEdge CG243W 24.1-inch (61.2cm) widescreen monitor for pre-press, photographic, video, post-production and animation applications.
“Today, many creative professionals are working in a cross-media environment; they can be designing a colour-critical brochure one day, and editing Flash animations or a video the next,” says Eizo Oceania’s managing director, Matthew Bauer. “The new Eizo ColorEdge CG243W monitor has many advanced features that make it the ideal choice for still or moving images, or both.”
For the graphic arts user, the ColorEdge CG243W fulfills FOGRA’s ‘Monitor PreCert’ Class A criteria, meaning that integrators of soft proofing solutions can deploy the CG243W with confidence when submitting to FOGRA for system certification. Colour accuracy is further assured with a new patented temperature sensor that suppresses fluctuations caused by changes in ambient temperatures and start-up/power-save modes. Delta E screen variance is three or less thanks to Eizo’s Digital Uniformity Equalizer.
For the film and video user, Eizo’s new monitor accepts 10-bit PC signals via its DisplayPort connection and can display a phenomenal 1.07 billion colours from a palette of 68 billion. DV1-1 digital/analogue 8-bit display input is also included for connection to up to three PCs.
Achieving a colour gamut of 98 per cent of Adobe RGB colour space and 100 per cent of broadcast video, Eizo’s new LCD monitor yields a native resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels (16:10 aspect ratio) and, most importantly, ultra-wide 178 degree horizontal and vertical viewing angles – enabling clear viewing of images from any position in a collaborative or client-to-creative meeting environment.
“This really is a top-end all-round performance monitor,” continues Bauer, “we are extremely proud of what our engineers have achieved. One such advancement is that the CG243W hosts its own hardware calibration, rather than relying on the computer’s graphics card. The on-board ColorNavigator software works with measuring devices and a 3D (RGB cubic) monitor-based 12-bit look-up table, to ensure that the monitor ‘knows’ it is within calibration specifications and nothing is lost in translation between the PC and monitor. This software, along with the ambient light hood, is all included with the monitor.”
The list of additional features for the new Eizo ColorEdge CG243W monitor is extensive, but a stand-out feature is the five year warranty. It is available now through Eizo Oceania’s channel partners in the Graphic Arts, Photographic and Film/Video sectors.