Although this page describes a few possible ideas for connecting a Macintosh System to a Rena printer, at this time we have no proven method of communicating with current Macintosh Systems. Please use this information at your discretion. We would appreciate any feedback you can provide us, regarding the procedures mentioned on this page.

MAC Printer Drivers: 
At this time, there are no Macintosh printer drivers available for any of our Rena  printer models, except for the DA595 which may be able to use the HP 890C driver. As a possible alternative, you may want to try the "HP DeskJet 500 Driver", "LaserJet 5si Driver", or "Generic Text Only Driver" for MAC. 

For the Rena DA-595 color printer, go to the www.HP.com and download the Mac OS driver for the 890C printer.  This may aid in compatibility issues.

NOTE: There has been talk about the newer PowerMac and I MAC PC’s being able to run Windows 95/98 software and use Windows 95/98 printer drivers. If this is true, you may want to consider using a Windows 95/98 software package and loading the appropriate Windows 95 Rena Printer Driver. We have not been able to verify that this type of approach will or will not work. If you have any information regarding this matter, we would appreciate hearing from you. Please e-mail details regarding this matter to support@renausa.com.

Using the HP LaserJet^® 5si Driver for MAC with a Rena DA608/610/612 ¹/613 ²/615 printer.

IMPORTANT:  The theory of being able to use a LaserJet^® 5si Driver on a MAC system has not been verified. This is an educated guess based on our experiences using this driver from other Windows operating systems.  If you have the opportunity to test this theory, we would appreciate hearing from you. Please e-mail any details regarding this matter to support@renausa.com.

Click here for list of known incompatibilities with Rena printer "internal fonts" when using the HP LaserJet 5si driver.

Recent Flashware versions, see chart below, for the Rena DA608/610, DA612 ¹/613 ²/615 printer models have been designed to be compatible with the HP LaserJet 5si driver. When using the HP LaserJet 5si driver, most TT fonts are automatically downloaded into printer memory, making it possible to print using just about any font you have loaded on your computer.

1. Add the HP LaserJet^® 5si printer driver from your computer.

2. Select the HP LaserJet^® 5si Printer Driver from your software.

HP LaserJet^® 5si driver settings:

• When sending graphic images, or text as graphics, you may want to change the resolution from 600dpi to 300dpi, to reduce the amount of information that needs to be sent to the printer. A graphic image with a resolution of 300dpi will be transmitted to the printer in less time than if it was set to 600dpi. This in-turn equates to less information for the printer to process and in most cases, higher throughput (more pieces per hour). On the other hand, a graphic sent at 600dpi will produce a "sharper" image.

• All other driver settings should be left at their default settings.

Rena Printer Model	Minimum Flashware Version needed for HP LaserJet 5si & HP DeskJet 500 driver compatibility.
DA608	V6.0 or higher
DA610	V6.30 or higher
DA612 (Envelope Imager I)	V5.20 or higher
DA613 (Envelope Imager II)	V5.30 or higher
DA615	V5.0 or higher

How to check your printer's Flashware version:

1. Take the printer off-line.

2. Press the "prog" (program) button once.

3. Press the "prev" (previous) button, a few time, until the display shows: "SERVICE:            Rev."

4. Press the "enter" button twice. The printer will display the Flashware version that is currently installed. Example:"V5.20" 

Please contact your local Rena dealer to obtain the most recent Flashware for your DA608/610/612 ¹/613 ²/615 printer. There may be additional costs involved in purchasing and installing Rena Flashware into your printer.

CABLING: (Physically connecting a MAC to a Rena)

Older Macintosh computers:
Serial Port Connection: 
Older MAC computers were equipped with serial ports (modem port) which could be connected directly to a Rena printer's serial port (if equipped) via a custom serial cable. Serial cable configurations (pin-outs) can be obtained from your local Rena Dealer. 

NOTE: Not all Rena Printer models have a serial interface port. 
The following Rena printers have both serial and parallel interface ports: 
DA600, DA606 (old), DA610 (new), DA608 & DA615

The following Rena printers only have parallel interface ports: 
DA590/607/610, DA612/613 (Envelope Imager I/II). 

Parallel Port Connection: 
(Through the Use of a Serial to Parallel Converter)
A serial to parallel port converter could be used to connected the serial port of a MAC to a Rena printer's parallel port. Serial to parallel converters are available from many computer stores and mail order catalogs.

In past years, we recommend the use of the GDT Softworks PowerPrint Cable (V3.82 or older) to connect the modem port of a MAC to the parallel port of a Rena printer, but this cable is no longer in production.

NOTE: The V3.82 cable is no longer in production. Newer version cables are not compatible with the Satori Bulk Mailer Program, at this time. We suggest trying to locate and purchasing an older version cable (V3.82 or lower). Some retailers, (CompUSA, MicroCenter, ComputerWare, etc..) may still have these cables available. Cable cost is about $100.00.

Setup Procedure for Older Macintosh Computers: (Making use of the Power Print Cable, V3.82 or older, and Satori Bulk Mailer)

• Do not load the software provided with the PowerPrint cable. You will only be using the cable to do serial to parallel conversion, not graphic conversion.
• The PowerPrint cable must be connected to the modem port of your Macintosh computer.
• Choose the ImageWriter printer from your Macintosh’s “Chooser” Menu.
• Choose the Rena Printer from the Satori Bulk Mailer program.
• Turn ON the Rena Printer’s Hex to ASCII (Hex-ASCII) feature. This feature can be found in the Rena Printer’s programming mode.
  

NOTE: Please be aware that this arrangement will only allow you to print Text Only data to the Rena Printer. You will not be able to use your Macintosh computer and software to print graphic information. You will need to select fonts, print quality, etc from the Rena Printer.

Newer Macintosh Computers (I MACs):
Newer Macintosh computers (I MACs) only have USB ports available. Since Rena printers do not have USB ports in them, this adds another obstacle to making this interface successful. There is a new version of the Power print cable that is made to connect a Macintosh’s USB port to a parallel printer. Unfortunately this cable will only work when used in conjunction with the Power Print software, supplied with the cable. In order for the Power Print Software to work properly, it requires the use of a Rena printer driver for the Macintosh. Since we do not have Rena Printer Drivers for the Macintosh this cable will not work with our printers. In addition, the current version of Satori’s Bulk Mailer program will not support the use of the new USB Power Print cable. So, at this time, we have not found a solution for connecting the USB port of a Macintosh to a Rena printer. However, it may be possible, using a USB to parallel converter (not the USB Power Print Cable) to make this interface work. The only suggestion we can make at this time is to give it a try, using a USB to parallel converter. These converters may be readily available at your local computer store or “computer warehouse”.

GDT Softworks is now Infowave.
For more information about the PowerPrint Cable point your web browser to:
http://www.infowave.com/powerprint/PowerPrint_intro.htm
or call 1-800-663-6222 or 1- 604-473-3600.

¹ DA612 = Envelope Imager I
² DA613 = Envelope Imager II
³ Although there may be a matching choice, within your Windows program, for the
  internal Rena printer font "Bru12", this font will not work within Windows NT^® and
  should not be chosen.

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