HP ScanJet 5400c, a Practical scanner with professional results.
Written: Jun 29 '02 (Updated Jun 29 '02)
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Pros: Fast, professional results and versatile.
Cons: Could use a USB 2.0 or IEEE 1394 interface instead of parallel, heavy rear.
The Bottom Line: This scanner is really one professional peripheral, without the professional price.
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| lavoisier's Full Review: Hewlett Packard ScanJet 5400Cse Flatbed Scanner |
When I was shopping for a scanner for the home office, as well for digitizing my photos, I needed something that is sufficiently professional enough to tackle my needs for scanning my photos as well as my statements that I have to have need to have someone read over with. So, I started my research with the scanners online, but I didn't want to spend less than $120 on a scanner, because I find that those scanners tend to have poorer quality in image reproduction and that they may not have sufficient warranty and support (or even free support). But when I came across the HP ScanJet 5400 series, I knew that it had the compatibility and affordability. What I mean by that is the number of accessories that can be used for the scanner. One day, I may need the automatic document feeder and/or the transparency adapter for slides or negatives. Having the lack of knowledge about the Canon or Epson scanners, I chose HP instead.
About the Scanner
The scanner's gray body allows me to really blend very well with my new Pentium 4 computer, which is white with some gray trimmings and it really blends very well with my wall too, so that I don't experience the camouflage with those white bodied scanners that are out there. More than just a rather good looking scanner, despite the plain design of the scanner, it also capable as a multipurpose scanner too.
With the 48-bit color production and up to a 2400 dpi image scanning through optical and hardware resolution, it allows me to have a much more detailed image reproduction on the screen if I had to edit my photo. With this scanning resolution, it allows me to even professionally view a professional document and to carefully reproduce the photograph that I've scanned. So this means that my scans will not turn out to be less than perfect or ideal.
But to make life a whole lot easier, the ScanJet featured a nicely laid out control panel to allow me what I would like to do with my scanned image. With this control panel, I can use the Copy button for reproducing the image for photocopies or making just quick copies. Other than just copying, I can even control how many copies I want to produce or if I want color or not. This is very convenient, because there are times that I don't really need color and dealing with overriding the software default setups can be very time consuming. With this feature, it eliminates that step and I can make up to 99 copies in one setting.
The Photo Reprint key allows me to reproduce images to photo quality when it comes to printing the images. Here, the photo editing software opens on my computer. With this feature, if I wanted to crop, change the colors or even add a little excitement to the photo, it's ideal that this allows me to do so.
With the Scan to website button, I can take my photos or pictures for posting them in my website if I have any. Here, I don't really have to hassle too much about the making too many unnecessary steps, in order to post a picture into a website, with the HP Share-to-Web software.
Plus, if I wanted to e-mail a photo or even a contract to my close ones, I can use the E-mail button to do it for me. Here, I just use the e-mail service provider, say Hotmail and the software treats the scanned image it as an attachment. Then I just address the e-mail to the recipient and then I just send it. It's just as easy as 1-2-3.
If that's not even enough, there's the usual Scan To button, that allows me to scan the image to the HP Precision Scan Pro 3.1. Here, I can crop the image, create it as a landscape, add hues or shades or even make it more interesting. The possibilities are just endless for the home user or even for those seasoned photographers. With this software title, I can even convert text into electronic text, which I can edit easily, and this is all done by the Optical Character Recognition (OCR).
But the scanner bundle isn't limited to just the integrated OCR, it also includes the Copy Utility that allows reproductions of images that can be done quickly and easily, without really even thinking about it at all. Plus, the Corel PrintOffice 2000 allows me to really edit and reproduce photos in just a matter of minutes. Their Photo Printing software also allows me to automatically improve my photo reproductions too, without using the software too much. But to really make it a great deal, HP also included ACD software titles, Trellix website builder and access to eFax.com. The eFax access allows me to even use my computer for PC fax too, so that I can still reserve my workstation space for more important things.
Installing the scanner software and hardware is painless and HP really walks you through the procedure with their setup poster. Just connect the interface cable between the scanner and the computer and install the software that is provided by the CD ROM, depending on what operating system that you use for your computer (Windows or Mac). By the time you're done, you're basically ready to scan.
With a preview scan that can be produced in as little as 8 seconds, you can easily go from scan to scan in no time at all, and it's ideal for meeting final deadlines.
With the dual interface feature, USB and parallel ports are featured for the scanner. But for the best performance, the USB port is recommended, however for the Windows 95/NT 4.0 they not support USB peripherals. But that's a very little of a concern now, since most are using at least Windows 2000 or XP (Windows ME being very unstable) as the computer users' operating system. But I wished that the scanner would provide a USB 2.0 or Firewire support as well, since it will have a much better speed and capability to scan complex images.
At $199, this scanner is really competitively priced for those demanding home users and even for the seasoned professionals. Backed by a one year warranty, I can ensure that HP has placed confidence for the products that they offer.
With the many images that I've scanned over the last 3 months with this scanner, I have never been disappointed with this scanner in what it could really deliver. Even my scanned images have been scanned better than expected, but I'm not really sure if it's the effect of what my 19" FD Trinitron G410 monitor, scanner or even the video card. But for now, I would say it's basically all of them.
Options
The Transparency adapter allows me to use photo negatives and slides without the hassle of buying a separate specialty scanner that could very well cost me hundreds of dollars more.
With the Automatic Document Feeder (ADF), it allows me to copy or scan several pages, without flipping the lid and removing the originals from time to time. Plus, it even gives me the privileges to scan legal sized documents too.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I find that this scanner is really one of the finest in the mid-level entry. As a result of a better image reproduction quality compared to the ScanJet 4400 series, it really is a worthwhile contender to consider when considering a mid-priced scanner. But I do find that the back of the scanner kind of heavy too.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 199
Interface: USB
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Epinions.com ID:
lavoisier
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Member: Hugh Jazz
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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