These slices are a good way to show the strengths and weaknesses in many areas.
This comparison shows the just of what is happening. On the left there is the z3100 and on the right the Epson 4000.
Both printers were loaded with HP Super Heavy Weight Matte. The same test chart was played out on both devices and both charts were read with the z3100's spectrophotometer.
This was done with the new firmware in the z3100 but the paper used was not yet optimised. There has been subsequent changes made and although the z3100 does improve noticeably, the overall situation still shows a problem especially in the areas ringed in red.
Not all media is created alike. Because X printer does better on Y media doesn't say that X printer will not be satisfactory on V paper. The Smooth HP Fine Art is a lot better at doing reds on the Z than it does on HW matte or off the shelf Hahnemuhle PR for example. The smooth fine art is optimised for these inks , the others are not.
If the media set up can be added and or have a better characterisation for HW matte, then that would be good news for the users of these non optimised media types.
I'll bet that Robert and others are thrilled to know that the failure of their printers to print saturated reds is because they have failed to implement proper procedures "to get the best out of your printer." The above statement is a flat denial that there is even a problem.
It's easy to see HP have a keen interest in listening to any and all subjects concerning their products. This interest is not only financial, it is also a question of pride and doing the their best. Reports here and from many other sources are both positive, and in infrequent cases negative.
They take particular notice to the negative comments, as these comments are are the louder of the two types. Maybe I'm alone in the digital world, but many others also feel the same; we'd rather have a company stand behind their products and continue to improve them as they can. It's quite shocking that certain of you find it incorrect to say the least that HP are indeed working to improve on these and other areas for a released product.
The document , not that I am about to try to find word for word some betrayal, is just about helping users to ensure they do indeed have everything right to get the best they can from their printers.
If you look into the reds on media profiles you'll see gains in reds that bring them back to a point of having good tonal separation, smoothness, and quite saturated in all the L levels that can be improved. Speaking about denial points me back to when I said the Epson K3 inkset, (have any Epson UC inkset must be even better according to some) will have better dark saturation, especially in reds. I also said that the entire gain in greens, blue greens both of which make the best landscape prints ever seen are colours outside of any Epson printer , the reply was deny anything other than saturated reds.
What seems to be a question of ignorance is thinking that HP eng. have not fully studied their Z printers , nor their competitors products. Absolutely false. Anyone believing this are ignorant or being misled. Anyone thinking that it is a turn of a switch to make an a media setup for a 11 colour/12 ink printer also have little understanding. Working with the given inkset takes time, and patience on all sides including us the users. The consequences have to be tested fully before they can be made firmware, otherwise the users who may not only seek saturated reds be very dissapointed with all the perfectly good aspects they already have.
Since HP are concerned with trying very hard to get the most out of the problem areas that you are having with reds, it is in good faith you are privy to certain media set ups and or profiles to test. These are all outside of Beta cycles. Do you see any other company working this way ?
It is therefore all the more important that forum participants like Robert continue to post their findings, instead of just congratulating HP for turning out a defensive newsletter that essentially denies that there is even a problem even while it acknowledges the reports of the problems.
While Robert is looking for his reds, HP are helping Robert look for his reds, all of HP are reading this forum to help Robert look for his reds, HP makes a document to help ensure users know how to get what reds they can, you take offense to this. The lat sentence is too far out there to deserve comment.