The secret behind the new Paperwhite: E Ink Carta

Alexander Turcic · 09-04-2013, 10:26 AM

Some of us have already wondered what "Carta e-paper technology" is all about when Amazon unveiled the Paperwhite V2 yesterday. Well, here we have the answer, folks! Carta is the latest imaging film employed by E Ink for their e-paper screens. According to their website, Carta offers enhanced readability ("a dramatic 50% increase in contrast over earlier generations") and smoother page turns (supporting "the new Regal technology").

E Ink Carta specifications in detail:

Imaging Component: E Ink Carta ePaper Display Film
Contrast Ratio: 15:1 (min)
White State: 74 (min)
Dark State: 19 (max)
Color Resolution (# Bits): 1-Bit (B&W);4-Bit (16 Gray Levels)
% Reﬂectance: 44%
Viewing Angle: Near 180°
Image Update Time: 120 msec (1-Bit)
Update Modes: Full & Partial Page Update, Pipelined
Available Display Sizes: 1.44 to 13.3 in
Display Modules: E Ink Mobius Flexible Display, as well as Glass TFT

Source: spec sheet (PDF)

Related: All-New Kindle Paperwhite V2 (accidentally) unveiled. So what's all new?

Antoinekamel · 09-04-2013, 10:28 AM

I want I want I want I want I want I want I want!!!

(That's the bad part of living in Brazil... At least there is the Carnival.)

ProfCrash · 09-04-2013, 10:29 AM

wipes a tear from her eye

I will own one. I love my K3 but I like reading without the light on and will cave and buy a PW.

doctorow · 09-04-2013, 10:33 AM

Device with an E Ink Carta screen.

Antoinekamel · 09-04-2013, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

wipes a tear from her eye

her eye?...

doctorow · 09-04-2013, 10:35 AM

"Regal technology":

Quote:

The new display has been specifically tuned for reading applications, fully supporting E Ink Regal™ waveform technology. Regal waveforms dramatically reduce the need for full page refreshes after a few page turns. This enhances the reader's experience by providing smoother page turns and more focused reading.

Press release

Mort1997 · 09-04-2013, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antoinekamel

I want I want I want I want I want I want I want!!!

Yep, that about covers my feelings on the matter

Warchild · 09-04-2013, 10:45 AM

Here's to the next Kobo getting the Carta. Kindle's still bug me with restricted storage and clear locked down eco system.

AnemicOak · 09-04-2013, 10:52 AM

Here's a Yahoo article about the new tech...
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/e-ink-...130000456.html

pdurrant · 09-04-2013, 10:52 AM

A comparison to the Pearl Spec Sheet is worthwhile.

Dark:Light on pearl is 24:70
Dark:Light on carta is 19:74

Quite how those numbers get converted into a contrast ratio I'm not sure, but it certainly does have a lighter white and darker black.

lioslaith · 09-04-2013, 10:56 AM

While it's interesting I'm not convinced that it's worth paying the price tag to upgrade as I already own the first Paperwhite. I did pre-order one so I will be able to see in person any improvements without trying to see them while under a store's blindingly bright lights. I find that screens are a lot different to my eyes once I am outside the stores overhead lighting. I notice that previous Kindle screens look positively awful in stores, even worse if the touch screen devices have had a lot of handing.

Anyhow I pre-ordered one as a birthday present for my Mum who's default Kindle is a Kindle Touch. From KT to PW 2 is probably more worthy of the upgrade than PW 1 to PW 2.

As someone whose been actively addicted, as I admit fully, to eInk technology I would be interested in not only how books look but any performance improvements that might be present. I should be able to satisfy my curiosity when my Mum's PW is delivered.

pdurrant · 09-04-2013, 11:02 AM

Reflectance has gone from 40.7% to 44%. A very significant increase.

1st gen EInk has reflectance of 32-35%
2nd gen (Vizplex) has reflectance of 40%
3rd gen (Pearl) has reflectance of 40.7%
4th gen (Carta) has reflectance of 44%

Still not quite paperwhite, but getting there!
(paperback paper is around 60-70%. Glossy magazine paper around 80-90%)

jocampo · 09-04-2013, 11:06 AM

I wonder how long will take for Amazon to release a color eink device.

I also wonder if at some point, Amazon will buy eink. I may be wrong but if they really want to push further and stick to eink devices, they may save more long run if they took that step, i.e, manufacturing costs and patents.

tubemonkey · 09-04-2013, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexander Turcic

Display Modules: E Ink Mobius Flexible Display, as well as Glass TFT

Am I reading this correctly - the glass substrate is gone? If so, I'm definitely upgrading!

Lyn2012 · 09-04-2013, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Am I reading this correctly - the glass substrate is gone? If so, I'm definitely upgrading!

Not necessarily - the specs for the Pearl display say exactly the same thing.

09-04-2013, 10:26 AM	#1
Alexander Turcic Fully Converged Posts: 18,163 Karma: 14021202 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Switzerland Device: Too many to count here.	The secret behind the new Paperwhite: E Ink Carta Some of us have already wondered what "Carta e-paper technology" is all about when Amazon unveiled the Paperwhite V2 yesterday. Well, here we have the answer, folks! Carta is the latest imaging film employed by E Ink for their e-paper screens. According to their website, Carta offers enhanced readability ("a dramatic 50% increase in contrast over earlier generations") and smoother page turns (supporting "the new Regal technology"). E Ink Carta specifications in detail: Imaging Component: E Ink Carta ePaper Display Film Contrast Ratio: 15:1 (min) White State: 74 (min) Dark State: 19 (max) Color Resolution (# Bits): 1-Bit (B&W);4-Bit (16 Gray Levels) % Reﬂectance: 44% Viewing Angle: Near 180° Image Update Time: 120 msec (1-Bit) Update Modes: Full & Partial Page Update, Pipelined Available Display Sizes: 1.44 to 13.3 in Display Modules: E Ink Mobius Flexible Display, as well as Glass TFT Source: spec sheet (PDF) Related: All-New Kindle Paperwhite V2 (accidentally) unveiled. So what's all new?

09-04-2013, 10:33 AM	#4
doctorow Guru Posts: 914 Karma: 3410461 Join Date: May 2004 Device: Kindle Touch	Device with an E Ink Carta screen. Attached Thumbnails

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09-04-2013, 10:28 AM	#2
Antoinekamel Addict Posts: 278 Karma: 2511467 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: ABC W p2	I want I want I want I want I want I want I want!!! (That's the bad part of living in Brazil... At least there is the Carnival.)

09-04-2013, 10:29 AM	#3
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	wipes a tear from her eye I will own one. I love my K3 but I like reading without the light on and will cave and buy a PW.

09-04-2013, 10:45 AM	#8
Warchild Member Posts: 22 Karma: 205624 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Kindle, Nook Color, Kobo Aura, iPad, iPad Mini	Here's to the next Kobo getting the Carta. Kindle's still bug me with restricted storage and clear locked down eco system.

09-04-2013, 10:52 AM	#9
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	Here's a Yahoo article about the new tech... http://finance.yahoo.com/news/e-ink-...130000456.html

09-04-2013, 10:52 AM	#10
pdurrant The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠 Posts: 71,504 Karma: 306214458 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norfolk, England Device: Kindle Voyage	A comparison to the Pearl Spec Sheet is worthwhile. Dark:Light on pearl is 24:70 Dark:Light on carta is 19:74 Quite how those numbers get converted into a contrast ratio I'm not sure, but it certainly does have a lighter white and darker black.

09-04-2013, 10:56 AM	#11
lioslaith Zealot Posts: 145 Karma: 1000000 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Scotland, UK Device: Sony 505, Kindle, Kobo Vox/Glo, Nook	While it's interesting I'm not convinced that it's worth paying the price tag to upgrade as I already own the first Paperwhite. I did pre-order one so I will be able to see in person any improvements without trying to see them while under a store's blindingly bright lights. I find that screens are a lot different to my eyes once I am outside the stores overhead lighting. I notice that previous Kindle screens look positively awful in stores, even worse if the touch screen devices have had a lot of handing. Anyhow I pre-ordered one as a birthday present for my Mum who's default Kindle is a Kindle Touch. From KT to PW 2 is probably more worthy of the upgrade than PW 1 to PW 2. As someone whose been actively addicted, as I admit fully, to eInk technology I would be interested in not only how books look but any performance improvements that might be present. I should be able to satisfy my curiosity when my Mum's PW is delivered.

09-04-2013, 11:02 AM	#12
pdurrant The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠 Posts: 71,504 Karma: 306214458 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norfolk, England Device: Kindle Voyage	Reflectance has gone from 40.7% to 44%. A very significant increase. 1st gen EInk has reflectance of 32-35% 2nd gen (Vizplex) has reflectance of 40% 3rd gen (Pearl) has reflectance of 40.7% 4th gen (Carta) has reflectance of 44% Still not quite paperwhite, but getting there! (paperback paper is around 60-70%. Glossy magazine paper around 80-90%)

09-04-2013, 11:06 AM	#13
jocampo Layback feline Posts: 3,034 Karma: 6980745 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: USA Device: Oasis 2nd gen, Sony DPTS1, iPad Pro 10.5"	I wonder how long will take for Amazon to release a color eink device. I also wonder if at some point, Amazon will buy eink. I may be wrong but if they really want to push further and stick to eink devices, they may save more long run if they took that step, i.e, manufacturing costs and patents.

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