SunPics, Sun Microsystems Inc’s printing and imaging arm, last week extended the capabilities of NewsPrint 2.0 with the introduction of NewsPrint XP, an OEM product co-developed with Linotype-Hell AG that will enable network users to output to imagesetters, high-resolution laser printers, large-format plotters and other high raster memory devices. NewsPrint XP’s first licensees are scanner-recorder house ECRM Inc and SRS Imaging Inc, the latter for its new 900dpi laser. Like NewsPrint 2.0, XP speeds output by enabling the page imaging process to be handled in the Sparc processor, where it’s more sensible to spend money on memory, rather than in the output device. The new XP technology enables a single-page raster image to be split into small bands, reducing the system’s memory requirements and producing a PostScript-compatible system. Through a feature called OpenScreening, SunPics’ shared half-tone library interface, developers can incorporate their own proprietary screening process or take advantage of the patented screening SunPics offers to get PostScript Level 2-compatibility for monochrome devices. Level 2 compatibility, the leading-edge standard, won’t be completely available until autumn, SunPics said. As a licensable technology, XP becomes available in May. SunPics declined to discuss its terms and conditions since they will vary from case to case.
