Received this from my Epson Lexjet rep today.

[dgberg]

I never like to upgrade firmware and this scares me even more. Another attempt to lock out expired or third party inks? I hope my suppliers keep carrying the standard HDX inks.


Hello,
 
I'm writing to inform you of an important change to the ink cartridges of several Epson SureColor® printer models (P6000, P7000, P8000, and P9000) due to an ongoing chip shortage. This transition also involves an essential firmware update.
 
As of June 1, 2023, Epson will shift its UltraChrome® HD and HDX ink cartridges to a new design with updated part numbers. To ensure smooth operation of your Epson SureColor® printers, it's crucial to complete an immediate firmware update BEFORE installing the new cartridges or depleting your current ink supply.
 
You can find and install this firmware update by visiting https://epson.com/support/wa00941
 
Please note that while the cartridges are changing, the formulation and quality of Epson inks remains the same, maintaining their exceptional standards. The new cartridges will not include a chip to signal low ink levels. Instead, your printer will precisely count ink droplets, potentially alerting you earlier when ink is low. In recognition of this change, Epson is reducing the purchase price for end-users.
 
Your prompt action to update the firmware will help you avoid unnecessary downtime and service calls. Moreover, it will allow you to seamlessly use new and old ink cartridges during this transition period.

From my Lexjet rep.

[mcbroomf]

Thanks for posting this Dan. 

My P8000 will be affected so I just ordered my next 2 lowest inks to stave this off so that I don't need to rely on the 1st iteration of this FW update. 

I'll be sure to check that the cartridges are chipped when I get them just in case.

[Lessbones]

!!!

It actually sounds like the opposite-- they're turning off the chips entirely with this firmware, which would make it much easier to use 3rd party stuff.

If there's no chip on these new cartridges, then there's no way for them to keep track of which cartridge you have installed, so resetting should just be a matter of reseating it...  Very interesting...

[mcbroomf]

I agree ... I just don't like to be the 1st user of novel FW.  If my printer hangs in there until I start getting low on other colours I may think about switching brands (and by that time others will be able to tell us if it's simple).

[dgberg]

Since I don't trust them I will sit back and wait as well. One of my P8000's is converted to dye sub with refillables and one use chips and the other is Epson OEM ink.
I can just see something hidden in that new firmware that will muck me up.  They always have some method to the madness.

[mcbroomf]

I wonder how they will make the printer know that a new/full cartridge has just been inserted.  With no chip it won't be automatic and it can't just be a change in cartridge in case you remove and replace the same one to agitate it.  My 1st thought is that they'll add a requirement in the FW to have you add the cartridge serial number which will be a unique number for Epson and can't be re-used once empty.

Anyway, we will see ...

[dgberg]

On my dye sub P8000 I have the refillable 700ml carts with a one use chip. I need to check with Ink Owl to determine if they still have the replacement chips.
If so I can continue with this printer refilling with dye sub ink and replacing the chip when needed.
I have several of these refillable Ink Owl carts in my other pigment P8000. I recently received several new 700ml ink carts with bad chips but are full of ink.
I just draw the ink out of those carts that have a bad chip and put it into the refillable carts.
As long as those 700ml carts with replaceable chips are available I will keep doing what I am doing.
It certainly is a fair amount of work but in the last 10 years I have pulled close to 10,000ml of ink from unusable carts this way.
From the numbers I am keeping my average cost for all this ink is around .05 a ml. Many I received free and quite a few I paid .10 to.15 a ml. Well worth the effort.
Might even be a win win if Epson lowers the ink price I can just buy those carts, pull the ink out and put it in my refillables.

Just got off the phone with Ink Owl and they have no shortage of refillable carts and one time chips. (I only asked them about my P8000's.)
So if you have refillables and you stay away from any Epson firmware update things will work as normal. You can purchase the new ink carts but they will not work in the printer.
You will have to draw that ink out and put it in your refillables.

[mcbroomf]

This posted on Petapixel today;

https://petapixel.com/2023/06/02/popular-epson-photo-printers-must-be-updated-or-new-ink-wont-work/

Just highlighting the last 3 paragraphs

“This measurement method may lead to an earlier indication of low ink levels than the previous cartridges,” Epson says. It is possible to continue to print beyond when the printer says it is running low, but users will be flying blind.

The company is aware that this method is less precise and will potentially result in more ink waste — potentially as much as 20% — and is preemptively lowering the cost of the cartridges to compensate customers.

These new ink cartridges will start to appear on the market this month, replacing old stock. A full list of all affected printers and cartridges as well as instructions on how to update a printer’s firmware can be found on Epson’s website.

https://epson.com/support/wa00941

[dgberg]

The small print says once you update the firmware you can use the old and new carts. What they "do not" tell you is what else does that firmware block.
I am going to stay far away from this one. I have a full set of refillables. Once I run out of the old carts I will just purchase the new cheaper inks and pull that oem ink out and put it in the refillables.
I can pull 100% of that ink out of every oem cart and put it back in a refillable. No waste period.

[digitaldog]

!!!

It actually sounds like the opposite-- they're turning off the chips entirely with this firmware, which would make it much easier to use 3rd party stuff.

No, it is an older chip hence the need for the newer firmware to support it. Nothing more really. Due to chip shortage, Epson carts have to revert to the older chips and that's why, if you want even consider using the new cartridges, you MUST update the firmware. This will have no effect on 3rd party stuff whatsoever.

[mcbroomf]

No, it is an older chip hence the need for the newer firmware to support it. Nothing more really. Due to chip shortage, Epson carts have to revert to the older chips and that's why, if you want even consider using the new cartridges, you MUST update the firmware. This will have no effect on 3rd party stuff whatsoever.

No, they are going chipless

"The current ink cartridges have a chip that notifies the printer to send a low ink warning or to replace cartridges. The new ink cartridges will operate without that chip. Ink levels will instead be determined by an internal droplet count done by the printer."
https://epson.com/support/wa00941

[digitaldog]

I have it directly from Epson USA this is a different chip!
They are not going chipless!
They will operate without the older chip!
In any event, you must update the firmware with the new cartridges!

https://epson.com/support/wa00941?utm_source=support&utm_medium=van&utm_campaign=us-ils-pseries-support

[degrub]

"cartridges will operate without that chip" -> "current ink cartridges have a chip that notifies the printer to send a low ink warning or to replace cartridges"
"without that chip" refers to a specific chip or version  of a chip.

i have not seen their statement that they are removing chips completely. The way i read their statement above is that the chip that was supposed to be in the cartridge to provide the listed functions will not be there due to unavailability of manufacturing. So they are using a different approximation with a previous version that they have available  - either in recycled cartridges or remaining supply of the older chip.

[digitaldog]

Exactly.
The assumption there is no chip or this now changes anything to do with 3rd party inks is fantasy and delusional.
Facts: if you get the new cartridge, it must have the supported firmware to now work. That's all the new firmware is for! Simple.

[dgberg]

It may not be all that that firmware is for. (speculation)
For someone like me that is using OEM ink in my one P8000 but in refillable carts that firmware update will more than likely kill my 3rd. party chips.
Cannot risk it.

[digitaldog]

It may not be all that that firmware is for. (speculation)
For someone like me that is using OEM ink in my one P8000 but in refillable carts that firmware update will more than likely kill my 3rd. party chips.
Cannot risk it.

It is (but you can enjoy conspiracy theories and speculations) and if you use new Epson inks, you'll have no choice.
Full stop.

[deanwork]

Aren’t there refillable carts and ink for the big Canon printers? I know there is for the HP Z series.

It’s the end of the line for doing that with the new Epsons.….although….. we thought it was the case for the
P series until that was eventually  hacked.

Maybe you can ask one on the new large language models to write you some alternative drivers.


John

It is (but you can enjoy conspiracy theories and speculations) and if you use new Epson inks, you'll have no choice.
Full stop.