Re: Are scanners slow?

["Jeff Hanvey" <jewahe -at- lycos -dot- co -dot- uk>]

I've noticed that scanning is somewhat of a slow process, but I've never
experienced that amount of slowness - there could be a problem with the
driver, so go to the manufacturer's website and make sure you're using the
latest one available. If that doesn't work, try switching the scanner to a
different USB port (if you're using a USB scanner). If you're using other
devices, or link several through a hub, try redistributing items so that the
scanner is on it's own port.

My general understanding is that scanning speed is based on several factors,
including:

-USB1/USB2/Parallel Port: the newer USB2 spec is much faster, and allows
much faster transfer of data over the pipe. I think USB2 is backward
compatible (will run USB1 devices). The transfer speed can also be affected
by other USB devices, too. If the device is running over the parallel port,
you can expect it to be significantly slower yet.
-Computer speed: Of course, this is more than just CPU power, but can be
affected by the amount of memory you have in the machine, the bus speed,
caching, and a whole host of other things (for example, is you video card
built into the motherboard? If so, there is probably system memory reserved
for video processing, and that can decrease your system memory and slow the
machine).

I couldn't find anything specific on scanning times, but PCWorld has a good
article on choosing a scanner, with a review of several scanners.

http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/pguide/0,pgid,36,00.asp

My advice: do some more research, and then go get the best model you can
afford.

Jeff Hanvey
Augusta, GA
jewahe -at- lycos -dot- co -dot- uk
http://www.jewahe.net

----- Original Message -----
From: "Steven Oppenheimer" <writer -at- writemaster -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Sent: Thursday, May 22, 2003 9:59 AM
Subject: Are scanners slow?


>
> I just went out and purchased my first scanner. Rather than do a lot of
> research, I did the lazy (and cheap) route of going to Best Buy and
picking
> up a bargain brand (the Microtek 4850) for $100
>
> I am surprised at how slow it seems to scan. To do a color scan (8 1/2 by
> 11 color magazine page) at 600 dpi takes over three minutes. A color scan
> at 300 dpi takes nearly two minutes. A gray scale scan at 600 dpi takes
> about a minute and a half. Gray scale at 300 dpi takes 40 seconds
>
> A color scan at 1200 dpi takes at least five minutes, if not longer. 2400
> dpi takes forever. Of course, I'm not sure I really need to scan anything
> at 1200 dpi -- I'm scanning old ad copy to put in .pdf files to send to
> clients, and at 1200 dpi the files are already humongous. But it would be
> nice if 600 dpi scanning (or even 300 dpi scanning) was two or three times
> faster
>
> Maybe I'm spoiled by photocopiers and laser printers, but this seems like
a
> heck of a long time. Before I return it to the store, though, and purchase
> another brand, let me ask the voices of experience: Do other brands (HP,
> Canon, etc.) do significantly better? Do I get dramatically better scan
> speed if I spend another $50 to $100? (The more expensive scanners seemed
> mainly to offer features like slide scanners that I don't need.) Or is
this
> just the norm, that scanners are not fast like copiers or laser printers?


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