Epson only recently released the Photo Stylus R285 for people on low budgets who wanted to produce good quality photos. Now they've released two All-in-Ones - the RX585 and the RX685 - for those with a bit more cash to spare and who want the option to print, copy and scan their documents and images.

The design of this multifunction machine is one of Epson's current favourites, the ‘ship's prow', where the front juts out towards the operator, with a paper tray under the overhang at the bottom (for photo paper) and the output tray just above that.

To the left of the output tray is the cover concealing the memory card slots and even further left is a USB 2.0 port. A standard upright paper holder folds out at the back for non-photographic A4 printing, although it contains a mould for 10 x 15cm photos. An Auto Duplexer which prints double-sided material can be inserted in the back as an optional extra.

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The control panel on the top is dominated by the 6.3cm colour LCD preview display which reveals all the operational menus you'll need. There are three print modes: Copy, Memory Card (which can accept the most popular formats like SD, Compact Flash, xD Picture card and MS Pro) and Speciality Print which will restore faded images, create greetings cards and print stills from video footage.

In addition, you can print pictures on CD/DVD using the handy adapter that slots into the front, or even copy images from DVD to DVD by using the scanner. Operating at a resolution of 1,200 x 2,400dpi, the scanner can send digital images direct to memory card, e-mail, PDF or computer file.

Epson now uses as standard its Claria Hi-Definition, six-colour, dye-based ink which the company claims will last up to 200 years in an album and 98 years in a photo frame. We'll let you know...

Epson claims that premium quality prints with a printing resolution of 5,760 x 1,440dpi can be delivered in 23 seconds, draft photos in approximately 12 seconds and A4 documents at around 40ppm. The photo estimates are broadly accurate but the A4 documents would have to be at the lowest print spec and with about two lines on each to reach even the mid-thirties pages per minute.

There are some intriguing new software advances, including PhotoEnhance which automatically detects images featuring skin tones, landscapes and skylines and allows you to preview any changes when in stand-alone mode. There's also a new night scene mode, plus Auto Photo Orientation which analyses image content then automatically rotates it if it's in the wrong position.

However, for all its strong points - and there are several - this is an incredibly noisy printer. The second it kicks into operation it sounds like a car pile-up in the background and will scare the living daylights out of any unsuspecting secretary or passer-by.

Also, the menus are so detailed that they have to be carefully reset with every new task to make sure you don't end up with sub-standard results; some handy presets could maybe help in future.

A very reasonably priced and versatile multifunction device with several new software features and a welcome DVD printing facility, but spoiled by very loud operating noise at the beginning of each task.