I've discovered a little trick that I'd like to share that allows Mac users to update the firmware on any iPF printer. Canon's various worldwide websites are a mess of different installers for Mac and Windows. There are holes in their installers and firmware updates which force users to jump from one regional website to another. Right now none of their sites offer a Mac Firmware updater for the iPF8000 and if you call them they will incorrectly tell you that it can't be done. What's worse is that the Windows firmware installers often mysteriously won't connect to the printer even though you can print to it.
If you look at the folder for the GARO Firmware Update Tool (Mac or PC) you'll see a data folder which is where the firmware update ".jdl" files are that are sent to the printer. They are named for example, "iPF5000V0123.jdl" for the iPF 5000 version 1.23 firmware update. If you download and install the Windows Firmware update for the 8000 or 9000 you can copy the "iPF8000V0120.jdl" and "iPF9000V0120.jdl" files to the mac and use them there just fine. The Mac utility always seems to work while the Windows updater is flakey. It would be great if Canon just made these .jdl files directly downloadable from each of their sites. Canon tech support isn't allowed to email or FTP these files even if you ask them to.
Of course, if you don't have a PC to install the Windows installers on you won't be able to extract the .jdl file you need. If so, email me at
scott@on-sight.com and I'll FTP it to you so you can avoid the Canon support mess and get back to work. The latest firmware updates do deliver impressive quality especially when the Plug-in is used with it's 16bit path with custom 16bit profiles made from 16 bit targets. With this path, Canon's gamut, smoothness and speed are outstanding without a RIP.
