Sony Brings Fast, High-Quality Images To Dental Market With Compact New Color Printer

May 7, 2002
Space-Saving Color Dye-Sublimation Printer Produces 400dpi Resolution A6-Sized Images In Less Than 25 Seconds.

PARK RIDGE, N.J., May 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Electronics today announced a new A6-sized dye-sublimation printer that produces virtually flawless high-resolution images in less than 25 seconds. Sony designed the UP-20 color printer to fit into compact dental office environments or for integration into cart systems for dentists and oral surgeons who require printed images.

With its small size (8 3/8"W x 5"H x 15 5/8D), light weight (about 14 lbs. 5 oz) and foot-switch capabilities, the printer can fit seamlessly into almost any dental office or lab environment. Faster than competitive printers in its category, the UP-20 color printer can produce an image in approximately 16 seconds when using the smaller sized UPC-21S print media and about 25 seconds when using the larger sized UPC-21L print media.

"With space in any dental environment always a concern, dentists and dental cart manufacturers are constantly on the look-out for small, high-quality printing peripherals to integrate into their office or cart systems," said Steven Blum, vice president of the medical systems division for Sony Electronics' Business Solutions and Systems Company. "Our new printer
provides dental professionals with a quick, compact, and light-weight printer that produces high-resolution images at an attractive price-point." The UP-20 A6 color printer is now available for the suggested list price of $1,695.

"As many former dental printers have become inoperative or their corresponding film supplies can no longer be found, our company searched for a good replacement for the dental market," said Claude D. Berthoin, president and CEO of Video Dental Concepts Inc, an Ormond Beach, Fla.-based intra oral
video scope manufacturer. "We decided to standardize on Sony's new printer because we like the printer's IR remote functionality. This feature networks the printer and a foot switch, enabling the dentist to freeze images while working. The UP-20 printing speed provides our customers with a real convenience in the operatory where there is no time to waste waiting for
prints."

Using dye sublimation technology, the unit produces photo-realistic images at approximately 400dpi and more than 16 million color tones. Sony's Picture Quality Control technology provides accurate image reproduction. Equipped with a color adjustment function, users can select the color that most closely
matches their requirements.

With its four-frame memory function, the printer can remember up to four images at the same time. While printing an image from memory, the printer can simultaneously store three additional images in its remaining memory buffer, allowing dentists to quickly produce multiple images.

The UP-20 printer accepts and outputs an analog, S-Video (Y/C) or composite video signal. It also has an RS-232C port, allowing the printer to be integrated with external equipment like a computer.

For greater flexibility, Sony offers both the UPC-21L large size
(5 in. x 3.6 in.) color media and the UPC-21S small size (3.8 in. x 2.9 in.) color media. The printer comes standard with an L-size tray, which can also accommodate S-size media. As an option, users can add a foot switch or remote control.