Xitron RasterBlaster

Xitron RasterBlaster is an unsupported configuration

What is Xitron RasterBlaster?
Xitron RasterBlaster is a software and hardware solution, provided by Xitron, which connects to a wide variety of output devices, recently including a Trendsetter. The RasterBlaster connects to the serial and SCSI ports on the Trendsetter (Xitron has reverse engineered the protocol). RasterBlaster basically acts as a TIFF Downloader (or "TIFF Shooter"), and completely replaces the Creo Print Console box. Note that there are other Xitron products, so it helps to be clear when you are speaking specifically about Xistron RasterBlaster.
Do we support the RasterBlaster/Trendsetter configuration? Why not?
No. We do not support this configuration. Some of the key reasons include:
- RasterBlaster connected to a Trendsetter is an unstable configuration. In particular, it is known to be very poor at handling error or warning conditions.
- Connecting the RasterBlaster (and disconnecting Print Console) disables our ability to remotely service the machine, because (i) modem access is disabled, and (ii) remote service tools (which typically run on the Print Console machine) are no longer available.
- We have some concerns that it may make the Trendsetter unsafe in certain conditions. There are no specific safety issues that we know about; the point is that the configuration is not well-known or well-tested enough to say for sure.
- Our controlled release process is designed to ensure that all components (e.g. Print Console, firmware) work well together and are fully tested as a package. The RasterBlaster adds an unknown element, which is particularly vulnerable to changes as it uses an internal Creo interface in an unknown manner.
What are we telling customers, dealers and Xitron about this?

We had an open discussion with Xitron on this issue, and eventually determined that we could not support the solution, and that it did not make sense to pursue any alternative approaches. Xitron has been informed about this. We will need to inform our customers in a tactful way that this is not a supported configuration. We are working on a letter that can be given to customers to explain the situation. This is expected to be available in mid-February, 2004.
Please inform Trendsetter Product Development if you come across any such installations, or have questions how to deal with them. Although it is clear that the Xitron RasterBlaster sites are not supported, the exact application of this policy may need to be determined on a case-by-case basis. We will need to have a similar discussion with dealers and other equipment sellers, including Heidelberg (who are beginning to push this solution).