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Frequently Asked
Questions about
UltraLink
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Q. What product
configurations are there?
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A.
UltraLink is available in four
configurations:
- CT Record, which gives you the ability
to record image data from your desktop computer to the record drum
through the scanner's dot generator.
- Scan and CT Record, which gives you
full bi-directional CT capability.
- CT Record and RIP Record, which gives
you the ability to process PostScript files.
- All of the above, included in one
package.
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Q. What scanner models
are supported?
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A. UltraLink supports most
Dianippon Screen scanners. The list includes the following models:
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Q. What are the components
of your product?
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A. The
complete product, which supports RIP functions, scan and CT record,
consists of the following items:
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- Macintosh software
application (installed on Mac)
- PCI Fibre Channel Host
Adapter (installed in the Mac)
- Shielded Fibre Channel
Cable (up to 33 meters)
- Metal enclosure
containing several circuit boards
- Small circuit board that
picks off electrical signals inside scanner/recorder
- Pick-up cable and
several miscellaneous cables
- Harlequin Software RIP
(installed on Mac)
- Security Dongle
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Q. What is Fibre Channel?
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A.
Fibre Channel is a 1GB per second transfer technology for high speed I/O
networking. It is an open industry standard as defined by ANSI and OSI
standards. It operates over copper wire and fiber optic cabling. Fibre
Channel is ideal for the high speed transfer and storage of video,
graphics and images.
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Q. What are the advantages
of using Fibre Channel over SCSI interface connections?
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A.
There are four good reasons to choose Fibre Channel, including:
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- Speed: Current Fibre
Channel supports 100 MB per second transfer rate.
- Reliability: Fibre
Channel is designed to reject more common mode noise than SCSI.
Additionally, Fibre Channel has various levels of error detection with
various levels of retry in the unlikely event of an error, whereas
SCSI simply fails when an error occurs.
- Distance: Regular SCSI
is limited to 15 feet. Using conventional copper wire, Fibre Channel
can go 100 feet. Fiber optic media can be used for even greater
distances. SCSI requires either 50 or 68 conductor cables. Fibre
Channel requires only a 2 twisted pair shielded wire. UltraLink comes
standard with the copper implementation of Fibre Channel. If desired,
fiber optic cable can be adapted.
- Flexibility: SCSI is
primarily intended as an interface to desktop peripherals such as disk
drives. SCSI has a limited protocol command set defined, whereas Fibre
Channel is designed to carry various protocols such as TCP/IP, HPPI
and SCSI.
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Q. Can I record images to
film in the same operation of scanning and saving images to the Macintosh
computer?
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A.
Yes. You operate the scanner as you normally would in standalone mode. The
image being recorded to film is the same image being saved to disk,
allowing you to simultaneously make film proofs while scanning. If the
output size of the image is too large to fit all four colors around the
record drum, you can still capture all four colors on the first pass with
Macrotech's UltraLink.
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Q. Is there any limit to
the number or size of images that I can output to RIP record at one time?
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A. There
is no inherent limitation imposed by the UltraLink hardware. There is no
limitation in the number of images recorded across the drum, other than
the length of the drum itself. In practice, the real limitation around the
drum is determined by several factors, including the performance of your
hard disk, drum size and resolution. UltraLink software does allow you to
limit the number of images around the drum to 16.
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Q. What is involved with
installation?
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A.
Installation can be completed in a few hours. It will be performed by a
factory authorized service technician. Additionally, on-site training is
available from the field person at the time of installation.
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Q. How are updates and
revisions performed?
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A. Software
updates will be posted on this web site. Licensed users are welcome to
download the latest version of UltraLink Software. Another valuable
feature of the UltraLink hardware is the ability to automatically perform
most hardware updates with software updates. In the unlikely event that a
hardware revision is required, new software versions come with the latest
programmable hardware changes. It is completely automatic and does not
require any user intervention. Other competing solutions require the board
or system to be returned to the factory for even minor hardware updates.
UltraLink's inherent ability to update hardware via software updates
avoids downtime and the need to ship components back to the factory.
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Q. What happens if I have
trouble with the product, and how is it diagnosed?
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A.
UltraLink comes with an LCD display that reports diagnostic results and
status in easy-to-read messages. These messages can be used to analyze the
problem. Ultimately, if UltraLink is suspected of malfunctioning, it can
easily be disconnected from the scanner by a non-technician to permit
repair or analysis of the of condition of the scanner.
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Q. What is your product
warranty?
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A. All
Macrotech products come with a Limited One Year Warranty that covers parts
and labor. The full legalized version is supplied with manuals and are
available upon request. Additionally, Macrotech offers a 30-day money back
refund policy if you are not satisfied with the product.
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© 2000 Macrotech International Corp. All Rights Reserved
info@macrotechcorp.com
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