PURPOSE: To provide a recording system in which a set value can be applied from a host system to a printer and a state of the printer can be displayed in the host system.

CONSTITUTION: Set data received from a host system is read from a host I/F unit 103 by a main controller 108, and stored in a memory 1081. Record data received from the host system is developed by a developing unit 107 according to the set data stored in the memory 1081, and recorded by an engine 113. A status of a printer is sent to the host system through the I/F unit 103, and displayed. In order to save power consumption in a thermal fixing type printer, received data amount is monitored, and energization of a fixing unit is controlled in response to it.