E Ink launches next-gen electronic ink: Vizplex

Alexander Turcic · 05-09-2007, 01:47 PM

Ladies and gentlemen, E Ink is busting out a new version of their electronic ink technology which has me drifting on a heavenly cloud of bliss. It's called Vizplex and its tech specs are way superior to the previous E Ink imaging film technologies we've seen.

Typical Switch Speed: 740 ms (previous: 1200 ms)
Peak Switch Speed (monochrome): 260 ms (previous: 500 ms)
Brightness (reflectance): 40% (previous: 32-35%)
Greyscale levels: 8 (previous: 4)

According to the press release, PrimeView International will manufacture the TFT modules based on Vizplex with the first displays to come out this summer. Diagonal sizes will include 1.9", 5", 6", 8" and 9.7" (previous: only 6").

Ok, time to place your bets when the first Vizplex e-reader hits the stores.

Thanks to Jason for the tip!

NatCh · 05-09-2007, 01:59 PM

Nope, right now it's time to rejoice!

NatCh · 05-09-2007, 02:42 PM

The press release doesn't mention it, but on this page it comments that they've removed a number of the more expensive manufacturing steps, and I think I'm inferring that the actual volume of the manufacturing can increase with it. Either or both of those developments ought to translate to lower prices for e-ink.

I find the current stuff so impressive that I just can't wait to see this newest generation in action!

jimmyzou · 05-09-2007, 03:09 PM

Great!
Let's see what happen in the 2nd half of 2007

CommanderROR · 05-09-2007, 06:04 PM

I'm not sure how long it'll take for this to reach the market, but if it's better than the curent eink, then I'll gladly take it...^^

scotty1024 · 05-09-2007, 07:55 PM

So that's $4000 + unsolder driver chip from iLiad = 9.7" ebook reader with 16 grey scales and suspend?

NatCh · 05-09-2007, 07:57 PM

Um, you lost me with that one, scotty1024.

Leaping Gnome · 05-09-2007, 09:03 PM

Very nice. If it's plug and play with existing screens it should be pretty easy for Sony to push one into the current Reader, and if they're cheaper Sony can give us an upgrade, keep the same price point and make more profit. Good deal all around.

wallcraft · 05-09-2007, 09:24 PM

By my calculations, the pixels are not quite square on the 5"and 8" versions:

Code:

5"   600x800   185x194 ppi
6"   600x800   168x166 ppi
8"   768x1024  152x158 ppi
9.7" 825x1200  147x148 ppi

For comparison, the typical UMPC color LCD screen has about 133 pixels per inch, although the new Samsung Q1U has 170 ppi on a 7"screen and the Nokia 700/N800 has about 225 ppi on a 4.1" screen.

NatCh · 05-10-2007, 12:37 AM

Makes sense, they're not not square on the current generation either.

Dave Berk · 05-10-2007, 02:56 AM

That's great. But what we need is a better, whiter background, not more shades of gray. Still, it is an improvement. Now all we need is to eliminate that annoying switch and we've got a perfect device.

BACbKA · 05-10-2007, 05:34 AM

isn't the "brightness (reflectance)" increase the thing that says you've got a whiter b/g?

Alexander Turcic · 05-10-2007, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BACbKA

isn't the "brightness (reflectance)" increase the thing that says you've got a whiter b/g?

That's how I interpret it, too. I think the new film will deliver a "whiter" background.

Ebook lover · 05-10-2007, 08:35 AM

I believe that the only source to get the new panel is from PVI.

NatCh · 05-10-2007, 09:41 AM

That squares with what e-ink's release says, Ebook lover. The only other folks in the world making e-ink panels at all are the ones iRex makes for their own use.

05-09-2007, 01:47 PM	#1
Alexander Turcic Fully Converged Posts: 12,730 Karma: 71589 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Switzerland Device: Sony Portable Reader	E Ink launches next-gen electronic ink: Vizplex Ladies and gentlemen, E Ink is busting out a new version of their electronic ink technology which has me drifting on a heavenly cloud of bliss. It's called Vizplex and its tech specs are way superior to the previous E Ink imaging film technologies we've seen. Typical Switch Speed: 740 ms (previous: 1200 ms) Peak Switch Speed (monochrome): 260 ms (previous: 500 ms) Brightness (reflectance): 40% (previous: 32-35%) Greyscale levels: 8 (previous: 4) According to the press release, PrimeView International will manufacture the TFT modules based on Vizplex with the first displays to come out this summer. Diagonal sizes will include 1.9", 5", 6", 8" and 9.7" (previous: only 6"). Ok, time to place your bets when the first Vizplex e-reader hits the stores. Thanks to Jason for the tip! Attached Thumbnails

05-09-2007, 01:59 PM	#2
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,484 Karma: 31590 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: PRS600	Nope, right now it's time to rejoice! __________________ ΨΦ! "Torg, why do you have emergency pants?" -- Riff

05-09-2007, 02:42 PM	#3
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,484 Karma: 31590 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: PRS600	The press release doesn't mention it, but on this page it comments that they've removed a number of the more expensive manufacturing steps, and I think I'm inferring that the actual volume of the manufacturing can increase with it. Either or both of those developments ought to translate to lower prices for e-ink. I find the current stuff so impressive that I just can't wait to see this newest generation in action! __________________ ΨΦ! "Torg, why do you have emergency pants?" -- Riff

05-09-2007, 03:09 PM	#4
jimmyzou Connoisseur Posts: 90 Karma: 11 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Montreal Device: Sony Reader	Great! Let's see what happen in the 2nd half of 2007 __________________ Sony Reader - Nice

05-09-2007, 07:57 PM	#7
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,484 Karma: 31590 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: PRS600	Um, you lost me with that one, scotty1024. __________________ ΨΦ! "Torg, why do you have emergency pants?" -- Riff

05-09-2007, 06:04 PM	#5
CommanderROR eink fanatic Posts: 2,005 Karma: 4900 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Germany Device: STAReBOOK, iRex Iliad, Sony 505, Kindle 2	I'm not sure how long it'll take for this to reach the market, but if it's better than the curent eink, then I'll gladly take it...^^

05-09-2007, 07:55 PM	#6
scotty1024 Banned Posts: 1,300 Karma: 1479 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Peoples Republic of Washington Device: Reader / iPhone / Librie / Kindle	So that's $4000 + unsolder driver chip from iLiad = 9.7" ebook reader with 16 grey scales and suspend?

05-09-2007, 09:03 PM	#8
Leaping Gnome Evangelist Posts: 490 Karma: 1641 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Louisville Device: Sony Reader PRS-500	Very nice. If it's plug and play with existing screens it should be pretty easy for Sony to push one into the current Reader, and if they're cheaper Sony can give us an upgrade, keep the same price point and make more profit. Good deal all around.

05-09-2007, 09:24 PM	#9
wallcraft reader Posts: 5,297 Karma: 10146 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: iLiad, Kindle 1, EZ Reader Basic and Pocket Pro	By my calculations, the pixels are not quite square on the 5"and 8" versions: Code: 5" 600x800 185x194 ppi 6" 600x800 168x166 ppi 8" 768x1024 152x158 ppi 9.7" 825x1200 147x148 ppi For comparison, the typical UMPC color LCD screen has about 133 pixels per inch, although the new Samsung Q1U has 170 ppi on a 7"screen and the Nokia 700/N800 has about 225 ppi on a 4.1" screen.

05-10-2007, 12:37 AM	#10
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,484 Karma: 31590 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: PRS600	Makes sense, they're not not square on the current generation either. __________________ ΨΦ! "Torg, why do you have emergency pants?" -- Riff

05-10-2007, 02:56 AM	#11
Dave Berk Evangelist Posts: 486 Karma: 1058 Join Date: May 2006 Device: PRS505	That's great. But what we need is a better, whiter background, not more shades of gray. Still, it is an improvement. Now all we need is to eliminate that annoying switch and we've got a perfect device.

05-10-2007, 05:34 AM	#12
BACbKA мокрец Posts: 49 Karma: 28 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Israel Device: palm, iliad	isn't the "brightness (reflectance)" increase the thing that says you've got a whiter b/g?

05-10-2007, 08:35 AM	#14
Ebook lover NUUT, Cybook Device Posts: 49 Karma: 11 Join Date: Aug 2006 Device: O2	I believe that the only source to get the new panel is from PVI.

05-10-2007, 09:41 AM	#15
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,484 Karma: 31590 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: PRS600	That squares with what e-ink's release says, Ebook lover. The only other folks in the world making e-ink panels at all are the ones iRex makes for their own use. __________________ ΨΦ! "Torg, why do you have emergency pants?" -- Riff

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
UAE launches first electronic schoolbook	Alexander Turcic	News and Commentary	0	09-09-2006 06:29 AM
When will the iRex webshop launch?	CommanderROR	iRex iLiad	61	06-30-2006 03:28 PM
Electronic paper for shelf labels in Japanese stores	Alexander Turcic	News and Commentary	0	04-06-2005 09:15 AM
Electronic Paper reviewed	Colin Dunstan	Legacy E-Book Devices	0	03-31-2005 04:25 AM
Essay on the benefits of electronic paper	Alexander Turcic	News and Commentary	0	11-22-2004 02:50 PM