Hello!

I've been getting some conflicting information, and the only people I have available to ask are those who I'm not sure even understand the question.

Is there anyone here with personal experience on these machines?

What I am trying to nail down is whether the EPS versions (the printer-only, no scanner ones) include the same embedded controller, to which you add the FreeFlow controller, as the Copier/Printer version. It has been explained to me that if you get the 4112/4127 Copier/Printer with the FreeFlow controller, the embedded print controller is still there, too. So technically you could disconnect the FreeFlow and print directly to the embedded controller if you wanted to, which I do!

Is this correct?

If so, does this mean that you can do the same with the EPS printer-only versions?

My reason for asking is that I would like the EPS version of the machine, without the copy-top, but the full FreeFlow controller is overkill (and an extra $20k by itself!) and I don't want it.

The sales people don't even understand what I'm asking, and are acting like I am really putting them out to get this information. I'd happily do my own research except that the information just isn't out there for this type of machine.

If anyone here can help, it would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

The FreeFlow controller  (FFPS) is a very positive addition to any machine, B&W or color. 
This is why these machines sell for a premium  (when the FFPS controller is part of the package).

Xerox has a considerable amount of information about the FFPS on their site.  I really believe you will see less and less Fiery and Creo servers, and more FFPS, especially on the upper end color boxes.  We added FFPS to two 2045's and it was like getting an entirely new machine.  The capabilities of the FFPS far exceed the old Fiery we had on the machines.

As to your specific question, I don't believe the FFPS would print to the embedded controller.  The FFPS has it's own robust rip cabability with dedicated interface cards.  There would be no reason to direct the FFPS output to the embedded controller.

Most embedded controllers are the bottom of the barrel in terms of capability, control, flexibility, color matching, etc
 The Fiery and Creo occupy the middle ground, and the FFPS was designed to be the upper end solution  (and is priced accordingly).

The FreeFlow controller  (FFPS) is a very positive addition to any machine, B&W or color. 
This is why these machines sell for a premium  (when the FFPS controller is part of the package).

I love the FreeFlow controllers! For my particular needs in this case the primary feature of the FreeFlow controllers which I can't live without is the ability to easily program inserts from any tray intermixed through the print run. All the other benefits of the FreeFlow controller, while nice (and invaluable on a color machine) aren't worth the money to me, for what I'll be using it for, and the 4112/4127's integrated controller now includes the same covers/inserts/special pages interface that the FreeFlow itself does. (Similar to how all the current WorkCentre machines' driver interfaces are basically the same as a FreeFlow RIP's driver, including inserts programming. They're almost like "FreeFlow Lite" it seems.

As to your specific question, I don't believe the FFPS would print to the embedded controller.  The FFPS has it's own robust rip cabability with dedicated interface cards.  There would be no reason to direct the FFPS output to the embedded controller.

As I understood it, and I don't put TOO much stock in what was said because of where it came from which is why I was hoping to confirm here, the FreeFlow doesn't print THROUGH the embedded RIP, its just that the embedded RIP is there anyway, whether or not you have the FreeFlow RIP. So if you're using the FreeFlow, it is dormant. They said that if you remove the FreeFlow, you can revert to using the embedded RIP. This doesn't strike me as impossible, though it does seem a little unusual based on Xerox's usual practice. However, if it is true, and if the EPS is the same way, that would be $20-$25k savings for me since my only "FreeFlow-like" need is the inserts capability, and the embedded RIP includes that now. (The older 4110 embedded RIPs didn't.)

Thanks for the info!

Are the Freeflow servers harware or software driven ? I would love to ditch the creo in favor of xerox rips but I assume the price is crazy !

They're hardware. And they're licensed, so many of them require a license key every year. If you're on contract, your tech just takes care of it for you (there is no cost outside of your maintenance), but if you are a self-maintainer, it could potentially be an issue.

They're nice, though!

Hi,

I have a 4110 copy/print/scaner (not EPS) with embedded controller, I bought the Docusp from that link from ebay, but now I have a question, how does the Docusp connects to the 4110? Only through Ethernet cable? or is there other communication cable required for that? Sorry not to open a new thread but this is on the same subject...

Yes! Thanks!

Now I need to know the part number of the Interface Cable that connects the Interface Jack (4110) with the TBIA PWB... and if that interface jack it's the same I already have on my 4110 C/P with embedded server........ OR is this interface cable a normal RJ45 cat 5 network cable???

Do you have this entire server installation guide in pdf? Could you send me?

Thanks!!!

Need an email address,  can't attach something that big to a post  . . .

Would it be possible for me to get a copy of that as well? I'll PM you my email address.

I've been continuing my research, and going back to my original question at the top, it does in fact appear that the original embedded controller is "still there" even if you install the Fiery or FreeFlow. They connect to the SCSI port of the server interface card, but the ethernet port and all the embedded controller "parts" are untouched. Presumably you could disconnect the server and go back to the embedded (Green) controller if you wished. This is the situation for the Copier/Printer version. Now I just need to find out if the EPS works the same way.

I think the cable is a VHDCI / HD-68 SCSI like this: http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Go-28294-VHDCI-SCSI-3/dp/B0002J29MQ ..... Caffeine, sorry to mess with your post! I should've open a new thread....