New Epson Pro 3880 - installing software

[Harry Briels]

I expect a new Epson Pro 3880 soon and want then to make sure to install relevant software only. Certainly no software I have no use for.
I have selected Pro 3880 software as listed hereunder and I would very much appreciate to read your advise regarding this software I plan to install on my iMac OS X 10.9.5

List of software I plan to install:
1) Apple Common Updater v1.0 - Aug 29, 2014
2) Driver v9.33 - Oct 23, 2014
3) Mac OS X Common Updater v8.0 - Oct 12, 2011
4) Firmware vP0079C - Mar 09, 2010
5) Color Base v2,65 - Dec 02, 2014
6) Uninstall Center v1.2.8 - Sep 30, 2014
7) Epson LFP Remote Panel v2,50 - May 12, 2014
8) Epson Print-Plug-In v1.22 - Apr 25, 2013
9) Several icc profiles for the Epson paper I plan using

Special questions I have:
a) I wonder especially whether it will be necessary to install the Firmware vP0079C?
I have read that doing so could have an unwanted impact on e.g. the functioning of the chips on the cartridges, e.g. that these no longer can be reset to full? But perhaps installing firmware once might be necessary?
b) Is it useful to install Color Base v2,65?
c) Is it useful to install Print-Plug-In? I use LightRoom for all my printing.

Thank you for your advise!
Harry

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

If you are getting a new printer, then it should come with the latest firmware (except some months of shelf live) and not with a firmware prior to 2010. I would install a firmware update only if I'm affected by a particular bug which that firmware update fixes. But typically it's not easy to get information from Epson what actually gets fixed with an update.

 

[The Hat]

Hi Harry,

Just make sure nothing is left of the old Epson printer software on your system first, and I would not install the firmware upgrade for the Mac, I reckon it’s too old and so is the Common updater V8.0 OCT 12-2011..

I do hope you enjoy your new machine..

 

[RogerB]

You are not likely to need Color Base - it's only for calibrating the printer using a spectrophotometer like an i1Pro. There is really no need to re-calibrate the printer at this level. As for the ICC profiles, they should be installed automatically when you install the printer.

Although I'm not a Mac user, I have read enough horror stories about Apple updates of Epson drivers to warn against any "automatic" updates......

Enjoy it!

 

[Harry Briels]

As we know the software on the CD that comes with the printer is often not up-to-date.
This is the reason why I asked Epson Europe for the most recent software for installing the Pro 3880.

I then received their advise to use the software listed in :http://www.epson.be/be/nl/viewcon/corporatesite/products/mainunits/support/3642/15
As you can see e.g. the Firmware listed is vP0079C of Mar 09, 2010.
But on internet one will find an Epson Firmware v9.33 of Oct 29, 2014.

I will also not install Color Base as advised by RogerB

Questions:
- Do I understand correctly that I should not install both: "Apple Common Updater v1.0" and "MAC OS X Common Updater v8.0"? (advise RogerB)
- Is it necessary at all to install Firmware? What happens when I do not install Firmware?

From all of this I can only conclude that it is not such a good advise to just use automatically the Installation-CD that comes with the printer!
Thanks for your help!
Harry

 

[Harry Briels]

I just received my new Epson 3880.

After unpacking I find a CD for installing software on my iMac which runs on OS X 10.9.5.
The CD is identified as being for "Mac OS X Lion"!
Most files on this CD are dated October 2011 approx. 4 years old!

When asking in this thread for your advise regarding how to best install "what software" on my new 3880, the message I got was more or less:
"why do you worry? Just use the CD that comes with the new (?) printer".

If this printer is offering a CD and installing instructions for iMac "OS X Mountain Lion" is this really a new printer or one that has been sitting on shelves for many years?
On the other hand the ink cartridges do show an end date of 09 2016, but must have been put in the box recently!

Now again I would very much appreciate receiving your advise!
Thank you for this.Harry

 

[Harry Briels]

Further to my thread regarding the old software for my "new" Epson Pro 3800, I herewith show you an instruction that came with the 3880 and which is totally unclear.
Is this the way Epson services its clients?
See attachment!
Harry

 

[martin0reg]

Firmware and drivers are not like programs, these are like operating systems for hardware .. if they are updated, then mostly to correct real bugs.. Did you ever get or want an update for your TV ??