Product ReviewsSony DPP-SV55 Digital Photo Thermal Printer

Sony DPP-SV55 Digital Photo Printer

Purchased the DPP-SV55 in August 2001 along with the Sony DSC-S75 digital camera. This is a dye-sublimation (not inkjet) photo printer that delivers excellent prints in one of two sizes: postcard-sized, borderless pictures using 4"x6" photo paper (SVM-25LS) or smaller 3.5"x4" pictures using SVM-30SS photo paper. There are also adhesive-backed photo stickers available in both the 4"x6" and 3.5"x4" sizes (SVM-25LW and SVM-30SW.) The Sony photo paper features their exclusive SuperCoat 2 lamination, affording long-life protection from fading, fingerprints and color shift.

The drawback is that you must use Sony proprietary photo paper which tends to be expensive since the packs contain 25 or 30 sheets, respectively. However, each paper pack comes with a color print cartridge for the DPP-SV55, so at least that's not a separate purchase that you have to make as well. As far as I know, there is no generic equivalent for the paper or print cartridges.

One of the best features of this printer is that a computer is not necessary...you can hook the printer up to your TV using a standard analog video cable (yellow) and let your TV be the "monitor". Simply insert the memory stick from your Sony camera into the printer (or a PC card from another type of digicam) and you can examine and/or edit your photos on your TV prior to printing.

This was a great value when new; you should be able to find a steal of a deal on eBay. Just make sure you can find the paper!Read full review...