Why Buy a Digital Copier?

What exactly is digital technology?

Simply put, digital technology converts data into discrete-or separate-units of information. Computers, electronic printers and fax machines all use digital technology to process information.

Machines that use digital technology contain thousands and thousands of tiny electronic circuits, or switches. Because these switches can only be in one of two distinct positions-"ON" or "OFF" (or "1" and "0")-this is known as a binary code. Binary code is the simplest way to represent data electronically.

Despite its simplicity, complex information such as numbers, letters of the alphabet or graphics, can be stored using binary code.

What does a digital copier do differently from a conventional one?

All copiers use reflected light to make images. In an analog copier, the light is projected onto the original and reflected through a path of mirrors into a lens. It is then projected onto a drum that in turn transfers the image onto the copy paper. This process is repeated every time a copy is made.

A digital copier, however, converts the reflected light waves into individual, discrete units of information. A charged-coupler device (CCD) "looks" at the black and white image and designates every black dot (presence of an image) as "1", and every white dot (absence of an image) as "0". These dots are called pixels-the smallest units of a graphic image. In this way, any scanned image can be converted into a digital signal and stored into memory.

Once converted, the digital signal is manipulated by the image processing unit and sent to a laser beam that converts it into an image on a drum. The drum then transfers this image onto the copy paper, much like the drum in an analog copier does.

What are the advantages of digital technology?

• Superior image quality: Because digital copiers convert images into dots (or pixels), they provide much higher print resolution, and can capture more gradations between colours or shades of grey. A higher print resolution ensures razor-sharp image quality, while better gradations provide faithful reproduction of halftones for richer, more accurate images. Generally speaking, analog copiers do not respond to colours as well as digital copiers.
• An easier way to copy:Digital technology makes copying more user-friendly by simplifying every operation. Thanks to step-by-step instructions with helpful icons on the LCD Touch Screen Panel, even the most complex tasks become remarkably easy.
• Low noise/energy consumption:Because a digital copier only has to scan the original once, mechanical movements are reduced. This means quieter copier operation and less power usage, creating a more pleasant, energy-efficient office environment. And with electronic sorting, the need for a noisy mechanical sorter bin is eliminated.

• Memory:Toshiba's digital copiers hold digital images in their memory. These saved images can be used to produce multiple copies.
• Electronic sorting:Every Toshiba digital copier has a Reversing Automatic Document Feeder (RADF) which functions as an Electronic Recirculating Document Handler (RDH). The RDH sorts documents without using mechanical sorting bins. And since one set is output at a time, you can retrieve finished sets before completion of the copy job. There is virtually no limit to how many sets of copies can be produced. Sets can be sorted by Toshiba's Alternation function, which switches between crosswise and lengthwise outputs of sets, or by an optional Finisher that alternately shifts sets to the left and the right. The Finisher can also staple each set.
• Automatic rotation:If the directions of your scanned original and selected paper tray don't match, the Toshiba digital copier will automatically rotate the image. And if you run out of letter-size paper in your selected tray, the digital copier will switch to the remaining letter tray and rotate the image accordingly. By maintaining continuous operation during paper shortages, this feature increases productivity in large volume jobs.
• Magazine sort:Dual page, front to back copies can be made for assembly into a magazine format. The order of pages can be electronically manipulated, easily and efficiently.
• 2-in-1, 4-in-1, 8-in-1:To reduce paper usage, two, four or eight images can be scanned from separate pages and copied onto one sheet.
• Image manipulation:Digital imaging increases zoom abilities, and allows images to be manipulated in various ways. Features include X-Y Zoom, which allows the magnifying ratio to be set independently in both vertical and horizontal directions; and Negative/Positive Reversal, which allows black-on-white or white-on-black imaging for negative/positive images. These options can be useful for design-related work or presentations.

Most competitive digital copiers on the market today are also "multifunctional." This means that they also have fax, printer or scanner functions, and they can be PC-connectable.

Some of the benefits of a multifunctional device include:

• Fewer devices to manage
• A network printer with the finishing capabilities of a copier
• A network printer with multiple paper sources
• A copier with the image quality of a laser printer
• Common supplies for all functions - copy, print and fax
• One service provider for all functions - copy, print and fax
• End-users only need to learn how to use one device
• Client administration software can provide remote device and job status