PRS-900 Fading in the sun

vxf · 07-07-2010, 06:08 PM

The screen on my PRS900 fades in the sun. After reading a bit about the issue on these forums and around, I decided to call SONY. They agreed to replace the unit.

But I am in Italy now - until September - so shipping is kind of problematic - or, at least, not free. So they agreed on replacing my unit in September, when I get back home to the States.

So now I get to treat my device with utter disrespect - no worries about sand, scratches, sun lotion on it - I am getting a new one in September.

Yet, no reading under direct sunlight either.

Anyhow... I just figured I'd share...

Penforhire · 07-08-2010, 04:38 PM

Call it your vampire diary.

SameerH · 07-08-2010, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vxf

The screen on my PRS900 fades in the sun. After reading a bit about the issue on these forums and around, I decided to call SONY. They agreed to replace the unit.

But I am in Italy now - until September - so shipping is kind of problematic - or, at least, not free. So they agreed on replacing my unit in September, when I get back home to the States.

So now I get to treat my device with utter disrespect - no worries about sand, scratches, sun lotion on it - I am getting a new one in September.

Yet, no reading under direct sunlight either.

Anyhow... I just figured I'd share...

A lot of e-ink screens have this issue. At Kobo we weed these out by shining a really bright light (I believe it's 20,000 lumens..?) on the screen before it joins the board assembly.

Interesting story, in the early days we couldn't figure out for the longest time why the sun-fading was happening. We tried ultraviolet light and I personally even tried to heat the screen with a lighter to see if that was the problem lol. Finally found the issue.

Sometimes however, a screen or two will slip through the cracks (although we have not had a return yet for that reason that I know of).

bugeyed · 07-08-2010, 07:16 PM

Thanks for your input SameerH. I am curious about the cause. Was wondering if the xerographic principle was involved here, the principle that a sufficiently bright light will dissipate a static charge on a surface?
Just wondering.
Cheers,
kev

vxf · 07-10-2010, 07:23 PM

I tried replicating the problems with my reader with strong lights, but couldn't. I don't know if heat has something to do with it, or UVs. That's why I do finance - my engineering skills are very poor.

But I did notice that, if I shine a strong light on it, the touchscreen becomes very unresponsive - which is especially noticeable if you try writing on the screen.

JakesFriend · 07-19-2010, 10:52 AM

Speaking of glare, I had hopes my polarized sunglasses (prescription) would help with my PRS900, but that doesn't seem to be the case. On my next visit to the eye doctor I'm going to see if he has any suggestions.

rblover69 · 07-20-2010, 11:49 AM

the fade i notice is not a permanent thing as it returns to its sharpness after a while of use out side on the 900. I believe heat is the main culprit here but i could be wrong. All in all its not a serious issue and still far ahead of LCD use outdoors.

jj2me · 07-20-2010, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rblover69

I believe heat is the main culprit here but i could be wrong.

Ditto (including the "I could be wrong.").

Two recent experiences (I've read outdoors in the shade before and never experienced fade):

Sony PRS-505 reading in direct sunlight (I was testing for the fade) for about 10 minutes. Ambient temp about 75 deg. F. No fade.
Same Reader, first sat for twenty minutes in direct sun in a black case. Ambient temp about 95 deg. F. Metal parts of Reader were hot to the touch from sitting in the case. Definite fade.

Edit:

Further testing of my dark blue PRS-505. Ambient temperature today: 100 in the shade.

Read in the shade for about 2 hours, unit didn't feel hot. No fade.
Placed 505 in the sun for 10 minutes, unit felt hot. Infrared thermometer read over 135 deg. F on the dark blue back, and over 130 on the screen. Fade showed as soon as I turned the page.
Fade disappeared by the time the screen temp had fallen to 115.

So IMHO, I don't think I have a "fader." The fading occurs when the unit feels to be far too hot to the touch for an electronic device to be expected to perform correctly.

SneakySnake · 08-18-2010, 03:19 AM

Mine hasn't got a problem with temperature. It just doesn't refresh properly if direct sunlight is on the screen.

Should I get a new one before it runs out of warranty? It is not a big problem at the moment because no issue in the shade only direct sunlight, but what if it get worse? I am worried that it will become an issue after 12 months are up.

BobVA · 08-18-2010, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SneakySnake

... I am worried that it will become an issue after 12 months are up.

My US purchased 900 only had a 90 day labor warranty. The parts warranty is 12 months. May or not apply down under, but just in case.

Cheers,
Bob

db100 · 08-19-2010, 10:47 PM

Fading is the maojor problem of the recent batch of eink screen. Both Kindle and Reader have this problem. The actual reason is the light (probably UV light) causes the charges to be discharged. That means, screen is defective.

Send back to store (if still within 30 day return period) or SONY, they can either replace or repair it for you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jj2me

Ditto (including the "I could be wrong.").

Two recent experiences (I've read outdoors in the shade before and never experienced fade):

Sony PRS-505 reading in direct sunlight (I was testing for the fade) for about 10 minutes. Ambient temp about 75 deg. F. No fade.
Same Reader, first sat for twenty minutes in direct sun in a black case. Ambient temp about 95 deg. F. Metal parts of Reader were hot to the touch from sitting in the case. Definite fade.

Edit:

Further testing of my dark blue PRS-505. Ambient temperature today: 100 in the shade.

Read in the shade for about 2 hours, unit didn't feel hot. No fade.
Placed 505 in the sun for 10 minutes, unit felt hot. Infrared thermometer read over 135 deg. F on the dark blue back, and over 130 on the screen. Fade showed as soon as I turned the page.
Fade disappeared by the time the screen temp had fallen to 115.

So IMHO, I don't think I have a "fader." The fading occurs when the unit feels to be far too hot to the touch for an electronic device to be expected to perform correctly.

jj2me · 08-21-2010, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by db100

... The actual reason is the light (probably UV light) causes the charges to be discharged. That means, screen is defective.

Send back to store (if still within 30 day return period) or SONY, they can either replace or repair it for you.

Thanks much for this info as to the actual reason. So despite the 135 deg. operating temps, seems I have a fader. Will take your advice and return under my extended warranty from Sony.

luqmaninbmore · 08-21-2010, 01:07 PM

135 degrees is way out of spec for the reader. The fact that the screen faded under those conditions means nothing. I've had to deal with readers that have the fade problem and they would fade based on exposure to direct sunlight, not based on temperature. I had one that would fade considerably on an overcast day, cool day as long as it was exposed to the open sky.

JSWolf · 08-21-2010, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SneakySnake

Mine hasn't got a problem with temperature. It just doesn't refresh properly if direct sunlight is on the screen.

Should I get a new one before it runs out of warranty? It is not a big problem at the moment because no issue in the shade only direct sunlight, but what if it get worse? I am worried that it will become an issue after 12 months are up.

What you have is a defective screen. yes, you should get it replaced before the warranty runs out. The screen of the 900 is not supposed to fade in direct sunlight. So go back to were you got it and see if you can get it swapped and if not, give Sony a call and get them to sort it out for you.

Vizplex screens are not supposed to fade when properly working.

JSWolf · 08-21-2010, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SameerH

A lot of e-ink screens have this issue. At Kobo we weed these out by shining a really bright light (I believe it's 20,000 lumens..?) on the screen before it joins the board assembly.

Interesting story, in the early days we couldn't figure out for the longest time why the sun-fading was happening. We tried ultraviolet light and I personally even tried to heat the screen with a lighter to see if that was the problem lol. Finally found the issue.

Sometimes however, a screen or two will slip through the cracks (although we have not had a return yet for that reason that I know of).

Where the fading screens all made by LG?

07-07-2010, 06:08 PM	#1
vxf Guru Posts: 876 Karma: 1397724 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Norman, OK Device: Sony PRS 350, 900, 950; iPad3, iPad Mini; Kindle Touch, Paperwhite	Fading in the sun The screen on my PRS900 fades in the sun. After reading a bit about the issue on these forums and around, I decided to call SONY. They agreed to replace the unit. But I am in Italy now - until September - so shipping is kind of problematic - or, at least, not free. So they agreed on replacing my unit in September, when I get back home to the States. So now I get to treat my device with utter disrespect - no worries about sand, scratches, sun lotion on it - I am getting a new one in September. Yet, no reading under direct sunlight either. Anyhow... I just figured I'd share...

08-18-2010, 03:19 AM	#9
SneakySnake I'm watching you! Posts: 6,112 Karma: 22082196 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sunny Coast Qld, OZ Device: Sony PRS-900	Mine hasn't got a problem with temperature. It just doesn't refresh properly if direct sunlight is on the screen. Should I get a new one before it runs out of warranty? It is not a big problem at the moment because no issue in the shade only direct sunlight, but what if it get worse? I am worried that it will become an issue after 12 months are up. __________________ At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Proverbs 23:32 Currently reading "Game of Thrones" by George RR Martin. So lack of sleep means I am now in book 4, and more stuff has happened and some of the stuff from book three maybe didn't happen????

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07-08-2010, 04:38 PM	#2
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 1,841 Karma: 5514220 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle PW, PRS-650, iPhone 4, iPad 4	Call it your vampire diary.

07-08-2010, 07:16 PM	#4
bugeyed Connoisseur Posts: 64 Karma: 30 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Kobo 2, PRS-600	Thanks for your input SameerH. I am curious about the cause. Was wondering if the xerographic principle was involved here, the principle that a sufficiently bright light will dissipate a static charge on a surface? Just wondering. Cheers, kev

07-10-2010, 07:23 PM	#5
vxf Guru Posts: 876 Karma: 1397724 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Norman, OK Device: Sony PRS 350, 900, 950; iPad3, iPad Mini; Kindle Touch, Paperwhite	I tried replicating the problems with my reader with strong lights, but couldn't. I don't know if heat has something to do with it, or UVs. That's why I do finance - my engineering skills are very poor. But I did notice that, if I shine a strong light on it, the touchscreen becomes very unresponsive - which is especially noticeable if you try writing on the screen.

07-19-2010, 10:52 AM	#6
JakesFriend Jakes Friend Posts: 32 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Washington, DC Device: PRS-950, Kindle Fire HD, Kindle Paperwhite	Speaking of glare, I had hopes my polarized sunglasses (prescription) would help with my PRS900, but that doesn't seem to be the case. On my next visit to the eye doctor I'm going to see if he has any suggestions.

07-20-2010, 11:49 AM	#7
rblover69 Member Posts: 23 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Sony PRS900BC	the fade i notice is not a permanent thing as it returns to its sharpness after a while of use out side on the 900. I believe heat is the main culprit here but i could be wrong. All in all its not a serious issue and still far ahead of LCD use outdoors.

08-21-2010, 01:07 PM	#13
luqmaninbmore Da'i Posts: 1,143 Karma: 1217499 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Baltimore Device: Toshiba Thrive, Kobo Touch, Kindle 1, Aluratek Libre, T-Mobile Comet	135 degrees is way out of spec for the reader. The fact that the screen faded under those conditions means nothing. I've had to deal with readers that have the fade problem and they would fade based on exposure to direct sunlight, not based on temperature. I had one that would fade considerably on an overcast day, cool day as long as it was exposed to the open sky.


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