KODAK INTRODUCES AUTOMATED PHOTO CD IMAGING WORKSTATION, CRT PRINTER

LONDON, ENGLAND, Nov. 11--Eastman Kodak Company today introduced an
automated Photo CD Imaging Workstation (PIW) designed to increase
productivity for high-volume photofinishers who process consumer film
orders. 

When it is brought to market early next year, the Kodak PCD Imaging
Workstation 6600 will let photofinishers scan up to 50 rolls of 35 mm film
at a time onto individual Photo CD discs, without the need for operator
intervention. The PIW 6600 will employ a reel-to-reel scanning system, an
automated disc loading device and the Kodak PCD Writer 600--a high-speed
writer that is three times faster than Kodak's current CD writer. Along
with the new PIW 6600, Kodak plans to offer the Kodak CRT Digital Color
Printer, a high-speed printer that outputs digital image files onto
photographic paper for conventional processing. 

Photofinishers who purchase the PIW 6600 will be able to use the printer to
output "index prints," that contain thumbnail versions of the images on a
Photo CD disc, more quickly and at lower cost than they can with current
thermal printers.

"We designed the PIW 6600 to fit the workflow environments of the
highvolume photofinishing operations that process over 70 percent of
consumer film orders," said Michael P. Morley, vice president and regional
business general manager, Consumer Imaging, United States and Canada. "The
new PIW promises to boost productivity and reduce labor costs for
photofinishers." 

Photofinishing Workflow

Today, high-volume photofinishers typically splice 50 undeveloped rolls of
35 mm film into a single reel, processing them in a continuous operation.
Orders for reprints also are spliced together on reels, using the
Universal Reprint System (URS).

After the film is processed and prints are made, the photofinisher cuts the
film in strips, then collates the orders and prepares billing information.
This system lets wholesale labs process thousands of orders daily, with
only a few skilled technicians overseeing the highly automated processing
equipment.

The PIW 6600 will offer the same capability for the production of Photo CD
discs. Photofinishers will transfer multiple rolls of film onto Photo CD
discs in a continuous, reel-to-reel scanning operation. The scanner will
accept the same reels used to process undeveloped film, as well as reprint
orders from a URS device.

The scanned images will be written to Kodak Photo CD Master discs using the
PCD Writer 600. The Kodak PCD Disc Transporter accessory, which holds up
to 75 discs at a time, will automatically insert and remove the discs from
the writer to an output spindle.

KODAK CRT Digital Color Printer

Along with the PIW 6600, Kodak plans to offer a high-speed cathode ray tube
(CRT) printer that exposes Photo CD index prints or other digital image
files onto photographic paper. The prints can be processed off-line with
the same equipment used to process prints made from negatives.

Producing up to 350 prints per hour, the Kodak CRT Digital Color Printer is
more productive than thermal printers on current PIWs, with lower media
costs. Maximum print size will be 5 x 7 inches.

In addition to outputting index prints, Morley said, the CRT Digital Color
Printer will be offered as a standalone product for applications ranging
from school photography to prints from slides. 

Price, Availability

Morley added "Customer trials for both the PIW 6600 and CRT Digital Color
Printer will begin later this year, with both products scheduled for
availability in early 1994. We expect to announce pricing and exact
availability dates at the Photo Marketing Association show beginning
February 17, 1994."

For more information, U.S. customers may call 1-800-242-2424, ext. 36.

Eastman Kodak Company, 343 State St, Rochester, NY 14650

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