PictBridge

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PictBridge (of picture bridge , Engl. For Bridge ) is a standard that the printing of images from a digital camera or a mobile phone without using a PC allows. As a rule, the digital camera is connected directly to the printer via a USB cable. PictBridge is not limited to a USB connection, but can also use other connection options such as B. Use Bluetooth . However, current digital cameras and printers usually only offer the USB port.

How PictBridge works

A PictBridge-enabled printer prints directly from the camera to which it is connected with a USB cable. Although the printer and camera are from different manufacturers, they can communicate easily. Printer settings can be made directly on the camera. A computer is not required. Compact printers enable mobile use.
End of printing. The next picture can be selected on the camera from the inserted memory card.

In order for PictBridge printing to work, the digital camera and printer must support the PictBridge standard and be connected to each other with a USB cable, for example. Printing can then be started via the user interface of the digital camera. If necessary, the camera allows you to make further settings such as image size. This depends on which PictBridge functions are supported by the digital camera and printer. The PictBridge standard only prescribes some of the functions as required functions which every PictBridge-enabled device must support. In addition, the PictBridge standard describes recommended, optional and manufacturer-specific functions that do not have to be offered by every PictBridge-enabled device. For example, the choice of paper type is one of the optional features. This has the disadvantage that only those functions can be used that are jointly supported by both devices. If you buy a device, you won't find any information on the packaging or on the logo indicating which functions of the PictBridge standard are supported. Most of the time, only reading the manuals for both devices or trying them out helps here, possibly only after purchasing.

PictBridge history

The manufacturer-independent PictBridge standard (CIPA DC-001-2003) has existed since June 2003, a revision 2.0 was published in 2007 (CIPA DC-001-2003 rev. 2.0). The Japanese organization Cipa ( Camera & Imaging Products Association ) is responsible for the standard . Even before PictBridge, there was the option of direct printing from a digital camera. However, this mostly only worked between digital cameras and printers from the same manufacturer. The PictBridge standard is now supported by most well-known manufacturers.

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