Scanner Review

UMAX Technologies, Inc., a leader in the development of graphics related technologies, is introducing the Mirage IIse, a new large format (A3 size) 11.4" x 17" scanner at an extremely low price of $3695. This single-pass, 36-bit scanner increases productivity by providing batch scanning and pre-press capabilities used by professional graphic designers and publishing professionals.


With an 11.4" x 17" scanning area, the Mirage IIse is ideal for users who want to scan large artwork, multiple images, newspapers, magazines, textiles, aerial and satellite maps or even medical x-ray film. Additional features of the Mirage IIse include:

* High Dynamic Range -- With a Dmax 3.3 dynamic range, the Mirage IIse can detect highlight and shadow details, producing full image scans with exceptionally sharp quality.
* CDS Technology -- Uses CDS (Correlated Double Sampling) to purify image signals and filter noise to ensure perfect image quality.
* High Speed Capabilities -- Featuring a 3MB buffer and proprietary, bus-caching design, Mirage IIse is capable of scanning an 11.4" x 17" image at 700 dpi in 66.7 seconds.
* Intuitive Software Interfaces -- MagicScan provides a resizeable high resolution preview window, allowing users to zoom in images without losing picture clarity.
* Fully-Automated Color Correction -- PhotoPerfect allows users to scan software and color correct in a few simple steps.

"UMAX's Mirage IIse, is a user-friendly product that provides high-quality images at an affordable price," states Bobby Chao, senior vice president of marketing for UMAX. "Mirage IIse is designed for graphic users who need a large image scanning product that can sustain mass production.

Easy to Use Software -- MagicScan 3.1

Combined with MagicScan 3.1, UMAX's own software interface, Mirage IIse offers a broad range of color editing tools allowing more control and manipulation over the final imaging product. With MagicScan 3.1, users have the ability to adjust images according to contrast and brightness, unsharpmask and blur filters, custom descreen and gamma curve correction resulting in fine detailing and quality imaging outputs. Imaging enhancement tools, such as color balance and adjustment and tonal histograms, allow users to produce images mirroring the quality and crispness of the original graphic and is ideal for image retouching.

PhotoPerfect Advanced Version

The Mirage IIse also includes binuscan's PhotoPerfect Master, a software package providing automated color correction, and even grayscale/black and white processing and CMYK separation that elicits a higher level of control over the final product in addition to minimizing the time spent on processing.

Pricing and Availability

The Mirage IIse will be available for a suggested list price of $3695. The product ships bundled with MagicScan, and PhotoPerfect Advanced Version. The product is available for the Macintosh, PC and UNIX platforms.

Mirage IIse Technical Specifications
Type Color Flatbed
Method Single-pass, color
Element 8000 elements, Tri-linear color CCD
Light Source Cold Cathode Lamp
Hardware Resolution 700 dpi x 1400 dpi
Maximum Interpolated Resolution 9600 dpi x 9600 dpi
Maximum Scan Size 11.4" x 17"
Speed Color: 14.7 ms/line
I/O Buffer 3MB
Maximum Density 3.3D
Scan Modes 24/36-bit color|8/12-bit gray scale|1-bit line art
Scaling 1% to 1400%
Highlight/Shadow 256 steps
Contrast/Brightness +/-100%
Gamma Curve Downloadable Curves
Data Output Selectable 36-bit or 24-bit
Hardware Interface SCSI-2
Operating Temperature 50o Fto 104o F
Humidity 25% to 85%
Power Consumption 60 Watts
Voltage 100-240VAC
Frequency 50-60 Hz
Dimensions 28.7" x 20.8" x 7.8"
Net Weight 53 lbs.
System Support Mac OS 7.5 to 9.1|Windows 95/98/98SE/ NT/ME/2000

Labels: mirage, umax