G3 Disc Publisher
For Mac OS X
Microboards Technology LLC Version 1.1
Users Manual
Any unauthorized modification to this equipment may result in the revocation by the FCC of the user’s authority to
operate this equipment.
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
• Increase the separation between the equipment and antenna
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different than that to which the receiver is connected
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help
This product is in conformity with the EMC Directive (89/336/EEC) through compliance with the following European standards: EN 55022,
EN 55024. The CE mark has been affixed in accordance with the CE Marking Directive 93/68/EEC.
Canadian Department of Communications (DOC) Statement
This Class B digital apparatus complies with the Canadian ICES-003 Issue 4:2004. Cet appareil numerique de la classe B est conforme a la
norme NMB-003
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du Canade
MICROBOARDS TECHNOLOGY, LLC G3 DISC PUBLISHER
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 5
What’s Included.................................................................................................................5
System Requirements....................................................................................................... 6
Assembly and Installation..................................................................................................... 6
Assembly Instructions ....................................................................................................... 6
G3 Disc Publisher Assembly.......................................................................................... 6
Installing Ink Cartridges..................................................................................................... 7
Supported Ink Cartridges ............................................................................................... 7
Loading / Replacing Ink Cartridges ................................................................................ 7
Loading Discs.................................................................................................................... 8
Front Control Panel........................................................................................................... 8
Installation of Drivers and Software................................................................................... 9
Driver and Microboards PrintWrite Installation ............................................................... 9
Connecting to a Mac ......................................................................................................... 9
Adding the G3 Printer..................................................................................................... 9
Printer Alignment................................................................................................................ 10
Alignment........................................................................................................................ 10
Microboards Toolbox.......................................................................................................... 10
Ink Level.............................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Test................................................................................................................................. 11
Clean............................................................................................................................... 11
Utility ..................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Support............................................................................................................................ 12
Register........................................................................................................................... 12
The G3 Disc Publisher and PrintWrite................................................................................ 12
Print Only without PrintWrite .............................................................................................. 13
Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................. 13
Printer not printing:.......................................................................................................... 13
Disc Loading error........................................................................................................... 13
Low Ink indication............................................................................................................ 13
Printing Specifications........................................................................................................ 14
Technical Support .............................................................................................................. 14
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MICROBOARDS TECHNOLOGY, LLC G3 DISC PUBLISHER
Introduction
The Microboards G3 Disc Publisher is a single drive, 50 disc, print and record system. The G3 combines
professional quality printing and recording into a single, easy to use duplicator. The system includes one 24x
DVD recorder. Microboards and HP co-developed the printer technology, allowing up to 4800 x 1200 dpi
printing. The Microboards PrintWrite software is a dynamic interface for both beginners and power users.
Easily record DVD Video, DVD data, Audio CD’s, Data CD’s, Video CD’s and much more.
Other features include:
• Asynchronous print and record function
• Creation of audio CD’s from MP3 or wave files
• Batch mode, allowing multiple different masters to be used at a time.
• Integrated print function.
• A cover flow of your recently-used images used for printing.
• Multi-job queueing.
What’s Included
When unpacking your G3 Disc Publisher system, the following items should be included:
• G3 Disc Publisher print and record system
• G3 Disc Publisher Quick Start Guide
• Power Cord
• Blank Printable CDs
• Users Manual (This document)
• Microboards G3 Disc Publisher Install CD (Includes drivers and Microboards PrintWrite
software)
• Microboards GX-300HC Color Ink cartridge (14ml)
• USB Printer Cable
• Input Bin rods (already installed)
• 50 disc output assembly
If any of these items are missing, please contact your distributor or Microboards Technology
Technical Support department at 952-556-1639.
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System Requirements
The Microboards G3 Disc Publisher has the following minimum requirements and compatibilities:
Operating System
Mac OS 10.5
Processors
Intel Processor is required
System Memory
Minimum 1 GB of system memory
Hard Drive
A separate internal 7200 RPM hard drive is recommended for storing your data. Using the same
hard drive as the operating system can cause the system to perform slowly.
USB Connection
USB 2.0 is required. USB 1.1 is not supported, as using USB 1.1 will result in significantly longer
recording times and the potential for recording failures.
Assembly and Installation
Assembly Instructions
G3 Disc Publisher Assembly
Remove the G3 Disc Publisher
system from the shipping box and
confirm you received all of the
items.
Place the G3 Disc Publisher on a
stable, flat surface. You will need
room both in front and behind the
system, as discs will be accessed
from both locations.
The Input Bin posts are preinstalled, with the wide post to the
right.
The 50-disc Output Bin is shipped in
place under the front cover. Lift the
cover to remove the packaging tape
from the Output Bin.
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MICROBOARDS TECHNOLOGY, LLC G3 DISC PUBLISHER
Installing Ink Cartridges
Supported Ink Cartridges
The G3 Disc Publisher uses a single color ink cartridge. The part number for this cartridge is GX300HC. If other cartridges are installed, the G3 Disc Publisher will not function. These cartridges are
available from any Microboards reseller.
Refill kits or non-Microboards ink cartridges are not recommended for use in the G3
Disc Publisher system. Use of these types of cartridges will cause the printer to fail
and will void the warranty.
Loading / Replacing Ink Cartridges
Cartridges should be changed while the G3 Disc Publisher is on. The cartridge can be replaced
during printing.
The G3 Disc Publisher system ships with one Microboards GX-300HC color ink cartri dge.
• Lift the front cover with the power on. The ink cartridge cradle will move to the right side of
the G3 Disc Publisher, as shown below.
• Tilt the old cartridge forward to release the cartridge from the cradle, as shown in the inset
below.
• Lift the old cartridge out of the cradle.
• Remove the new GX-300HC ink cartridge from its packaging and carefully remove the plastic
tape. Hold the ink cartridge so that the copper strip is at the bottom.
• With the front of the new GX-300HC ink cartridge tilted down, slide the cartridge into the
cradle.
• Tilt the front of the GX-300HC ink cartridge back up to lock the ink cartridge in place.
• Lower the front cover.
• The new GX-300HC ink
cartridge will be initialized
by the printer.
The Microboards GX-300HC
Ink Cartridge must be used
or the printer will not
function.
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Loading Discs
The next step is to load your G3 Disc Publisher with discs. The system will accept CD or DVD 120
mm (12 cm) inkjet printable discs. If the disc does not have an inkjet printable surface, the ink will not
adhere to the surface of the disc. The G3 Disc Publisher will only accept 12 cm discs. Business card
or 8 cm discs are not supported by this system.
Figure 1 Figure 2
Load the first 5 or 6 discs flat, as seen in figure 1.
Load the rest of the discs at an angle, against the wide input rod, as seen in figure 2.
The G3 Disc Publisher will hold a maximum of 50 discs. DO NOT load more than 50 discs in the
system, as this may cause the discs to feed incorrectly.
Front Control Panel
The AC power switch located on the back of the G3 Disc Publisher must be turned on first in order to
supply power to the Front Control Panel.
The Power Button on the front panel of the G3 Disc Publisher turns the G3 Disc Publisher Printer on
and off. It may take a few seconds for the G3 Disc Publisher Printer to turn on after you press the
Power Button. This does not affect power to the drive within the G3 Disc Publisher.
To turn off the power to the printer using the Control Panel, you will need to press and hold the Power
Button for 3 seconds. Once the Ink Light, Media Light, and Power Light begin flashing, you can
release the Power Button.
The green Power/Activity light flashes when the printer is active, either while printing or initializing.
The Cancel Button can be used to discontinue printing. When using PrintWrite, this will only affect
the current disc being printed. If printing through other applications, this will either cancel the entire
print job or just the current disc depending on the label being printed and the application being used.
Any disc being printed when the Cancel button is pressed will be ejected into the Output bin.
If a disc is not detected
during printing, the Media
Light will flash. Verify that
you have discs in the input
hopper and press the Media
Light to load and print the
next disc.
The Ink Light will come on if
the ink cartridge is low or
empty.
Cancel Button
Power Button
Ink Light
Media Light
Power/Activity
Light
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MICROBOARDS TECHNOLOGY, LLC G3 DISC PUBLISHER
Installation of Drivers and Software
Driver and Microboards PrintWrite Installation
Drivers and Microboards PrintWrite must be installed on a hard disk. Once you have installed the
software, store the original installer disc in a safe place.
1. Insert the Installation CD in your system’s disc drive. Open the disc icon when it appears on
the desktop.
2. Double-click on the Microboards Publisher.mpkg icon. Follow the on-screen instructions,
read and agree to the end user license agreement.
3. When prompted, enter your administrator password.
4. When prompted, click Install. Once the Microboards Installer has completed, a restart is
required.
Connecting to a Mac
DO NOT CONNECT YOUR G3 DISC PUBLISHER BEFORE RUNNING THE INSTALLER
LOCATED ON THE INSTALLATION DISK!!
The connection between the Mac and the Microboards G3 Disc Publisher is done with one USB 2.0
cable.
1. Plug in the AC power cord to the back of the G3 Disc Publisher.
2. Confirm that the power is turned ON to both the G3 Disc Publisher and on your Mac.
3. Connect the square shaped end of the USB cable to the back of the G3 Disc Publisher.
4. Connect the flat, rectangular end of the USB cable into a USB 2.0 port in
your Mac.
Adding the GX Series Printer
Once the drivers and software have been installed and the G3 connected, the GX
Series Printer needs to be added.
1. Click System Preferences in the Dock.
2. Select Print & Fax. If the GX Series printer has not been added
automatically, then click the Add or + button to add a printer.
3. Select GX Series from the list and click the Add button.
4. Once the GX Series Printer has been added, it will appear in the
available printers list, as shown below.
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Printer Alignment
Verify the printer alignment the first time you use the Publisher. You may need to align your
printer before the printed images will be centered on your media. Changing the brand or type
of media you are using may also require small alignment adjustments.
Alignment
• Click System Preferences in the Dock.
• Select Print & Fax.
• Select Print & Fax.
• Double-click the Microboards GX Series icon.
• Click the Printer Setup button.
• Click the Utility button to open the
Microboards Toolbox.
• Click the Open Printer Utility
button.
• Click the Disc Printing icon.
• Enter the alignment changes into the
Top and Left Side boxes. These
settings will change the size of the
top and left margins, respectively.
Decreasing the values will move the
image up or to the left, increasing will
adjust down or to the right.
• Click the Apply Now button.
• Verify the alignment by printing a full coverage image. The image should print centered on
the disc. If not, adjust the Top and Left Side alignment values according to the graphic on
the Alignment tab and repeat.
Microboards Utility
Access the Microboards Utility by selecting the System Preferences from the Dock.
Select Print & Fax. Highlight the Microboards GX Series icon and click the Utility icon.
You can also select Open Printer Utility from the Utilities menu in PrintWrite. The
Utility will allow you to access the Printer information as shown below.
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Docked
Utility Icon
MICROBOARDS TECHNOLOGY, LLC G3 DISC PUBLISHER
Supply Status
The Supply Status page shows how much remains of all 3
colors, Cyan, Magenta and Yellow.
NOTE: If you place a used cartridge in the G3, the ink level
may not be reported correctly. If the G3 can identify the
cartridge, it may report the correct ink levels; if not, it will
assume that the ink cartridge is new and will show ink levels
of 100%.
Before each disc is printed, the ink levels are checked. If the
level of any one color is has reached 10%, a warning
message will be displayed on your Mac and printing will be
temporarily suspended. You can either change the cartridge
at this point, or continue printing using the same cartridge.
If you continue with the same cartridge, printing will continue
uninterrupted until the ink level reaches 5%. The low ink level
warning will be displayed once more. Again, either change the cartridge or continue.
Once the ink level reaches 3% or less, the warning will be displayed before each print.
It is strongly recommended that you replace the cartridge at this point.
Clean Pen
The Clean Pen function allows you to run a cleaning cycle
on the ink cartridge.
At least one disc must be in the input hopper for the utility
to function.
Click the Clean button once a disc has been loaded to the
belts. If the resulting disc shows streaks similar to those
shown in the image on this page, you may need to run the
Clean utility again.
Device Information
Click the Device Information icon to view Model and Firmware Version of your GX Series printer.
Test
To confirm the computer is communicating with the G3 Disc Publisher, print a Test Disc. This can be
done with one of the inkjet printable CD’s included with your G3 Disc Publisher, or an inkjet
compatible disc you may already have. To print the Test Disc:
• Load at least one piece of printable media in the Input hopper.
• From the Microboards Toolbox, select Test.
• Click the Test button.
• Once printing is complete, the disc will be ejected into the output hopper.
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Disc Printing
The Outer and Inner Diameters will change the
size of the area to be printed. To avoid
excessive ink buildup, these values should
never be set so that the G3 Disc Publisher is
printing off the media.
The Alignment values will move the print
image on the disc in 0.1 mm increments.
The Restore to Factory Settings button will
restore the values to the default values. The
Top and Left Side values will be changed to 0.
Support
Clicking the Support button will open the Microboards Technology Support website in your default
internet browser. This function requires an internet connection.
Supplies
Clicking the Supplies button will open the Microboards Technology website in your default internet
browser. This function requires an internet connection.
Registration
Clicking the Registration button will open your default internet browser to the Microboards Product
Registration webpage. When registering your G3 Disc Publisher, please be sure you are including
the correct serial number, which will be on the back of the G3 and on the box product label. This
function requires an internet connection.
Recycling
Clicking the Recycling button will open the Microboards Technology website in your default internet
browser to provide you with information on recycling used ink cartridges. This function requires an
internet connection.
The G3 Disc Publisher and PrintWrite
Microboards PrintWrite is required to control the Burn and Print functionality of the Microboards G3
Disc Publisher. It is able to set up publishing jobs, load the GX , burn to the loaded disc, unload the
disc, and then print the image you have selected.
PrintWrite will automatically find your G3 Disc Publisher the robotics and printer when the application
is opened. Having more than one robotic system connected to the Mac is not supported.
Please see the Microboards PrintWrite manual for more information on using PrintWrite.
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MICROBOARDS TECHNOLOGY, LLC G3 DISC PUBLISHER
Print Only without PrintWrite
While PrintWrite does include a Print Only project type, you can print from any application to the G3
Disc Publisher. When printing using the G3 Disc Publisher from any application, you should always
choose GX Series and 120mm disc in the Format For and Paper Size Page Setup selections,
respectively.
It is highly recommended that the image you are printing is 120mm by 120mm. Having a
different size image may result in the improper placement of the image on the disc.
Printing prior to burning any media is not recommended!!
Troubleshooting
Printer not printing:
1. Confirm the G3 Disc Publisher is plugged into a power source and is turned on. The ON/OFF
switch is located at the back of the unit, above the power cable connector.
2. Confirm the green light on the power button is lit on the Control Panel. If AC
power is on and the green light is off, press the power button on the Control
Panel and wait for several seconds. If the light still does not come on, contact
Microboards Technical Support.
3. Confirm the G3 Disc Publisher is connected to the computer. This can be checked by clicking on
Start, going to Settings and selecting Printers. Confirm the printer is listed and is active.
4. Confirm that the Microboards GX-300HC Ink Cartridge is being used. The G3 Disc Publisher
will not function with any other cartridge!
Disc Loading error
1. If a disc is not loaded correctly, an error message will be displayed on your Mac. Check to
see if there are any discs on the belt. Remove any discs that are left on the belt.
2. Lift the cover and check for any discs on the front deck of the G3 Disc Publisher. Remove
any discs found on the belts. Close the cover.
3. Next, reload the input bin and click the OK button on the error message to continue. The
system will load the next disc and continue printing the remaining discs for that job.
Low Ink indication
Before each disc is printed, the ink levels are checked. If the level of any one color is has reached
10%, a warning message will be displayed on your Mac and printing will be temporarily suspended.
You can either change the cartridge at this point or continue printing using the same cartridge .
If you continue with the same cartridge, printing will continue uninterrupted until the ink level reaches
5%. The low ink level warning will be displayed once more. Again, either change the cartridge or
continue.
Once the ink level reaches 0%, the warning will be displayed before each print.
It is strongly recommended that you replace the cartridge at this point.
Please note that the percentage indicates the lowest of the three ink color levels, not the overall ink
level. Because of this, cartridges containing multiple ink colors may not feel empty when the ink level
is reporting 0% as one color may be empty while the others are not.
If you notice poor ink quality or a missing color in your prints at any time, replace the ink cartridge.
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Printing Specifications
Print Speed:
Depends upon percentage of coverage
and print mode selected:
Photo Normal Mode: Approx. 45 seconds
for 100% full-color coverage
Text & Graphics Best Mode: Approx. 20
seconds for 100% full-color coverage
Text & Graphics Normal Mode: Approx.
12 seconds for 20% coverage
Ink Cartridge Types:
Microboards GX-300HC
Media Types:
Inkjet Printable-surface 120mm CD, DVD,
and BD optical media (BD publishing
support requires a BluRay Publisher)
Maximum Print Width:
4.72” (120mm)
Technical Support
For technical questions or support issues, contact Microboards Technology technical support:
United States
PH: 952-556-1639
FAX: 952-556-1628
support@microboards.com
www.microboards.com
Please have the Model and Serial Number of your G3 Disc Publisher available when contacting
Technical Support.
PH: +44 (0) 845 230 7800
www.microboards.co.uk
Europe
Power Supply:
Auto Detect AC Power:
90VAC – 240VAC, 47Hz – 63Hz
Warranty:
One Year Limited Warranty
Print Technology:
HP Thermal Inkjet
Print Quality, Black: 600 x 600 dpi, with
HP PhotoREt
Print Quality, Color: up to 4800 x 1200
optimized dpi, with HP PhotoREt
Color Technology: HP PhotoREt
Memory:
64MB
Connectivity:
USB 2.0 required
Japan
PH: 03-3561-2266
www.microboards.co.jp
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