I brought PDF x1a files to the demo room at the resellers office so that's likely why I did not see any real difference or improvement in speed or quality? Perhaps the print was a bit sharper. Currently I print most of my work directly from InDesign CS4 to our Xerox DC240 with Bustled EFI Rip. When I print from InDesign I believe that all transparency effects are flattened in the print stream and then ps is spooled to the rip, right?
If we were to upgrade to the newer Xerox 560 with Fiery EX Print Server I'll assume that I would have to export files I want to print to a (???don't know level) of PDF that retain transparency, yes? Then would I have to import the PDF directly to CWS and handle all job parameters at the rip in order to take advantage of Adobe PDF PE? Seems like a long winded workflow to me, at least longer than printing from the Native file to the hold or print que?