Contex has launched a new wide format scanner - the HD Ultra.  According to Contex, the HD Ultra is the market’s most advanced wide format scanner, featuring unmatched productivity and versatility. Built with Contex’s next generation xDTR2, its exclusive extended data transfer rate with Gigabit Ethernet and USB2, the HD Ultra is twice the speed of its predecessor, and more productive than any other scanner on the market. The HD Ultra delivers 6-inch per second scanning speeds and an unprecedented 901 monochrome and 597 colour scans per hour. This is a significant boost for reprographic shops or offices with high-volume scanning projects whose productivity is measured by more than just scans per inch, but how quick the scanned images can be accessed.

The HD Ultra delivers unsurpassed image quality with all-new precision camera technology, intelligent calibration, and the innovative AccuColor enhancement algorithm. Energy-Star compliant, the HD Ultra is available in 36- and 42-inches and is the most field-upgradeable wide format scanner in its class. Users can now upgrade the scanning resolution, speed, width, colour or Gigabit Ethernet without changing the hardware.

“Our R&D and dedication to customers have made us a leader in the wide format scanning industry, and we are pleased to offer the most advanced scanner on the market with the HD Ultra,” comments Niels Appel, Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Contex A/S. “Every detail has been specifically designed with the goal of helping our customers win projects, boost productivity, and lower costs.”

“The HD Ultra delivers significant productivity gains, with faster overall scan speeds and fewer re-scans due to misfeeds. Our customers will appreciate the overall image quality, FlexFeed capability, and scalability of this new scanner,” comments Richard Gigl, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, National / Azon Equipment, a distributor of Contex scanners.

The HD Ultra will also be available as a multi-function product (MFP), which includes a space-saving high stand that allows users to combine the wide format scanner with most large format inkjet and LED printers.

Time-saving features that impact the bottom line

The HD Ultra comes with intuitive new features that make operation quick and easy, including one-touch control, fail-safe paper loading, and automatic size detection. Contex’s new FlexFeed technology provides the HD Ultra with innovative and intuitive media handling, allowing the scanner to insert any document, thanks to right-side loading and funnel-shaped feeding. This makes it easy to scan thick or thin documents, such as newspapers, regardless of condition. The scanner can also uncover important details in the creases and folds of worn originals.

SnapSize, Contex’s sophisticated optical sensor technology, lets users automatically switch between different size documents. SnapSize automatically recognises any standard-size document as it is fed into the scanner, and then optimises the scanner’s setup for that particular document. This feature saves time and ensures a clean, accurate scan.

SmartShare is another new feature that lets users connect to a LAN, so that any computer in the workgroup can access the scanner. This feature eliminates typical bottlenecks that happen when a scanner is restricted to a single computer.

Professional and Office Versions

The HD Ultra comes in two versions: Professional, for high-volume applications, and Office, for occasional use or walk-up scanning.

The HD Ultra Professional is designed for reprographic shops and businesses with in-house scanning projects. HD Ultra Professional out-scans the leading competition by 2 to 1, providing the fastest and most efficient way to scan, copy, file, and archive wide format images, drawings, fine art, postings, documents, and records. Regardless of the thickness or condition, documents are easy to scan, enabling businesses to maintain competitive pricing. The HD Ultra Professional’s scanning resolution is 1200x1200 dpi, and supports full RGB colour, with speeds up to 6-inches per second.

The HD Ultra Office offers ease of use for occasional or low-volume scanning, when image quality cannot be compromised. The HD Ultra Office is ideal for collaboration or workgroup sharing, making it easy for all employees to scan documents in various sizes and conditions, including complex photos and fine art. The HD Ultra Office eliminates the need to outsource large document scanning and features 600 dpi and 1-inch scanning per second in colour speed.