scanning - files too large!

[Marktm200]

I NEED HELP ON THIS!!

This appears to be the last post on the continuing saga of pdf files.  I have a J4550 AIO and have NOT solved the problem of large file sizes.  Reinstalled old software, downloaded later versions, print from desktop, different options of driver installations, on and on.  Note that I have not purchased 3rd party software - reserving the money for a new printer!

Has anyone solved this problem in a simple fashion.  I am one more  "customer" that is about to switch to another manufacturer because of this ONE BIG problem.

Mark

[arkland]

I have to send scans that have up to 20 pages.  My scanner will only take about 9, is there any way to set it so it will take more pages?

[Joeley]

What model do you have? Are you talking about physical capacity or output file size? How much free hard drive space do you have on your computer? I would think most HP all-in-ones could handle at least 20 pages physically. If it's bogging down or failing because of output file size, then refer to first couple pages of this report for a work-around made available through software downgrade process.

[arkland]

The scanner takes it all, I save the file, then go to MSN attach to email and the client does not get it.  I did see it was going into skyscape, I changed that setting to attachment. It was suppose to give a link but did not.  It may be the email provider not my HP.  Sandy

[Joeley]

Sometimes e-mail limits file attachments to 20-25 Mb. How large is the file? You could either: 1. Scan as multiple files sent separately 2. Try to reduce the PDF size. We've noted that the scanning software that comes with some HPs creates bloated files, that cannot be reduced within the software. If you have Adobe Acrobat and not just Reader, you may be able to get the file size down. There might be free tools, including Bullzip PDF, that will allow you to print a file (in this case a PDF) to a PDF and adjust its size in the process. Change quality to Screen, for instance.

[afauci]

Hi everyone - I started this thread (I think). As perviously mentioned I went out and bought a Cannon MX860 but here is what I did to get me around with both the HP and the Cannon

** the Cannon did produce smaller documents but still originally too large**

** I have a mac so I am not sure this will work with a regular PC**

I scanned my document

I then opened the document in preview

I then saved the document again using a quartz filter I created - see link below

http://www.tuaw.com/2007/12/12/reducing-pdf-file-size-with-a-quartz-filter/

This greatly reduced the size. 

I later have found in the Cannon software that when you save your PDF there is a button to Set - within that there is PDF compression which I set at High. This worked to get my documents small enough to send via email. I even tested this by using my reducing method via the quartz filter and the filter actually made it bigger so Cannon has the solution.

 I am not sure but HP may have this setting. When I called HP about this problem they never mentioned it. On other calls to Cannon (I had about 4 because of software totally crapping out) I always mentioned this problem. Only one Cannon tech knew this answer.

I would look in the HP software to see if they have some kind of PDF compression if not try the quartz filter. It totally worked for me.

FYI even though I found my answer I always check back on this forum because the problem was so frustrating to me (about 2 years worth of frustration) that I am interested in helping people. 

good luck and if you have questions that I can answer just post here and I will try to help even though I am far from being a tech genius

[kvnstnkr]

Is there a solution that works for Officejet pro 8600 Plus? I'm also getting ridiculous file sizes for multiple page docs.

[Joeley]

All I can say is, try the downgrade, it worked for me. (Actually, we got a copier than scans at work, so I quit using altogether.)

Otherwise use a PDF editor like Bullzip or Acrobat Standard, and shrink size there.

[afauci]

Did ou try my two solutions suggested above? It may ork for a PC? I don't remember if the hp software had any types of settings but it may be worth a call to them

[kvnstnkr]

Thanks for your quick replies. Afauci, I don't see how to change settings in the HP software (other than reducing dpi or image quality, which helps but not enough), and I don't think quartz filter is available on pc (at least, I can't find it).

I downloaded a free version of PDFill Tools and started using its scan to pdf option, which is much better in terms of file size but very annoying in terms of additional steps I shouldn't have to take because the product should come with software that is actually useful in the first place.

I did notice that on my 8600, at least, scanning to rtf via OCR, and then just converting that word doc to pdf resulted in very acceptable file sizes. Problem is that in many cases I need an exact reproduction.