The e-ink "flash"

kyteflyer · 11-29-2012, 12:24 AM

I have a Sony PRS-650, and whilst its clearly an excellent reader, I find the "flash" as the screen refreshes for each page really intensely annoying. Perhaps I am too used to backlit screens which are constantly refreshing, I just dont know. However, I hear that the tech has improved now to the point where the flash is barely noticeable.

So, which readers have the best experience now, in terms of flash?

owly · 11-29-2012, 02:55 AM

Most new e-bookreaders now have partial refresh which means you only get the black flash every 6 pages or so (often the amount can be adjusted).

Joy736 · 11-29-2012, 03:21 AM

The Sony Prst2 never has a flash. And that's ofcourse very nice to have.

HarryT · 11-29-2012, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joy736

The Sony Prst2 never has a flash. And that's ofcourse very nice to have.

I believe you're mistaken about that. Every eInk reader exhibits the black "flash" - the PRS-T2 included. Perhaps you simply don't notice it? For 99% of people, after using an eInk reader for a few hours, your brain simply "filters out" the flash so you aren't consciously aware of it any more. It's rare for someone to be bothered by it.

Joy736 · 11-29-2012, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I believe you're mistaken about that. Every eInk reader exhibits the black "flash" - the PRS-T2 included. Perhaps you simply don't notice it? For 99% of people, after using an eInk reader for a few hours, your brain simply "filters out" the flash so you aren't consciously aware of it any more. It's rare for someone to be bothered by it.

And I think you're right.

Sorry about that. I just did my best to notice the flash and I have to admit it's there. Not as noticeable as on some other current readers, according some video's I've seen online. I believe Sony uses a different technic witch gives is the least noticeable flash. Correct me if I'm wrong please.

HarryT · 11-29-2012, 05:10 AM

It's much less noticeable on any of the modern readers than the older ones. On the Kindle Paperwhite, for example, it's much less noticeable than on the older Kindle Keyboard.

Shopaholic · 11-29-2012, 02:08 PM

The flash on the T2 is no different than the T1. It's there & it's noticeable. I looked at it in the store when it first came out & it was no different. It's just as noticeable.

kyteflyer · 11-29-2012, 02:54 PM

I guess I'll just have to go play with some readers and see which seem best or better than what I have. If none seem any different, I'll stick with the PRS-650.

@Harry: I think you might be right about filtering the flash out... the more I use it the less I notice it. Its just that when I first bought it, a few pages in, I was ticked off enough to put it away and wonder why I bothered. I'll persist.

twowheels · 11-29-2012, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

It's much less noticeable on any of the modern readers than the older ones. On the Kindle Paperwhite, for example, it's much less noticeable than on the older Kindle Keyboard.

And the Paperwhite exhibits more ghosting than the K3 ever did, even with every screen refresh set. I wish it'd do a more thorough refresh.

David Munch · 11-29-2012, 04:59 PM

Speaking of; why exactly do they have to flash regularly?

pdurrant · 11-29-2012, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Munch

Speaking of; why exactly do they have to flash regularly?

It's because the eInk screen has a bit too much memory. It's hard to completely clear the previous image from the screen.

JSWolf · 11-29-2012, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyteflyer

I guess I'll just have to go play with some readers and see which seem best or better than what I have. If none seem any different, I'll stick with the PRS-650.

If you can find a PRS-T1, you can install the modified reader app and set how many page turns before the flash. That is customizable and works rather well.

WillysJeepMan · 11-29-2012, 07:20 PM

My Aluratek Libre Pro (same as the Ectaco JetBook) uses a non-illuminated monochrome LCD screen. All of the same crisp and clear text in sunlight without the flash.

JD Gumby · 11-29-2012, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillysJeepMan

My Aluratek Libre Pro (same as the Ectaco JetBook) uses a non-illuminated monochrome LCD screen. All of the same crisp and clear text in sunlight without the flash.

Yeah, but it's like reading on a calculator screen (a good quality one, anyways, not the $5 calculator you'd get your kid for school :P).

twowheels · 11-29-2012, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillysJeepMan

My Aluratek Libre Pro (same as the Ectaco JetBook) uses a non-illuminated monochrome LCD screen. All of the same crisp and clear text in sunlight without the flash.

...or the battery life.

11-29-2012, 12:24 AM	#1
kyteflyer Guru Posts: 772 Karma: 1783940 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Newcastle, Australia Device: iPhone, iPad3, PRS-650, Kobo Glo	The e-ink "flash" I have a Sony PRS-650, and whilst its clearly an excellent reader, I find the "flash" as the screen refreshes for each page really intensely annoying. Perhaps I am too used to backlit screens which are constantly refreshing, I just dont know. However, I hear that the tech has improved now to the point where the flash is barely noticeable. So, which readers have the best experience now, in terms of flash? __________________ Dropbox is brilliant. Your stuff, when and where you want it, and if you need more space than Dropbox provides, Sugarsync will do it for you: start with 5GB and earn up to 32GB... all FREE.

11-29-2012, 02:55 AM	#2
owly Evangelist Posts: 413 Karma: 2557518 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sweden Device: Kobo Glo, Kobo Aura	Most new e-bookreaders now have partial refresh which means you only get the black flash every 6 pages or so (often the amount can be adjusted). __________________ Annas E-bokhylla - Gratis e-böcker på svenska, i epubformat.

11-29-2012, 03:21 AM	#3
Joy736 Addict Posts: 305 Karma: 1078442 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Netherlands Device: Kindle Paperwhite	The Sony Prst2 never has a flash. And that's ofcourse very nice to have. __________________ Currently reading: The Bronze Horseman by Paulina Simons http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13623150

11-29-2012, 05:10 AM	#6
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 55,162 Karma: 27556397 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Touch, PW, Fire HD, iPad 3, iPhone 4, Samsung Tab 2 7 + More	It's much less noticeable on any of the modern readers than the older ones. On the Kindle Paperwhite, for example, it's much less noticeable than on the older Kindle Keyboard. __________________ Harry Currently proofreading The Poison Belt, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

11-29-2012, 02:08 PM	#7
Shopaholic Cockatoo Mom! Posts: 1,197 Karma: 1334659 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: Sony 300, 350 Pink & Silver (sold), Black & Red T1, K4NT (sold), KPW	The flash on the T2 is no different than the T1. It's there & it's noticeable. I looked at it in the store when it first came out & it was no different. It's just as noticeable. __________________ My Shelf

11-29-2012, 02:54 PM	#8
kyteflyer Guru Posts: 772 Karma: 1783940 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Newcastle, Australia Device: iPhone, iPad3, PRS-650, Kobo Glo	I guess I'll just have to go play with some readers and see which seem best or better than what I have. If none seem any different, I'll stick with the PRS-650. @Harry: I think you might be right about filtering the flash out... the more I use it the less I notice it. Its just that when I first bought it, a few pages in, I was ticked off enough to put it away and wonder why I bothered. I'll persist. __________________ Dropbox is brilliant. Your stuff, when and where you want it, and if you need more space than Dropbox provides, Sugarsync will do it for you: start with 5GB and earn up to 32GB... all FREE.

11-29-2012, 04:59 PM	#10
David Munch Scholar Posts: 686 Karma: 3101550 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Denmark Device: iPad 2	Speaking of; why exactly do they have to flash regularly?

11-29-2012, 07:20 PM	#13
WillysJeepMan Evangelist Posts: 476 Karma: 2660066 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Aluratek Libre Pro, Kobo Touch, Kindle Fire HD, GTab 2 7.0	My Aluratek Libre Pro (same as the Ectaco JetBook) uses a non-illuminated monochrome LCD screen. All of the same crisp and clear text in sunlight without the flash.

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