Thread: Aura H2O Aura H2O Sharpness Slider
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Old 04-25-2015, 03:31 AM   #13
GeoffR
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aceflor View Post
I have tried to improve the sharpness on my H2O but whatever configuration I try, the Voyage is still sharper.
The Voyage is 300dpi, the H2O 265dpi; of course it is impossible to match the sharpness of a 300dpi screen on a 265dpi screen.

But the purpose of adjustable sharpness is to allow the reader to make a compromise: by sacrificing some sharpness (selecting a lower sharpness value) they can achieve an increase in the smoothness of curves, diagonal lines, etc.

Edit: It is a bit like a soft-focus filter on a camera: sometimes things look better when they are not perfectly in focus. Maximum sharpness allows you to see all the blemishes (pimples/pixels).

Edit2: Adjustable sharpness is achieved using anti-aliasing: maximum sharpness is when there is no anti-aliasing; more anti-aliasing results in less sharpness and more smoothness. Smoothness vs sharpness is a compromise, the only way to have both more sharpness and more smoothness is to increase the pixel density of the screen.

So a better way to think of the sharpness adjustment slider is:

Smoother <----------x----------> Sharper

Smooth and sharp are both good things, but you can't choose both. What looks best is subjective: the perfect balance will depend on the font used, font size, your eyesight, how far you hold the screen from your eye, etc.

Eventually when screen pixel density gets high enough (600dpi? 1200dpi?) then it won't matter, everything will look perfectly smooth and sharp as far as the human eye can distinguish. Until then it is a useful feature for the reader to be able to choose a balance between smoothness and sharpness that makes the best use of the screen they have.

Last edited by GeoffR; 04-25-2015 at 07:28 AM. Reason: Smoothness vs sharpness ...
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