Why do HP ADF Scanners only scan at 300dpi? Will 3rd Party ADF Scan drivers work at 1200dpi?

[Questor2]

We just purchased a brand-new HP 4301fdw printer with a built-in ADF Scanner.

I have a large amount of older 4x6 or 5x7 color pictures (over 1,000 images) that I would like to scan and create a digital Family Album. 

However, I can't use the 4301fdw ADF at a maximum 300dpi and I don't want to manually place up to 4 pics on the flatbed scanner and then have to manually edit each scan to separrate the pics

It seems that alll of the HP 4301fdw Printer Manuals and specs make misleading claims the 4301fdw can scan from 300dpi to 1200dpi.

However, none of these HP manuals explain1200dpi scans only works with the flatbed scanner and manually placed photographs and not the ADF when using the HP drivers 4301fdw Scan drivers. 

HP Tech Support later said the Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)  will only work on scans up to 300dpi.

Can HP or anyone else recommend how I can use the 4301fdw ADF to scan at the 1200dpi that I need? 

Otherwise, is 3rd-party scan software drivers available that will work with the 4301fdw printer ADF scanner to scan at  1200dpi?

It seems to me that HP specs and documentation could be improved about 4301fdw scanning docs!

[Dragon-Fur]

@Questor2 

Welcome to the HP English Community --

Short version:

How to scan multiple images at one time with resolution higher than 300 dpi?

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True - the mechanics (printer hardware) scan no higher than 300 DPI.

Use a supported app / software to scan images from the flatbed at higher resolutions.

HP Document - How to Scan

 HP Printers - How to Scan (Windows, Mac, Mobile) | HP® Customer Support

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If not done,

Consider installing the full driver printer software for your version of Windows.

If you like, install the Universal Print Driver.

Software and Drivers Webpage

Software and Drivers for HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301fdw Printer  

Full Driver

HP Easy Start software includes options for remote solutions and tools via cloud Connectivity. Requi... 

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Next,

Optional -- Supported by your printer

Details Page - Driver - For your Printer

>>> Full Feature Software - Web Pack Installation Package - Information - Download / Save / (then) Install <<<

 HP Universal Scan Full Feature Software 

If needful, choose a different OS > Open all

If asked, opt for the Full Driver to be installed.

After the software is installed, Restart the computer and sign in. 

HP Universal Scan

After the software is installed, the HP Universal Scan Desktop shortcut is named for itself as "HP Scan"

Printer_Assistant_Scan_Assistant_Shortcut_Icons_on_Desktop_8

General Example - HP Universal Scan - Scan Menu - Save as JPEG

HP_Universal_Scan_Menu_JPEG_Page-Size_6

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Message Content References

Scan Specifications

Scan File Format	PDF; JPG; TIFF
Scan Input Modes	Front-panel scan, copy, email, or file buttons; HP Scan software; and user application via TWAIN or WIA
Scan Resolution, Enhanced	Up to 1200 dpi
Scan Resolution, Hardware	Up to 1200 x 1200 dpi
Scan Resolution, Optical	Up to 1200 dpi
Scan Size Maximum (ADF, Imperial)	8.5 x 14 in
Scan Size Maximum (ADF,metric)	216 x 356 mm
Scan Size Maximum (flatbed, imperial)	8.5 x 11.7 in
Scan Size Maximum (flatbed, metric)	216 x 297 mm
Scan Size Minimum (ADF, imperial)	4 x 6 in
Scan Size Minimum (ADF, metric)	102 x 152 mm
Scan Speed (normal, A4)	Up to 29 ppm, up to 26 ppm
Scan Speed (normal, letter)	Up to 31ppm, up to 28ppm
Scan Speed Duplex (normal, A4)	Up to 44 ipm (b&w), up to 35 ipm (color)
Scan Speed Duplex (normal, letter)	Up to 46 ipm (b&w), up to 37 ipm (color)
Scan Technology	Contact Image Sensor (CIS)
Scan Type	Flatbed, ADF

HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301, HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4302 - User Guide

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References / Resources

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[Repairatrooper]

To answer why, the mechanical movement of paper is less than accurate and therefore higher resolution is not possible. To build an ADF feeder that would feed that accurate would likely double or triple the price of the product.

[Questor2]

I wonder if I understand the ADF feed process correctly... 

I always thought the ADF process to advance the paper would:

1.) feed the paper, 

2.) stop when the paper is positioned on the flatbed,

3.) the front and/or back of the scan would start and finish,

4.) the paper advance process would complete and restart to be ejected, and then

5.) a new paper sheet would advance to be scanned.

If this is the complete process, then the "mechanical movement of paper" should not have an impact because the mechanical advance of the paper stops until the scan is complete until the paper starts to advance again to be ejected. Therefore, scanning at 300 dpi or 1200 dpi would have no impact on resolution because there is no mechanical vibration while stopped for scanning.  However, scanning at 1200dpi color mode using this method take a lot longer for a color scan to complete, which may be why HP does not enable 1200 dpi scanning through the ADF...

I wonder if the 4301fdw paper advance and scanning front/back process is continually moving and subject to interpolation or mechanical vibration errors that may cause the dpi to be reduced to 300dpi.  If each scan stops the ADF from continuous feeding and scanning on the flatbed, this would likely cause the scanning to be very slow and may cause excess mechanical wear over time with each start/stop attempt.

It would be interesting to see what is the estimated HP consumer market for people who actually need 1200dpi scanning.  I am surprised consumers are happy and want 1200dpi resolution of Smartphone digital photo images, yet older printed photographs are difficult to scan through ADFs and lose photo emulsion colors that change or fade over time.   I seems to me that HP is ignoring a potential market that could expand their product sales by upgrading printer ADFs to include 1200dpi scanning.

Some people may say, "go hire a company that has the equipment needed to ADF scan 1,000 photos at 1200dpi", at an average of 18 cents for each 5x7 in photo ($180 estimated total).  However, most companies that do this type of scanning will only scan at 300dpi.

[Repairatrooper]

If you look to the left of the flat glass you see a narrow strip of glass. When fed through the adf the paper is scanned as it moves through the mechanism. The paper never stops unless the buffer fills from scanning 2 sided or very content dense papers.