By Graham K. Rogers

Every year the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA), whose members include editors and journalists from photography magazines around the world, judges products launched in a 12-month period for innovation, technology, design, ease-of-use and price-to-performance ratio.

This year, the Epson Expression Photo XP-950 was named Best Photo Printer, while the Best Photo Projector was named as the Epson EH-TW7200.

The citation for the XP-950 reads,

The Epson Expression Photo XP-950 takes the "all-in-one" concept (a multifunction printer that, in the XP-950, includes text and photo printing, scanning and copying) to a new level with 11x17 inch capability using Claria Photo HD six-colour inks. Delivering 4 x 6 inch photos in less than 10 seconds, the unit also allows for wireless printing from phone, tablet or computer plus mobile solutions using the Epson Connect collection of apps. Scans up to 4800 dpi are available, as well as direct CD/DVD printing and adedicated photo paper tray. A dedicated rear tray allows for printing on heavier card stock and a 3.5-inch LCD with "gesture" navigation helps the user make use of all functions and features quickly and easily.

The Epson projector was cited in the following terms:

While aimed at the home video viewer, the Epson EH-TW7200 also delivers stunning still image quality for the home, camera club, educational and small room photo teaching environments. The unit offers wide and tele lens shift options, which allows for versatile setups and projection distances, as well as 2000 lumen output in both colour and white light. Vivid colour and contrast is delivered via a 120,000:1 contrast ratio. Resolution is Full HD 1080p and there's a manual keystone correction control of up to +/- 30 degrees. Interfaces include USB 2.0, HDMI 1.4, Composite in, Component in and SVideo in. The unit is also capable of delivering 3D content and one set of RF 3D glasses come with the unit.

More information about the products is available on local Epson sites.

Graham K. Rogers teaches at the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University in Thailand where he is also Assistant Dean. He wrote in the Bangkok Post, Database supplement on IT subjects. For the last seven years of Database he wrote a column on Apple and Macs. He is now continuing that in the Bangkok Post supplement, Life.