Because Epson holds the patent in the US. The only option is to buy a printer destined for other markets or hack them.
ADDED: Sorry iP4XXX, I didn't see your post before posting mine.
Buy one from Canada, they're enabled for disc printing, cartridges are the same as US. I bought my first iP4500 from someone in Canada so I could print on discs.
EDIT: I found one for you in Vancouver if it's still available:
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/sys/1892030645.html
Here's an unbroken link:
Microsoft Color Control Panel Applet for Windows XP
But I'm not sure how useful it will be given the need to profile different papers and printable discs.
Hmm. I get great prints out of my iP4500 (just slightly off-color from the flyer paper).
@stratman, I get mine from HERE. Yes, they are pricey but I only use them for the discs I produce for sale. For my personal use, I use THESE
strobemonkey, which waterproof DVDs are you using? I use JVC (TY) Watershields.
The images printed on them vary slightly from the HP Brochure and Flyer (glossy) paper I use. I've resigned myself (so far) to live with the color change from what I see on the screen to what prints out on the flyer...
For "washing out" your carts, do a "flush" or "purge" search to find some good threads on the subject. Here are two:
http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=311
http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=5290
Doesn't make sense since most outlets in a room (and usually more than one room) are on the same circuit breaker. How many amps does the MP560 use? It can't be more than one can it?
Use an eraser to clean off the contacts on the cart chip. Are there any obstructions in the print head carrier that is preventing a good contact?
If all is good and it's still not recognized, go to Octoink.com, websnail has some empty OEM CLI carts for for sale (well practically giving away)...
Depending on where you're at, iP4500s can still be had for a decent price from time to time. Check out Craigslist. It uses the larger CLI-8 cartridges.
There's one being advertised in my area for $30.
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/ele/1900904687.html
@tnlem, if in the US, you can get Image Specialists in from Presision Colors (mikling - a member here)- http://stores.ebay.com/PrecisionColors . Hobicolors ink and IS ink are the two most recommened inks here. You won't go wrong either way.
For the cli-221 resetter, they can be had from forum...
Huh????
The ink colors obviously won't look the same when printed on black paper as they do on white, but the lighter colors should still be visible on the black paper. Wouldn't they?
@grasmere, a little more information on what you're tying to accomplish would be helpful. What printer do you...
I wonder if the third and fourth items here are what Irv was thinking about:
http://www.valueplastics.com/search/fulllinedoublecheckvalves.aspx
But once you squeeze the bottle to supply ink, how how will air get back into the bottle for the next go? Unscrew the check valve?
This site has some...
Ingue, not knowing where you're located but seeing that you spell color without the "u" I have to assume you're in the States, I did a quick "printing on fabric" search and came up with this company:
http://www.first2print.com/
and another http://www.spoonflower.com/welcome (although they...
It shouldn't be long before someone develops the "German window installation method" where you use a Dremel tool to cut out a section of the side wall and install a clear plastic window. Just wait, it'll come.