Can I get the HP officejett 4500 to scan decent B&W images?

Question

I would like to
1) place an image on the scanner bed.
2) scan that image as a jpg at a higher setting then the very very low pre-set dpi (ppi?) setting. I am hoping that a higher setting will cure the problem, and it's not just the scanner.

That's it. That's my question.
I have been scanning from printed material, like magazines, and the results for color images are okay, but when ever there is a black and white image on the page the results are scary bad! even though the final jpeg is huge! (up to 5mb)

Is it possible to scan a printed page at a higher setting?

I was able to create a short-cut setting in the "HP Solution Center" with a higher dpi, but I'm unable to find a way to select that short cut. It seems that HP wants me to purchase some sort of extra program in order to scan anything out side of the pre-sets? That just seems crazy.

Because, using the scanner the way it's insalled with the HP insaller, The machine only has basic on/off keyboard choices, like using an old photocopier at the library. I can only scan at PDF, JPEG or TEXT. While I want to scan at JPEG, I am given no option to choose the dpi or even choose a custom setting.

I have spent at least 20 hours trying to figure out the online owners manual (there is no printed manual) for the HP officejett 4500, after reading thru the HP owners manual on-line and asking for help in their forums, I have learned nothing.

I am just wondering if there is anybody out there who knows how to make decent scans of a b&w photo using an HP scanner? Or do I need to toss this brand new scanner on the scrap heap and go buy a decent one?

Answer 1

Yes, you can do it.



However, you will need to have installed the HP Solution Center to your PC. The scan button on the printer itself is limited to the default 200 dpi color jpeg scan. Your actual scanner is good for 2400x4800 if you need that ridiculous detail.



After getting the HP Solution center installed and linked to your all-in-one printer, put the item to be scanned on the glass. Walk over to your PC, open up the HP Solution Center and say Scan Document or Scan Picture. Select "Scan to File" from the window that appears, and you can specify such things as B&W, grayscale and dpi settings. You'll actually initiate the scan from your PC, so it's handy if the printer is reasonably near by if you are doing multiple scans.



And I agree, the manual for your Officejet 4500 is rather sparse on scanning information.

Answer 2

Get HP Officejett Scan Support http://goo.gl/4UG0Bx

Answer 3

Be sure to use the "Descreen" option when scanning from magazines.

http://www.scanhelp.com/288int/scontent/descreen.html