Product Reviews

Scanners

Visioneer One Touch 9220 USB [Computer Buyer]
COMPANY: Visioneer	PRICE: �106 �125
RATING:	ISSUE: 153 DATE: Feb 04

Verdict: This scanner claims to be a cut above the rest, with one-touch functions and an impressive resolution and colour range, but can the facts match the figures.

These days you can pick up a good scanner for about eighty quid - and a few quid more gets you a combined printer/scanner/copier. So why would you spend �125 on the Visioneer 9220 USB? Well, if you want crisp scans with accurate colours, you need a scanner that's up to the job. The Visioneer claims to be all that, and more.
The Visoneer means business. It has an optical resolution of 2,400x4,800dpi, and can scan with a 'colour depth' of 48-bit. Colour depth is the amount of information, measured in bits, that's used to describe the shade of each dot or 'pixel'. 48-bit equates to a million million colours (that's 1 with 12 zeros) - far more than the eye can discern. The unit is built for specialist use, too, as it includes a transparency adapter.
The OneTouch in the name refers to five buttons on the front panel, which give easy access to common functions. These include 'scan to copy' (which sends images to a printer or PDF file) OCR (using bundled software that enables the PC to 'read'



ADVERTISEMENT

scanned letters and turn them into editable text), and sending your scan to e-mail. You can also access these functions using an on-screen toolbar.
The Visioneer is speedy, too: it can preview an A4 page in about three seconds, and scan it at 300dpi in less than 25. A high-speed USB 2 connection makes light work of transferring the data to your PC, so you won't be left hanging around.
The unit is solidly built, if a little plasticky, and light enough to be portable. The lid's hinges adjust to accommodate books, or you can remove the lid entirely. If you want to scan transparencies, the only option is for 35mm film or slides, but it's a simple process.
The scanning software is simple to use, with options to adjust common settings. The menu system is confusing at first, but there are some useful presets to guide you through - if you can find them. There's some good bundled software, too, including Scansoft's Paperport for managing documents, and Arcsoft's PhotoImpression 3 for everyday photo editing jobs such as polishing up your holiday snaps.
Sadly, the Visioneer fell at the first hurdle. The rich purple of our first test photo faded to a washed-out blue. More shots confirmed its poor handling of contrast, while skin tones and pastel colours appeared unnatural, and plagued by a mistiness. The same applied to transparency scans, too.
Considering its price, the Visioneer is a disappointment. Our Top 50 Best Buy, the Canon CanoScan 3200F, costs just �59. Its resolution may be lower, but it outdoes the Visioneer both in overall quality and speed.

By Ross Burridge

SPECIFICATIONS:
2,400x4,800 dpi resolution, 215x297mm scan area, 48-bit colour depth, USB 2 interface. Includes 35mm transparency and slide adapter, Scansoft Paperport, Arcsoft Photoimpression