Epson 4990 - Which Version of Silverfast will Be Included?

[Helpful Corn]

Hello Team LSI,

Photo-i has announced that the Epson Perfection 4990 will be released in the UK in January. Link:

http://www.photo-i.co.uk/News/Dec04/Epson_4990.htm

According to the press release, Silverfast SE will be bundled with this scanner. I would like to know which version of Silverfast you plan to include with the 4990 PRO scanner: Silverfast AI or Silverfast AI Studio?

Thanks in advance.

[LSI_Noack]

Dear Helpful Corn

thank you for your interest in LaserSoft Imaging's software products.
Information cannot be given before January 2005.

Until then, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Sonny Noack
- tech support, LSI AG -

[Helpful Corn]

Haha! No problem. I was trying to trick you into letting the cat out of the bag before then, but you didn't fall for it.

Happy Holidays to you also.

[Helpful Corn]

It is January now! Any news to report?

[Helpful Corn]

Well, friends, here's the latest scoop according to tmcnet.com:

"Software Bundle with the Perfection 4990 PHOTO

The Perfection 4990 PHOTO scanner includes an advanced software bundle with Automatic, Home and Professional modes for all user skill levels. The software bundle includes:

-- LaserSoft Imaging(R) SilverFast(R) SE 6

-- Adobe(R) Photoshop(R) Elements 2.0

-- ABBYY FineReader Sprint OCR

-- EPSON Scan with Easy Photo Fix

Software Bundle with the Perfection 4990 PRO

The Perfection 4990 PRO includes a robust software package that makes this scanner the complete digital imaging solution. Included with this model are the following titles:

-- LaserSoft Imaging SilverFast Ai 6

-- MonacoEZcolor 2.5

-- ArcSoft PhotoStudio, ArcSoft PhotoBase and ArcSoft Panorama Maker

-- Adobe(R) Photoshop(R) Elements 2.0

-- ABBYY FineReader Sprint OCR

-- EPSON Scan with Easy Photo Fix

Availability and Support

The Perfection 4990 PHOTO and 4990 PRO will be available in early March for estimated street prices of $449 and $599, respectively."

I must say that I'm extremely disappointed to hear that the 4990 PRO will only be bundled with Silverfast AI and not Silverfast AI Studio as I'd hoped.

[europanorama]

how much does an upgrade to ai6 cost and how can this be done?can it be purchased with the scanner? e.g. in switzerland? one want 320 chf! upgrade-so expensive. i live near german border but do not want to buy that scanner in germany.

the pro-version has been announced for 600usd -with scanner somewhere.

btw: i will buy julios 5x7(13x18cm) wet-scan-kit, maybe also 35mm version and scan my very long panorama-stripes sidewise.

[europanorama]

i see we must buy the scanner with standard version se6 and then go to lasersoft and get ai6-pro-version.

what about monaco ezcolor? what is this good for?

[Helpful Corn]

There's a good review on Monaco EZColor at Ian Lyon's site here:

http://www.computer-darkroom.com/ezcolor/ezcolor.htm

It's software that helps you to make custom ICC profiles for your monitor, printer, and scanner. I think the latest version is 2.6.