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Fri, 25/09/2009 - 10:40
Epson Stylus Office TX610FW - Function availability over wireless network - Incorrect information in review of product
Epson Stylus Office TX610FW - Function availability over wireless network - Incorrect information in review of product
I recently purchased an Epson TX610FW.
This product was reviewed on PC World by James Hutchinson:
Date: 21/09/2009
Review Link: http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/review/printers_scanners/epson/stylus_offi...
This review contains some incorrect information about this product, particularly with respect to availability of scan/memory card share functions over ethernet/wireless network.
The comments below assume that "Wi-Fi" in the review means an IEEE 802.11-wireless LAN (WLAN) connection. Also note that the comments are relevant only to the printer being connected wirelessly to a LAN using Infrastructure Mode and NOT Ad-Hoc.
In his article, James states:
"Unfortunately, the Stylus Office TX610FW doesn't store Wi-Fi login information, so you'll have to step through the setup process each time."
NOT True. I have my TX610FW connected wirelessly to my LAN via my Netgear WNR3500, and it (the printer) remembers the network connection details including the SSID & WPA key just fine when it's powered off and then on again.
He also states:
"Epson's Stylus Office TX610FW inkjet multifunction is clearly designed for use over a USB connection. For instance, you can share and write to memory cards over the Ethernet and USB connections, but not using Wi-Fi. You can also scan to a PC or e-mail, but only using the USB connected device; a severe limitation for both individual users and networked computers."
Also UNTRUE. My laptop is connected wirelessly to the LAN mentioned above (to which the TX610FW is also wirelessly connected), and I can read/write the contents of my SD memory card slotted into the printer's card reader from Windows Explorer on my laptop just fine.
I can also (from the printer control panel) initiate scan to PC/scan to PDF/scan to email, and send (the data) to my laptop (as configured in the Epson Event Manager) without issue.
Similarly, I can use scan functions over the wireless connection from applications on my laptop with a Twain import, including Photoshop/Illustrator/Acrobat etc.
Some notes on Setup & connection:
I DID NOT during setup ever connect to the TX610FW using the USB cable (nor since).
I DID initially connect the printer to the router using the ethernet cable.
I utilise MAC filtering on my LAN, and I had to manually enter the MAC address of the TX610FW as an allowed device and then restart the printer to get it to connect wirelessly to the router - i.e. even with the correct wireless network details configured on the printer including SSID & WPA key, the router DID NOT see the printer as a wireless device initially.
There were also MAJOR issues with Windows Firewall initially (my laptop is running XP/SP2 with Security Center). You need to make exceptions for all the various Epson executables including:
Easy Photo Print (2)
eEBSvc.exe
EPSON Scan
EPSON Scan Settings
EEventManager Application
EEventManager.exe
EpsonNET Setup
escndv.exe
Event Manager
Printing Preferences
*some of the above (e.g. eEBSvc.exe) DO NOT show up as programs, you need to browse and add the executables manually, and in some cases there are multiple copies of the executables located in various directories.
Locations include:
C:\Program Files\EPSON
C:\Program Files\Epson Software
C:\Program Files\Common Files\EPSON
C:\WINDOWS\twain_32\escndv\
YOU MUST ALSO ADD EXCEPTIONS FOR EVERY APPLICATION you wish to use to import scan data over TWAIN, e.g. :
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Acrobat
Adobe ImageReady
Adobe Illustrator
The in-the-box paper documentation supplied with this product is not the best... and Epson online DOES NOT offer a PDF manual download for the TX610FW, however the Epson driver/software CD installs documentation with scan/network troubleshooting information to:
C:\Program Files\EPSON\TPMANUAL\ES_OBX_OTX_SX610FW\ENG\USE_G\index.htm
Hope that this helps some other users out there!
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Thanks for bringing up the
Thanks for bringing up the points in the reviewing, though I think they need some clarification.
In relation to the multifunction not storing the Wi-Fi information, I was referring to the TX610FW ditching the login information when switching between Ethernet and Wi-Fi. If you switch from Wi-Fi to Ethernet and then back again, you will have to choose the SSID and put the password in again. I will rectify the review to reflect this.
In regards to scanning and sharing memory card contents, this is something I had particular difficulty setting up on any measure using the TX610FW. I eventually managed to get the memory card shared over the Ethernet interface, but was unable to get the TX610FW recognised as a wireless device over the Wi-Fi network. Scanning over a network is something that neither I or many other users have successfully setting up using any number of Epson multifunctions. This was true in my experience with the TX610FW. However, I will have another look at the unit and attempt to rectify these problems. I will also ensure that the review is rectified to reflect any changes.
Thanks
Additional Comment on reply by James Hutchinson
Re: "In relation to the multifunction not storing the Wi-Fi information, I was referring to the TX610FW ditching the login information when switching between Ethernet and Wi-Fi. If you switch from Wi-Fi to Ethernet and then back again, you will have to choose the SSID and put the password in again. I will rectify the review to reflect this."
I DID NOT attempt this scenario (changing from ethernet to wireless and then back or vice versa) during setup/configuration of the device, as my intention was merely to get the TX610FW connected wirelessly to my LAN and available to other clients on the network, so I accept that you may be wholly correct in this. Assuming you are, it's frankly a bit of an oversight on the part of Epson.
Re: "In regards to scanning and sharing memory card contents, this is something I had particular difficulty setting up on any measure using the TX610FW. I eventually managed to get the memory card shared over the Ethernet interface, but was unable to get the TX610FW recognised as a wireless device over the Wi-Fi network. Scanning over a network is something that neither I or many other users have successfully setting up using any number of Epson multifunctions."
Again, I agree - I did manage to get all these functions (memory card share / scanning over Wi-Fi etc.) working properly, and now that I have, the configuration and function availability has been very stable. HOWEVER - I would say, congruent with your assesment, that attaining this functionality was not easy or straight forward.
I would consider myself to have professional/expert level network related skills, and I nonetheless had a great deal of difficulty getting the TX610FW connected and operating properly (with all functions available) over Wi-Fi.
During the setup process it is noted on multiple occasions that firewall or anti-virus software settings may impede the proper installation of the TX610FW - yet Epson has not seen fit to provide any detailed information about hidden executables which (when blocked) by said utilities would prevent proper network operation of the device, nor to (more appropriately) create the proper exclusions for those programs automatically (at least in Windows Firewall which should be an obvious necessity).
In short, whilst it is possible to make (it) work, I concede wholly that it is perhaps not the device of choice for the average user who may not have extensive networking experience, and/or the patience to wade through a plethora of unnoted executables that require exceptions configured in their firewall or other security programs/devices.
This product is marketed by Epson as a full-function network enabled device, and while that is actually the case (evidenced by the fact that I have it working), it seems pretty clear that Epson has failed to make the TX610FW an easy to use and configure product for the average SOHO user.
James, I appreciate you taking the time to reply and clarify on this matter.
Regards,
Jeff
Anytime Jeff, I'm always
Anytime Jeff,
I'm always willing to continue my assessment of a product after the review is live, and continue conversation with PCW/GGG readers to ensure that all comments are accurate. As I said I would, I have changed the review to make the Ethernet/Wi-Fi login information situation clearer.
I'm still waiting to get the TX610FW back in from Epson in order to ensure that I can enable the memory card and scan options, as this seems to be a running issue across Epson multifunctions and should definitely be something that we clear up for future and potential Epson customers.
Thanks for bringing those issues to my attention,
Thanks
James