Home → Kurzweil 3000 (K3000) → Scanner Troubleshooting & Information → General Information: Kurzweil Scanner Compatibility and Information (Win/Mac)
4.1. General Information: Kurzweil Scanner Compatibility and Information (Win/Mac)
Updated: July 2023
Supported Scanners
Traditional Devices
(Kurzweil 1000/3000 for Windows)
Canon Lide 400 (Flatbed, USB)
HP ScanJet Pro 3500 F1 (ADF, Flatbed, USB, Network)
Canon PIXMA TR7020a (ADF, Flatbed, USB, Print, Copy)
Epson DS-1630 (ADF, Flatbed, USB)
(Kurzweil 3000 for Mac)
Canon Lide 400 (Flatbed, USB)
HP ScanJet Pro 3500 F1 (ADF, Flatbed, USB, Network)
Legacy Scanners
Legacy devices are previously supported devices that are no longer available for retail purchase.
Legacy Traditional Scanners
(Kurzweil 1000/3000 for Windows/Mac)
Canon ImageFORMULA DR-F120 (ADF, Flatbed,USB)
HP Scanjet Pro 2500 F1 (ADF, Flatbed,USB)
Legacy Document Cameras
(Kurzweil 1000/3000 for Windows)
Hovercam T5, Solo 8 (Not 8 Plus/Ultra)
(Kurzweil 3000 for Windows)
Kodak Sceye
Note: If you are using a Kurzweil 1000 or a Professional version of Kurzweil 3000, you can scan images directly into Kurzweil. For this, you will need to use a scanner that is compatible with your version of Kurzweil. To determine if your scanner is compatible see the above list or continue reading below.
Note: If you already have a working scanner and want to test its compatibility outside of our supported list (see above), the easiest way is to sign up for a free Trial Edition of Kurzweil for testing purposes.
Note: If your scanner is not compatible with Kurzweil, you can always scan in images as PDF or another supported image type using your scanner's bundled software or Windows/Mac built-in scanning software and then opening those image(s) inside Kurzweil 1000 or Kurzweil 3000 for automatic conversion to a Kurzweil file type.
Note: Before attempting troubleshooting, it is good practice to make sure you have the latest update/patch for Kurzweil 3000. Click here for more details.
Kurzweil 3000 for Windows
Kurzweil 3000 for Windows is designed to work with scanners that use a TWAIN driver for your Windows operating system. For example, if Windows 10 is your operating system and you want to use a scanner that is compatible with Kurzweil 3000, then you will need a scanner that uses a TWAIN driver made for Windows 10.
The vast majority of scanners use TWAIN drivers, but to ensure compatibility with Kurzweil and your operating system you should always check with the manufacturer first. To ensure performance, we also recommend the use of standalone scanners and not printer-fax combination devices.
Kurzweil 1000
Kurzweil 1000 has identical compatibility requirements as Kurzweil 3000 for Windows.
Kurzweil 3000 for Macintosh
Kurzweil 3000 for Macintosh is designed to work with scanners that interface with Mac OS X's built-in Image Capture application using Image Capture drivers. We highly recommend using one of our supported scanners if scanning directly into Kurzweil on a Mac.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What are the advantages of scanning directly into Kurzweil?
If a user has difficulty using a computer, scanning with a separate program and then opening the image file into Kurzweil for conversion can be quite a difficult process. For such a user, it is helpful to give them the ability to scan pages from the scanner directly into Kurzweil as a .kes file by simply clicking a prominent button on the Kurzweil menu.
From a technical perspective, images scanned directly into Kurzweil may benefit from Kurzweil's scanning capabilities (deskew, auto-alignment, etc.). Some scanner software may not have Kurzweil's scanning capabilities.
In environments where individual users are not responsible for scanning their own materials, the logistical and administrative advantages of scanning directly into Kurzweil are not as significant. Scanning as a .pdf file first may provide a handy source file, as a .pdf scan of a book or document could potentially have many uses outside of Kurzweil.
If I buy a scanner that is not on the supported list but meets the requirements will it work?
Even if a scanner has a TWAIN or Image Capture that does not 100% guarantee it will work, which is why we recommend using one of our supported scanners if possible.
There's a scanner I want to purchase but it does not meet compatibility requirements. Will it work with Kurzweil 3000?
If a scanner does not have a TWAIN series driver for Windows, you will not be able to scan directly into Kurzweil.
If a scanner does not have an Image Capture driver for Mac, you will not be able to scan directly into Kurzweil.
Please refer to our supported scanners list at the top of this article and use a supported scanner if possible.
My scanner meets the compatibility requirements, but when scanning into Kurzweil it malfunctions. What can I do?
1. Your scanner will not work inside of Kurzweil if it's not properly installed or functioning with your computer's operating system. Verify that the scanner works in Windows or Mac by using your scanner software or the Operating System scanning utility. I.E. if you're using a Macintosh, verify that you can scan using your Macintosh's built-in Image Capture application for testing. If your scanner is malfunctioning outside of Kurzweil, try rebooting your computer first and trying again. If the issues persist after a reboot outside of Kurzweil when scanning, please contact your scanner manufacturer for technical support.
2. If possible, download and install the latest software/drivers for your scanner from their manufacturer's website. Updating or reinstalling your scanner drivers will often fix scanning problems.
3. If your scanner is only malfunctioning within Kurzweil, please contact our technical support department. We may be able to modify settings for the TWAIN driver, improving how it interfaces with Kurzweil. Although this troubleshooting process usually results in success, it is not 100% guaranteed to work. If you wish to troubleshoot on your own, this section on our KB may be helpful.
Always update Kurzweil before you attempt troubleshooting
Before you attempt any troubleshooting steps or contact us for technical support, it's always a good idea to make sure your version of Kurzweil 3000 is updated. A troubleshooting solution may not work if you're using an outdated version. Often you may find that simply updating Kurzweil (i.e. patching) will automatically fix your problem.
The most simple way to update Kurzweil is through its built-in updater: on the Kurzweil 3000 menu click Online -> Updates... and follow the prompts to download and install the latest update (i.e. patch) found by the auto-search.
For further details on how to update your version of Kurzweil, please follow this link: Download and install the latest Kurzweil 3000 patch
Do we recommend a high-end scanner for use with Kurzweil 3000 to perform large-scale document production scanning?
If you're interested in large-scale document production scanning, it's recommended to purchase a high-end scanner and use the scanner's bundled software to scan as a multi-page .pdf or .tif file.
After scanning as a multi-page .pdf or .tif, open that file directly into K3000 to convert it into Kurzweil 3000 file.
Another idea is taking your physical content to a facility that provides scanning of documents etc. into PDF form for a small fee.