Plugin+Bit+Depth

=How many bits of data does the 16 bit Export plug-in send to the printer?=

Scott Martin reports being informed by Canon that while the drivers and plug-ins can send 16 bit data, the iPF printers process that data at 12 bits per color channel :

"Canon's drivers and plug-ins are now both capable of sending 16 bit data but, at least on the x100 printers, the on-board L-COA processor was *processing* that 16 bit data in a 12 bit mode. The other brands haven't come clean as to what bit depth they are processing their data on board. Some well known evangelists are quick to say that even Epson's $100 printers process data at 16 bits but when I ask direct questions about bit depth processing to Epson's and HP's product managers they are quick to say "no comment" with a grin. Processing that data at higher bit depths gets exponentially more demanding and costly. There a point of diminishing returns and Canon choose to go with 12 bits because they felt it was past that point. Personally I think the distinction between 12, 14, and 16 bits is pretty insignificant and I choose to focus instead of 8 bits vs "high bit depth" paths. And above that, I like to let the final print quality speak for itself. On some printers you can send a grainger rainbow in 8 or 16 bit modes and see a real (albeit small) improvement at high bit depth, whereas on some printers you won't see a difference at all - that's valuable info.

We shouldn't be complaining about having only 12 bit processing. Instead, we should be glad that all iPF printers have a true, high bit depth printing, with notable (albeit small) improvements over a the 8 bit option."