Question Questions about Mopria

[kenwood850]

I have reviewed the mopria.org website, including the FAQs, and find there is quite a bit of confusion on my part. Perhaps someone here who is familiar with Mopria can straighten me out by answering these questions.

1. The mopria.org website talks about it being a service and some Canon printer descriptions indicate that an Internet connection is required to use that particular printer. Both of those facts imply Internet might be a requirement, but I could not find anything that actually said Internet is required on the website. As a result my first question is, once you have your printer up and running using Mopria, do you still need an Internet connection, or can you use the printer on an air-gapped private network?

2. The website seems to indicate that Mopria will only work on wireless networks. I am not sure why the medium for the packets, wired Ethernet or Wi-Fi, would make a difference, but assuming that is correct, do both the computer and the printer have to be wireless, or can only the printer be using Wi-Fi?

3. Some Canon printers that indicate they support Mopria have a disclaimer that also indicates that Windows 11 operation is only guaranteed for pre-installed Windows 11. I am making a big assumption here that this disclaimer has something to do with Mopria, If that is the case, are the Dells et al. of the world adding something to Windows 11 that supports Mopria that you do not get with a user installed Windows 11? If so what is it, and can it be added to a white box Windows 11 PC.

Thanks.

 

[Aeacus]

do you still need an Internet connection, or can you use the printer on an air-gapped private network?

Found this:

The Mopria Print Service for Android was released to the Google Play Store in October 2014. It is a plug-in that enables printing from Android devices to Mopria certified printers and MFPs.

A client uses mDNS to automatically discover a printer through the local 802.11 wireless network. The printer must be connected to the network either wirelessly or with an Ethernet cable. Mopria Print Service also supports printer connection through Wi-Fi Direct.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mopria_Alliance

do both the computer and the printer have to be wireless, or can only the printer be using Wi-Fi?

I too have Canon printer, namely Pixma TS8352 and mine is connected to my home 5Ghz wi-fi network.
And for software, i'm using: Canon Easy PhotoPrint Editor,
link: https://www.canon-europe.com/support/consumer_products/software/easy-photoprint-editor.html

So, i don't think that PC has to be connected to wi-fi. E.g my rig is connected to my router via Ethernet cable.
Also, you don't need the printer to be connected to wi-fi either. Printer comes with cable to hook it up directly to the PC.

that Windows 11 operation is only guaranteed for pre-installed Windows 11

Well, if WIn11 isn't installed, how it can operate via Win11?

that you do not get with a user installed Windows 11?

I think you got it mixed up. For it to operate under Win11, it actually needs Win11. Doesn't matter if it is SI or user installed. As long as OS is installed. E.g it isn't preview version, but instead full installation.

 

[kenwood850]

Found this:

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mopria_Alliance

Based on the second paragraph of your source, it would appear that Internet connectivity is not required for actual printing. I guess I will assume the Internet is a requirement for the availability of drivers or other software. Either that or it is their way of indicating that the printer needs to be on a network to work, at least in some cases.

Also based on the second paragraph, I did some research into mDNS, and since I do have a Raspery Pi running Pi-hole, I can try installing avahi on the Pi if printer connectivity cannot be established out of the box.

I too have Canon printer, namely Pixma TS8352 and mine is connected to my home 5Ghz wi-fi network.
And for software, i'm using: Canon Easy PhotoPrint Editor,
link: https://www.canon-europe.com/support/consumer_products/software/easy-photoprint-editor.html

So, i don't think that PC has to be connected to wi-fi. E.g my rig is connected to my router via Ethernet cable.
Also, you don't need the printer to be connected to wi-fi either. Printer comes with cable to hook it up directly to the PC.

Good to know. Your experience is a better indication than anything that the manufacturer or standard might say, and I will certainly look into your software recommendation.

Well, if WIn11 isn't installed, how it can operate via Win11?

Good question, and since the answer is obvious, why make a statement that Windows 11 is required if you are going to use Windows 11?

I think you got it mixed up. For it to operate under Win11, it actually needs Win11. Doesn't matter if it is SI or user installed. As long as OS is installed. E.g it isn't preview version, but instead full installation.

I would think using the term “pre-installed” is a red herring in this instance if that is their intention. The only times I have seen that term used in pre-sales descriptions for any device is to indicate that the manufacturer has installed any needed software so you do not have to after your purchase. I would think if they felt the need to be sure that a beta, preview, or similar version is not going to be used, it would make more sense to use a term similar to “requires a production release of Windows 11.

The bottom line is that it seems the ultimate answer is to order the printer from a source where it can be returned if doesn’t work as they say it will. I was trying to avoid the possibility of a return, but since “the proof is in the pudding”, you first have to buy the pudding.

Thank you very much for replying. I know it took some of your time, particularly since you obviously also did some additional research to find things I missed. Your comments are really appreciated and any appearance of criticism is directed at the source and not you.

 

[Aeacus]

I would think using the term “pre-installed” is a red herring in this instance if that is their intention. The only times I have seen that term used in pre-sales descriptions for any device is to indicate that the manufacturer has installed any needed software so you do not have to after your purchase. I would think if they felt the need to be sure that a beta, preview, or similar version is not going to be used, it would make more sense to use a term similar to “requires a production release of Windows 11.

These ToS, EULA etc often use complex wording and it is difficult to make sense what all that jargon is all about. So, not that big of a surprise. Decrypting that is a good ordeal for normal person.

The bottom line is that it seems the ultimate answer is to order the printer from a source where it can be returned if doesn’t work as they say it will.

The 1st Canon i bought, was actually Pixma TS8252 and i bought it from Canon's official, certified retailer in my country. TS8252 only had 2.4 Ghz wi-fi connection but it worked otherwise fine, until after 28 days of purchase, it just refused to turn on. Just the power button was blinking when i pressed the power button and nothing else.

So, i hauled the TS8252 back to the Canon's partner store and on the spot, they diagnosed the issue and gave me a replacement. This time, then the latest model TS8352, which, besides 2.4 Ghz wi-fi also supports 5 Ghz wi-fi. Since then, my TS8352 has worked beautifully. It has been now 4 years and it still goes strong.
My TS8352 specs: https://www.canon-europe.com/suppor...-series/pixma-ts8352.html?type=specifications

Only beef that i have with Canon, is that they sell several different sizes of ink cartridges. E.g standard, XL and XXL. Printer came with standard ink cartridges, that ran out fast. After that, i've now bought XXL sizes, which do last quite a bit. But 2nd issue is, that they all doesn't get empty in the same time. E.g from the last batch of XXL ink cartridges that i bought (all 6 different), the PGBK i still have a spare, while now, Cyan and Magenta are starting to get empty again.

Then again, it depends on what you print with it. Since mine is also photo printer, up to A4 in size (i've used Pro Luster A4 paper for that, for stunning portraits), it is given that some inks are used more than others.
For everyday photos, to add into photo album, and in size of 10x15cm (which is common photo size in my area), the Photo Paper Plus has been the best option for me. Photos remain nice and vibrant, with small gloss over them.

Oh, if you do end up buying photo printer, do not buy the Glossy Photo Paper "Everyday Use", since the quality is terrible and pictures look very cheap. Way too much gloss isn't good.
Same essentially goes for the Matte Photo Paper as well. Photos are dull, with 0 gloss.

Oh, my TS8352 is 3-in-1: printer, scanner and copy. Have used scan function as well and thus far, i'm pleased with the quality. I can also choose if to scan color or black&white. Haven't used copy function yet, but it doesn't hurt to have that, when needed.

and I will certainly look into your software recommendation.

There are other software that you can use to print from PC. E.g most image viewer software have Print button with them. Same with M$ Word (i use OpenOffice instead). But the dedicated Canon software i have, IMO, has easier to understand functions before printing. I use it to print photos (10x15 or A4), to preview, edit, crop etc the image, before printing them.

Thank you very much for replying. I know it took some of your time, particularly since you obviously also did some additional research to find things I missed.

All in a day's work for me, here in TH forums.