Scanning in OS X

[B0rg]

New graphics forums...nice idea...

I have an HP PSC 2210 all-in-one printer/scanner which I like a lot. Also HP supplies drivers for these units for OS X. While scanning is okay I have some issues with the bloaty HP software. Does anyone use 3rd party programs to drive their scanners, for example Twain drivers?

...maybe I'm confused why Apple fans say scanning in OS X is so much better?

[wpholmes]

I've never heard anyone say that scanning is better in OS X. I hardly use it, but when I do the HP software is horrible. It automatically crops things and is a very bloated program all together.

I agree with you 100%.

[mad0214]

Agreed here. I hate all the junk and extra software they include for the HP Printers. I have a PSC 750 All-in-one, but haven't looked into replacement software.

[wpholmes]

HP even runs a process all the time. I don't know how to turn it off.

[Alec Feld]

Scanning is crap in OS X, and the HP drivers and software are terrible/bloated. You just have to deal with the HP crap, as there's no other real solution.

[Kyle Nilson]

Um... why not use Image Capture? It comes with the computer, and works plug and play with every scanner I've used, up to and including push to scan buttons.

It's in your Applications folder. Give it a whirl. ;)

[Tonio Loewald]

Never had a problem scanning in OS X (I have HP and Epson scanners).

I agree HP's software leaves a lot to be desired, but it's not like it's better on Windows.

[MacHeadCase]

For better scanning software I usually recommend Hamrick Software's VueScan (http://www.hamrick.com/vsm.html) which supports 750 flatbed scanners (http://www.hamrick.com/vuescan/vuescan.htm#supported).

Unfortunately I looked in the supported scanner list and it seems to include only the HP PSC 2200 model. :sad:

[Kilted]

I hate HP I borrowed a scanner from a mate at work. I thought no probs with the drivers download them from HP ... wrong the Mac drivers were Pay for only the XP were free. I ended up using my wifes Laptop to scan the pictures for me.. I hate HP

[MaDDoG]

Thing I hate most is the lack of support for Macs. I have a Canon scanner and the cd says Mac drivers but they are useless.

[Sherman Homan]

HP makes great hardware. They also make the absolute worst software. I have never had to download and reinstall drivers for any device the way I have to with HP. And that does seem to be true on both the Mac side and Windows. Kyle Nilson nails it with Image Capture, totally under-rated piece of software!

[Jimbo25TX]

I have PSC 1510 all-in-one.... When I print it seems to always cut off a small portion at the bottom of the pages that I'm trying to print and I can't find any way to fix this issue. I also can't get the scanner to work at all... Almost ready to get a printer/scanner combo that will actually work with my mac.

[MacHeadCase]

As I posted earlier in this thread, you could have a look at VueScan. You can try it before buying it to see if it works. Your model isn't on the list (http://www.hamrick.com/vuescan/vuescan.htm#hp), only the PSC 1500 but try it, you'll see.


Edited to add:

Just as an example, interesting what HP says in this Knowledge Base article (http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00701782&lc=en&cc=bo&dlc=es&product=428803&rule=20999): it would seem the driver is for the whole series.

This document applies to the HP PSC 1503, 1504, 1508, 1510, 1510s, 1510v, 1510xi, 1513, 1513s, and 1514 All-in-Ones.

So if I were you, I would definitely give VueScan a try since the HP driver supplied by HP doesn't seem to work. Maybe VueScan would be the solution.

And before printing, you do use Page Setup to make sure the application knows which paper size is chosen?

And report back to let us know how it goes, I'd be curious in finding this out and others would be as well, I'm sure.