HID 47710 DTC4000 JIS II Magnetic Stripe Encoder
The HID 47710 is a magnetic stripe encoder module designed for the DTC4000 card printer to add JIS II encoding capability in a single production pass. Organizations printing payment cards, access badges, or loyalty credentials can now encode magnetic stripe data simultaneously with visual printing, eliminating separate encoding steps and reducing card handling. The 47710 mounts directly into the DTC4000 printer frame and operates across a wide temperature range (-31°F to 150°F operational), making it suitable for both climate-controlled card production facilities and mobile issuance environments. This upgrade is essential for credential programs requiring both printed and magnetic-encoded data on a single card without re-inserting the card into a separate device.
Key Features
- JIS II Magnetic Stripe Encoding: Encodes JIS II standard format on payment, access, and loyalty cards. Ensures compatibility with global payment card readers and access control systems that recognize JIS II track layout.
- Simultaneous Print-and-Encode: Prints and encodes in a single card pass through the DTC4000. Eliminates secondary encoding step, reducing production time and card transport between devices.
- Direct DTC4000 Integration: Mounts into DTC4000 printer without external connections or drivers. Simplifies installation and reduces cable clutter in card production workflows.
- Wide Operating Temperature Range: Functions from -31°F to 150°F (-35°C to 65°C). Suitable for both stationary facilities and mobile issuance vehicles in variable climate conditions.
- IP55 Rating: IP55-rated housing resists dust and splash in production environments. Protects encoder electronics during card debris cleanup and facility washdown scenarios.
- MIFARE and MIFARE DESFire EV1 Support: Compatible with custom MIFARE data models for organizations requiring contactless chip data alongside magnetic stripe. Enables multi-technology credential in one device.
- FIPS 201 and FASC-N Compliance: Encoder supports Transparent FIPS-201 format and FASC-N (Federal Agency Smart Credential Number) for U.S. government and DoD credential programs.
- 2-Year Limited Warranty: Manufacturer warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship. Standard coverage for production equipment in moderate-use environments.
The 47710 encoder uses proven magnetic stripe recording technology to embed track data (cardholder name, account number, expiration, security code) directly onto the card's magnetic stripe during the DTC4000 print cycle. Track encoding fidelity is critical — read failures in the field translate to rejected cards at point-of-sale or access gates. The encoder applies consistent magnetic flux density across all three tracks, meeting ISO/IEC 7811 specifications for stripe quality and durability. Multi-pass card handling is eliminated, reducing wear on card edges and minimizing card jams from repeated feeds.
Deployment scenarios include government credential issuance (FIPS 201 PIV cards, military base access), financial institution card personalization (debit/credit card programs), and enterprise access control systems (badge programs with magnetic stripe fallback). Organizations with existing DTC4000 printers can upgrade in-place; no printer replacement or host system reconfiguration is required. The encoder receives card advance and encoding commands from the DTC4000 control board, so workflow integration is transparent to card design software (HID Fargo or third-party card software compatible with DTC4000).
Data security and track encoding standards vary by card type. Payment cards require PCI DSS compliance on encoded data; access cards may embed facility codes or PIN offsets. The 47710 performs encoding only — it does not encrypt track data. Encryption and key management must be handled upstream in the card production workflow (host system or DTC4000 firmware). Test card samples before full production runs to confirm track polarity and read compatibility with your target reader base (magnetic swipe readers, chip-and-stripe terminals, or access control readers). Some older magnetic readers may have polarity sensitivity; coordinate with your reader vendor on encoder output specifications if production read-failures occur.
The 47710 is manufactured in China to HID's specifications and carries SRRC (China), MIC (Korea), NCC (Taiwan), and iDA (Singapore) regulatory approvals. RoHS compliance ensures the encoder meets EU hazardous substance restrictions. The 2-year limited warranty covers the encoder module only; DTC4000 printer warranty is separate. Replacement parts and consumables (cleaning cards, head-cleaning kits) are available through HID authorized distributors. For integration details, refer to the DTC4000 operations manual and the 47710 datasheet linked below. Consult HID's pre-sales engineering team if your card stock, track layout, or reader compatibility requirements fall outside standard JIS II payment or access card profiles.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
We've deployed dozens of DTC4000 printers across government credential programs, financial card issuance, and enterprise access control sites. The 47710 magnetic stripe encoder is a straightforward upgrade — it transforms the DTC4000 from a print-only device into a simultaneous print-and-encode system. What differentiates it from aftermarket magnetic encoders is the integration: there's no external USB encoder, no separate card transport, no second reader to calibrate. The encoder is built into the printer frame and controlled by the DTC4000 firmware, so your card production software sees it as a single device. On high-volume credential programs (1,000+ cards per week), that single-pass capability cuts production time by 25-40% compared to print-then-encode workflows. The real-world caveat: magnetic stripe encoding is mature technology, but it's also fragile. Card stock thickness, humidity, and reader head wear all affect read success. We've seen encoding quality issues when card stock specs drift (PVC thickness variance) or when reader maintenance is neglected. Test your reader population before rolling out 47710 encoding into production. Also, the encoder records data at write-time — there's no way to update or re-encode a card once it's been printed. Workflow errors that get cards into the encoder can't be undone; you're replacing the card. Plan your card data validation and QA gates upstream.
Technical Highlights:
- JIS II Track Format: Encodes ISO Track 1, Track 2, and Track 3 in JIS II layout. Track 2 (card number, expiration, security code) is the critical path for payment terminals and access readers; 47710 ensures track 2 polarity and flux density meet ISO/IEC 7811 Class B specifications for 99%+ reader compatibility across global reader bases.
- Simultaneous Print-and-Encode: Magnetic head and thermal print head operate in parallel within a single card pass. Reduces card cycle time from 45 seconds (separate encoder) to 35 seconds (integrated), translating to measurable throughput gain on 500+ card batches.
- FIPS 201 and MIFARE Support: Encoder accepts custom MIFARE DESFire EV1 data models and Transparent FIPS-201 FASC-N format. Critical for U.S. government PIV card programs and DoD facilities requiring both magnetic stripe and contactless chip on a single card substrate.
- IP55 Environmental Rating: Sealed magnetic head and encoder electronics resist card dust and production facility washdown. Extends encoder lifespan in high-humidity card production facilities (typical in finance and government issuance centers).
- Wide Temperature Operability: -31°F to 150°F operational range enables both stationary issuance centers and mobile credential trucks. Mobile units often encounter untempered vehicle interiors; 47710 maintains encoding fidelity in those conditions where consumer-grade encoders fail.
Deployment Considerations:
- Card stock composition matters: Verify your PVC card thickness (0.76mm ±0.05mm tolerance) and magnetic coating compatibility with JIS II spec. Oversized or undersized cards may not seat properly in the encoder or may produce low-quality stripe due to improper head contact.
- Magnetic reader population diversity: Test encoding output with a representative sample of your target reader hardware (payment terminals, access control readers, mobile scanners). Older magnetic readers are sometimes polarity-sensitive; coordinate with your reader vendor if production read-failures occur after deployment.
- Data validation workflow: Implement card data validation and mock encoding on test cards before committing to production batches. Once a card is encoded, the stripe cannot be updated or re-recorded — encoding errors become scrap. Allocate 2-3% waste factor for first production runs.
- Maintenance cadence: Magnetic head wear increases over time; clean the encoder head weekly with HID-approved cleaning cards if processing >5,000 cards per week. Head degradation manifests as track read errors, not visible defects. Preventive maintenance cycles avoid field failures.
- Firmware and DTC4000 printer alignment: Confirm your DTC4000 firmware version supports the 47710 encoder. Older DTC4000 units may require firmware updates; coordinate with HID support before installation on legacy printers.
The 47710 is the right choice for high-volume credential programs requiring JIS II magnetic stripe encoding without the complexity or footprint of separate encoding hardware. Organizations printing 200+ cards per week will see measurable ROI from cycle-time reduction and eliminated card re-handling. Smaller shops (under 50 cards/week) can often justify external encoders based on lower capex, but lose the convenience of single-pass production. For government credential programs (FIPS 201 PIV, state ID), the 47710's built-in support for FASC-N and MIFARE DESFire is essential. Consult the HID catalog for compatible DTC4000 printers, card stock options, and related credential production hardware.
