How to find printers that can print CD's and DVD's ??

[TivoOwner]

I'm considering purchasing a Lightscribe burner, but would like to know what options are available for printing to CD's and DVD's. I haven't had much luck defining a search for printers with this attribute. Any ideas? Thx.

 

[pkme2]

Lightscribe burner

This info should help.

 

[Peter]

If you are not in the US, then Canon's midrange inkjets come with a CD tray. In the US, they don't. Complaints to your patent office.

 

[Jolt2]

In the US, Epson holds the patent for inkjet printers that will print to CD's and DVD's.

 

[Lemon law]

Bottom line---------at least in the USA

1. Epson printers are usually factory enabled tp print to CD&DCD's. Downside is that most Epsons have a tendency to clog if not used regularly. And often clog even if used regularly.

2. Many USA canons have most of the internal guts to print to CD--but a few parts are left off to avoid patent infringement. Many of these Canons can be easily do it your self modified to enable CD printing---see threads on Steves digicams or the nifty stuff forums for step by step instructions. And very few clogging problems develop with Canon printers.

 

[Cobolman]

Epson R200 does a nice job, and is cheap. Gobble the ink, though.

 

[Zepper]

Casio and Primera make others.

.bh.

 

[Venomous]

Ill never own another Epson EVER! Biggest POS printers on the planent. They will bankrupt you in ink, than waste it when it clogs.

I've got two canons I converted to cd/dvd printable. Its simple. The only hardware you need is the cd tray, which you can find on ebay. You than change the region setting, remove the plastic plate that blocks the cd tray opening and your done. I got both IP4000 and 5000 models converted. I also get my ink from Swiftink.com and I'm very pleased with the results. Save yourself the headache and get a Canon. You will thank me later.

 

[bruceb]

The Canon IP3000 is already set up for CD / DVD Printing ... they can still be had (altough discontinued)
for about $90 or so

Venomous ... How about a link to the mods for the IP4000 / IP5000 ?
Also do they need special software to work with CD / DVD & where to get it ? ?

Are the Ink Tanks on those Models Chipped or can we just refill or use any
makers compatible cartidges ? ?

 

[Zepper]

I haven't seen any of the iP3000/4000/5000 available anywhere except used on ebay for several months at anywhere near original list price. I have seen the 6000D being sold at a decent price, but that really isn't a general-purpose printer - very photo-centric. If you do a pricegrabber or pricewatch search and even find those models listed and follow the link, they are either out-of-stock or marked up significantly. But you could possibly still buy a new one on ebay at full original MSRP or even at a slight markup and still come out way ahead in TCO because of the cheap clone ink prices. I really hope my 3k holds up.

I just did a price-grabber search on the iP4000: $216 - $300 +sh!!! Still it would pay for itself after 5 to 10 complete tank rotations. One of the best G-P printers ever made, IMO.

iP3000 used/refurb $125 -150 shipped... I remember I got mine for around $70. AR. Found one place offering for $109. w/ free ground shipping for refurbs. Haven't checked 'em out on Reseller Ratings yet.

iP5000 - totally unobtainium - it's just that good!

iP2000 ~$200 shipped

iP1500 - unobtainium
.bh.

 

[bruceb]

See link ... supposedly 'in stock" .. free ship .... $109 Model #IP3000

http://pcwonderinc.com/cafasepiipin.html

I am not looking to buy one just yet ... but maybe by end of summer or so ...
I wouild get only to use for printing on CD / DVD Media ... maybe also photos
I have a Lexmark X73 which does Copy, Scan, Fax, Print in both B/W & Color
Now granted it is not the very best there is, but for normal letter typing or
scanning documents, it does fine

 

[SilentRunning]

Originally posted by: bruceb
See link ... supposedly 'in stock" .. free ship .... $109 Model #IP3000

http://pcwonderinc.com/cafasepiipin.html

I am not looking to buy one just yet ... but maybe by end of summer or so ...
I wouild get only to use for printing on CD / DVD Media ... maybe also photos
I have a Lexmark X73 which does Copy, Scan, Fax, Print in both B/W & Color
Now granted it is not the very best there is, but for normal letter typing or
scanning documents, it does fine

That one is a refurb. They sold new for $99 dollars.

 

[Zepper]

By end of summer there may not be any of the good iP3k/4k/5k to be had at all except for used. Other used/refurb on the 3k qre from $125-150 shipped now. So if you want one, you better grab one. Unless you can tell me that $20. or less per full set of ink tanks isn't better than $44.-50. per set...

All American models of these will need to be modded to print on CD/DVDs. There is also a special media thickness setting in the latest american version of the drivers for this so you won't have to use the Euro drivers unless you want to.

I see there is a 3k factory refurb w/90-day warranty on ebay ending in a bit over an hour (it's 18:20 EDT right now) and the bid is at $25. + $25. shipping. Seller is in NY and charges SlsTx.

.bh.

 

[d4a2n0k]

Originally posted by: bruceb
The Canon IP3000 is already set up for CD / DVD Printing ... they can still be had (altough discontinued)
for about $90 or so

Venomous ... How about a link to the mods for the IP4000 / IP5000 ?
Also do they need special software to work with CD / DVD & where to get it ? ?

Are the Ink Tanks on those Models Chipped or can we just refill or use any
makers compatible cartidges ? ?

http://pixma.allhyper.com/

Just click on whichever model you want to mod and it gives instructions. There is also an Ebay link for kits that are original Euro parts that you can use to mod your Ipxxxx

 

[bruceb]

d4 ... thanks for that link ... it looks like a well laid out site & set of instructions ... will bookmark it &
probably print it out later (in case the link goes down or moves)

Thanks

 

[Zepper]

The first Pixma series that started hitting the market in the summer of 2004 (1500, 2k, 3k, 4k, 5k, 6kD, 8500) all use passive ink tanks. The second pixma series that includes the 4200, 5200 etc. that came out in summer of 2005 use either tanks with an active element that haven't been cloned yet - some of the low end models even use integrated-head cartridges like HP and Lexmark for an extremely high TCO.

I have heard that compatible ink for the new series has been formulated for those who wish to do their own refilling until/if the clone tanks arrive .

.bh.

 

[d4a2n0k]

Originally posted by: bruceb
d4 ... thanks for that link ... it looks like a well laid out site & set of instructions ... will bookmark it &
probably print it out later (in case the link goes down or moves)

Thanks

Yes it is a nice site. Cant beat pictures to make sure you dont mess it up.

Rather than make a makeshift cardboard tray, I think Im gonna bite the bullet and cough up the 15 bucks for my IP4000 and order the parts before they are gone for good. I dont like Ebay but one guy has a 100% positive feedback so I think its time to actually buy something off Ebay.