Hey Mike,
We met once at an Appogee conference in Boston once along time ago.
We have PrintReady, we are looking at the JPress, they use XMF. I would like to stay with PrintReady for front end, but need a robust solution for "variable" data.
Try turning off the lights in the room when loading the film. If it works then you can order film with white paper in the roll, that will keep the light from hitting the sensors.
What does your configuration consist of? We have two Signastations running on Mac - License server running on a tower running Meta. You have too have license server running.
Heidelberg - Trap Editor - Plug in to Acrobat - excellent application. We also have in rip trapping for trapping in line. Use trap editor for complex/pms/double hits.
You need the CP2000 to be able to receive the data. Right now do you have a card reader in the console? The alternative you are looking for is a P-net card, so you can connect to the net. I would call Heidelberg! You may spend some big $$$$ - but you are getting more than that with the ROI.
Signa Station from Heidelberg will interface to anything, We have two stations. first installed to interface to Compose then switched to Meta Dimension. It does it all.