Returned kindle 2 for low text contrast

Bookathon · 03-03-2009, 11:55 PM

I had kindle 2 for about 3 days, I noticed low contrast on text as compared to kindle 1 (I have both), text on kindle 1 is really good it is dark and somewhat thicker than kindle 2 at the same font size, menu is normal on kindle 2.

I did use all the tricks some people mentioned on other boards such as light source change, reset to factory condition but no avail.

I talked to rep from kindle and he said he heard same complaints from other users as well.

I think kindle 2 is a good choice for people who had no kindle before and are not visually challenged.

I will stick to kindle1 as text is good, and i am used to clicker wheel, I felt odd at this 5 way thing and was choosing wrong menu all the time.

Slow_hand · 03-04-2009, 06:25 AM

I agree that the contrast is borderline on K2, and much better on K1. I do think that they can fix this via an update. I think they mistakenly used a lighter shade on text - obviously the people who made this decision are not big Kindle readers. You made a statement that may help future K2 owners by returning yours. Thanks.

Ian · 03-04-2009, 08:44 AM

Hi-

I never had a Kindle 1, but agree that the reading experience on Kindle 2 is a bit challenging due to the contrast.

Alt-G (a refresh) does seem to make the text much more readable, but who wants to do that once on every page?

Haven't decided whether to keep my Kindle or not - I'm hopeful a firmware update will fix this issue - but what do others think.

Is this really the same screen as a Kindle 1 and there's a firmware glitch, or is it a different, inferior screen?

-Ian

sirbruce · 03-04-2009, 08:47 AM

It's a different, superior screen.

I've installed the 2.0.1 update and while the text isn't darker I think it may have improved the background contrast a bit. Try it yourself and see.

Mr. Goodbar · 03-04-2009, 09:01 AM

I've been struggling with the same issue. Overall I like the K2, but it seems like they've gone with a narrower or less bold font which effectively reduces the contrast. I'm giving it a few more days, but may send mine back as well. Other than the font, I really like the device.

bwaldron · 03-04-2009, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirbruce

It's a different, superior screen.

No, it's the same physical screen with a newer controller.

sirbruce · 03-04-2009, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwaldron

No, it's the same physical screen with a newer controller.

According to einks website, it's a different "film", which to me means a different physical screen. Not just a new controller chip.

http://www.eink.com/products/matrix/imaging_film.html

And note that Kindle 2's 4bit screen isn't even listed; it's so new.

bwaldron · 03-04-2009, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirbruce

According to einks website, it's a different "film", which to me means a different physical screen. Not just a new controller chip.

http://www.eink.com/products/matrix/imaging_film.html

And note that Kindle 2's 4bit screen isn't even listed; it's so new.

Again, Kindle 1 and 2 (and Cybook and Sony 505 and others) share the same Vizplex ("film") screen.

sirbruce · 03-04-2009, 12:26 PM

Well if you mean by the same "company", same "brand", sure, but it's a different model. It's like saying the iPhone and the iPhone 3G are the "same" phone.

Edit: You know it's difficult having an argument with someone with your avatar...

Octochick · 03-04-2009, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirbruce

It's a different, superior screen.

I've installed the 2.0.1 update and while the text isn't darker I think it may have improved the background contrast a bit. Try it yourself and see.

How do you do that?

just saw your other post!

Nate the great · 03-04-2009, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwaldron

Again, Kindle 1 and 2 (and Cybook and Sony 505 and others) share the same Vizplex ("film") screen.

Actually, I think you might be wrong. The Vizplex screen is shown as having 3 bit grayscale. The K2 has 4 bit grayscale. It might not have a Vizplex screen.

sirbruce · 03-04-2009, 12:49 PM

It's Vizplex, or a follow-on product. But I don't think eInk is selling it to anyone but Amazon currently.

JSWolf · 03-04-2009, 12:51 PM

There's way to much misinformation going on here. So I will tell it the way it is.

All the current eink devices that use a 6" screen use the EXACT SAME Vizplex screen. These devices include the 505, 700, K1, K2, Gen3, V3 (and derivatives such as BeBook and EZ Reader) and others. Now that we have that important fact out of the way, what can be different is the controller use to drive the screen and the software to drive the screen controller.

As for the K1 & K2, the K1 & K2 have different screen controllers and software to drive these controllers on the VERY SAME SCREEN. There is nothing new about the K2's screen. As for the contrast issue, that's most likely a software issue. But I am not 100% sure.

So before you go off and say the screen on the K2 is not the same as the K1, remember, it is the same. The screen controller and software are what is different. Think of it like having a Wii and an Xbox 360. If you use them with the same TV, then you have the same screen but different electronics/software behind the TV driving what you see.

And for those that do not still understand, go stand in the corner till you get it.

Nate the great · 03-04-2009, 12:55 PM

Then why does E-ink corp. list the Vizplex screen as having 3 bit grayscale when we know the K2 has 4 bit?

AnemicOak · 03-04-2009, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate the great

Actually, I think you might be wrong. The Vizplex screen is shown as having 3 bit grayscale. The K2 has 4 bit grayscale. It might not have a Vizplex screen.

One place on the eInk site it says Viziplex is 3 bit, but in another it says it's 4 bit. Not sure what's up with that.

03-03-2009, 11:55 PM	#1
Bookathon Bookaholic Posts: 67 Karma: 142 Join Date: Dec 2008 Device: Kindle 1, Astak EZ reader	Returned kindle 2 for low text contrast I had kindle 2 for about 3 days, I noticed low contrast on text as compared to kindle 1 (I have both), text on kindle 1 is really good it is dark and somewhat thicker than kindle 2 at the same font size, menu is normal on kindle 2. I did use all the tricks some people mentioned on other boards such as light source change, reset to factory condition but no avail. I talked to rep from kindle and he said he heard same complaints from other users as well. I think kindle 2 is a good choice for people who had no kindle before and are not visually challenged. I will stick to kindle1 as text is good, and i am used to clicker wheel, I felt odd at this 5 way thing and was choosing wrong menu all the time.

03-04-2009, 12:51 PM	#13
JSWolf Mobile Reader Geek Posts: 17,388 Karma: 21146 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Sony Reader PRS-505	There's way to much misinformation going on here. So I will tell it the way it is. All the current eink devices that use a 6" screen use the EXACT SAME Vizplex screen. These devices include the 505, 700, K1, K2, Gen3, V3 (and derivatives such as BeBook and EZ Reader) and others. Now that we have that important fact out of the way, what can be different is the controller use to drive the screen and the software to drive the screen controller. As for the K1 & K2, the K1 & K2 have different screen controllers and software to drive these controllers on the VERY SAME SCREEN. There is nothing new about the K2's screen. As for the contrast issue, that's most likely a software issue. But I am not 100% sure. So before you go off and say the screen on the K2 is not the same as the K1, remember, it is the same. The screen controller and software are what is different. Think of it like having a Wii and an Xbox 360. If you use them with the same TV, then you have the same screen but different electronics/software behind the TV driving what you see. And for those that do not still understand, go stand in the corner till you get it. __________________ Jon If you want to listen to really good music while you surf Mobileread, here.

03-04-2009, 12:55 PM	#14
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 8,208 Karma: 58191 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Airpanel 100, Jornada 720, Kindle, Smart Q7, Zelda has Sony 600 & 700	Then why does E-ink corp. list the Vizplex screen as having 3 bit grayscale when we know the K2 has 4 bit? __________________ Nate's Ebook News - www.natesebooknews.com

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03-04-2009, 06:25 AM	#2
Slow_hand Groupie Posts: 190 Karma: 326 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore Device: Amazon Kindle 2	I agree that the contrast is borderline on K2, and much better on K1. I do think that they can fix this via an update. I think they mistakenly used a lighter shade on text - obviously the people who made this decision are not big Kindle readers. You made a statement that may help future K2 owners by returning yours. Thanks.

03-04-2009, 08:44 AM	#3
Ian Member Posts: 17 Karma: 34 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kindle	Hi- I never had a Kindle 1, but agree that the reading experience on Kindle 2 is a bit challenging due to the contrast. Alt-G (a refresh) does seem to make the text much more readable, but who wants to do that once on every page? Haven't decided whether to keep my Kindle or not - I'm hopeful a firmware update will fix this issue - but what do others think. Is this really the same screen as a Kindle 1 and there's a firmware glitch, or is it a different, inferior screen? -Ian

03-04-2009, 08:47 AM	#4
sirbruce Provocateur Posts: 1,859 Karma: 5727 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: San Jose, CA Device: Kindle 2, Kindle DX, iPhone 3GS	It's a different, superior screen. I've installed the 2.0.1 update and while the text isn't darker I think it may have improved the background contrast a bit. Try it yourself and see.

03-04-2009, 09:01 AM	#5
Mr. Goodbar Guru Posts: 632 Karma: 442 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Device: Kindle DX, iRex iLiad	I've been struggling with the same issue. Overall I like the K2, but it seems like they've gone with a narrower or less bold font which effectively reduces the contrast. I'm giving it a few more days, but may send mine back as well. Other than the font, I really like the device.

03-04-2009, 12:26 PM	#9
sirbruce Provocateur Posts: 1,859 Karma: 5727 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: San Jose, CA Device: Kindle 2, Kindle DX, iPhone 3GS	Well if you mean by the same "company", same "brand", sure, but it's a different model. It's like saying the iPhone and the iPhone 3G are the "same" phone. Edit: You know it's difficult having an argument with someone with your avatar...

03-04-2009, 12:49 PM	#12
sirbruce Provocateur Posts: 1,859 Karma: 5727 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: San Jose, CA Device: Kindle 2, Kindle DX, iPhone 3GS	It's Vizplex, or a follow-on product. But I don't think eInk is selling it to anyone but Amazon currently.