Annoying Reverse Image Flash E-Ink Readers

[some call me tim]

I wouldn't be surprised if future e-ink technology finds a way to eliminate the flash.

[kjk]

Originally Posted by some call me tim

I wouldn't be surprised if future e-ink technology finds a way to eliminate the flash.

there are already some nifty demo videos of full animations in e-ink, so they definitely can do it-I'm sure we'll see it at some point. (I'd rather see more work done in this area than in color implementations, myself)

[theducks]

Originally Posted by Wetdogeared

IMO, this "flash" wins hands-down over the animated page turns seen on some other devices.

[luqmaninbmore]

There are several e-ink devices that allow you to turn the flash off. The Pocketbook and Bookeen Cybook devices allow you to do this.

[Kurt]

i have always thought the page turning animation looked kinda cool - of course that is without actually trying to read a book on one of those machines

i have not had the opportunity to read on an e-ink reader for any length of time - it just seems something i would focus too much on each and every time i "turned" a page
it has been suggested to me that i could get a kindle and return it if things don't work out - seems wasteful (but tempting)

hopefully i'll be able to get my hands on an Edge and sit with it a bit before committing - - - if not i'll probably be getting one of the 3000 or so android tablets i'll have to choose from by then

[corona]

What flash?

[astra]

When I upgraded from PRS-500 to PRS-505 I have been noticing the flash for a few days. It was a bit frustrating, then it was gone.

[vaughnmr]

I had to laugh at this, I've been using my Kindle for a year now, and I didn't even know what the OP was talking about.

[GeoffC]

[some call me tim]

Originally Posted by kjk

there are already some nifty demo videos of full animations in e-ink, so they definitely can do it-I'm sure we'll see it at some point. (I'd rather see more work done in this area than in color implementations, myself)

Agreed. Loving my reader, but I wish I could enjoy graphic novels on it too.

[ardeegee]

Originally Posted by some call me tim

Agreed. Loving my reader, but I wish I could enjoy graphic novels on it too.

Absolutely no reason that you can't now. You just have to live with it being in greyscale.

[Nathanael]

Originally Posted by Kurt

though so far no one has actually said that all E-Ink readers have the flash i certainly get the impression that this flash thing is basic to the screen itself and not, say, the operating system

It is a consequence of eink technology. Many ereaders offer options to manage the issue. Some have various settings for partial refreshes; however, after a few page turns ghosting can becomes a problem (especially after an image display). My current ereader (Sibrary G5) has the option to do a full refresh every X page turns; I've currently set it to 5. This offers several advantages: partial refreshes are faster, less annoying and (theoretically) consume less battery power.

Your alternatives are either to invest in an ereader that can do partial refreshes, look for something using a different technology (e.g., an LCD screen), or grin and bear it.

--Nathanael

[Viseguy]

Originally Posted by HarryT

The overwhelming majority of people find that, after an hour or so, they no longer consciously notice it; your brain just filters it out.

My brain does.

[brecklundin]

I enjoy threads like this to see if things and peoples expectations/perceptions change with EPD panel devices and the refresh. Almost exactly a year ago I started a thread about this same topic and in general the responses were the same as today. Of course HarryT doubted the issue was ever mentioned anywhere, but that's why he is cool, keeps everyone on our toes.

It's nice to see people still find they get used to it in short order, some are still bothered by it, some don't become bothered by it until it's pointed out to them...most important is over the past year, devices haven't really increased on page turn speed, yeah a bit faster but not that much faster, save the new K3 and other new but still vaporware devices. Yet in the face of more LCD devices hitting the market I wonder if this is going to be used as a way to steer people AWAY from EPD devices toward higher margin LCD based devices. Not a sole ploy to point people away from EPD but a bullet in the gun used to make the consumer look the other way.

Oh, for fun here is the old thread:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...highlight=eink

Like I mention people are still generally the same on their POV toward the "flash"...to me it's like the keyboard on the Kindle, I would have sworn I would HATE the keyboard on the K1 when I bought it for my Mom...but when she still was not able to read on it due to her eyesight I took it back where it was confiscated by my better-half for almost a year, then when the K2 I got it back full-time and found it was not as bad as my initial impression but still did not like the eink screen...the keyboard immediately vanished as I used the reader. Same was true of any flashes from page changes...I just never noticed, even when not into the book that much.

It's going to be interesting to try this again next year, if the promised LCD panel devices finally show up...I so look forward to an Edge 2 (with Android 2.2 or even Chromium OS) and very interested in the Adam...and now that the ipAd has iOS4 with pretty much real enough multi-tasking it's a far more compelling device as well...along with the rumored new Nano with a touch screen...

But for me the flicker is just like a comfy pair of silk-wool hiking socks I use around the house...they might be annoying some days but 99% of the time they fool so cozy and like an old friend. BTW, I so recommend the Thorlo brand thick wool-silk blend hiking socks for your reading pleasure...never paid $18/pair for shocks in my like but I own 4-pair and rotate them every couple days and after 9-months still super and perfect for reading with the feet up on the furniture. Now I dare anyone to work wool socks into a thread about EPD screen flicker...hehehehe...

[brecklundin]

BTW, you know we could just say that EPD devices are better than the iPad because they actually support "Flash"...just a proprietary version of it...that's it, the flash is a short subliminal ad to make us buy more books and devices...sneaky bastages!!