Hi Ernst, thank you for the reply. I'm running a 44 inch z3100ps GP photo. Does this model ship with the HPGL2 print driver that you speak of and if not how much does it cost and where can I purchase it? Thanks again!
Thomas
I have no knowledege whether that is the 24"or 44" upgrade but:
HP-GL2/RTL via Q6692A HP-Gl/2 upgradekit voor de HP Designjet Z2100/Z3100 fotoprinter serie
But your's is not a plain Z3100. With the PS3 driver it will have a limit like 129". You can not even set a longer size in the driver, at least not on the Z3200-PS that I have here. So I guess you used the PCL3 driver instead to do the 163". With the PCL3 driver it may print even longer if used on a Z3100-PS model. At least it does on the Z3200-PS, where I didn't see a problem on a 5 meter print from Qimage.
You should test the printer first before purchasing the upgrade. Take a small, low resolution file that can cover a 43.5" x 200" print in its aspect ratio. Load a cheap paper, can be a sheet 44"wide as well but tell the printer it is a roll. Process that file with the quality and resolution of the print settings at a low level. Watch the printer when it starts printing, if it picks the full 43.5" width you know it should be able to print 200"or larger. If it picks just something like 10" wide at the right side you will know it doesn't go beyond 200". Push the cancel button on the printer in both cases. If it doesn't the full width it either has a length limit of 109"or 129" and you will need the HP-GL2 upgrade driver.
Qimage's Poster/Tiles method usable for Epsons and Canons to go beyond the driver length limit can not be used with the HP Z models as they lack a banner mode in the driver.
met vriendelijke groeten, Ernst Dinkla
Try:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wide_Inkjet_Printers/