Sony & Kobo - Screen

melmac · 11-13-2011, 09:17 PM

Hi

I have a Sony 650 and we recently purchased a T1 as a gift for my brother and now we are after a Reader for my mum for Christmas. We are tossing up between the Sony T1 and the Kobo Touch, we were leaning towards the Kobo because my mum is not very computer savy and we thought the kobo would be simplier for her particularly in terms of purchasing books(There is no sony reader Aust store yet)

When I went to the store to buy the Kobo it really seemed that the Sony's screen was whiter and brighter I was wondering if there is a difference in screen specs of both models ? Before I saw it in real life I thought they both used the same standard of screen but now I'm not sure. Could it be due to the Kobo not doing a full refresh on each turn? and can that be adjusted

In the end I came away with nothing, and are going to go to another store to have another look perhaps it was the stores lighting

Thanks
Mel

Rizla · 11-13-2011, 09:27 PM

I think Sony make much better E-readers than Kobo...

Another alternative is a Kindle of some description. The Kindle is a very user friendly buying interface.

robko · 11-13-2011, 09:46 PM

Kobo customer support isn't great but I love my Kobo Touch e-reader and wouldn't trade it. The demo model in the store likely had the default every 6 page full refresh which can make the screen look ugly (IMHO) but it's adjustable to anywhere from every 1 to 6 pages. Some people have found there are random differences within lots between the apparent whiteness of screens.

Albie · 11-13-2011, 10:51 PM

Hi, I have had my Kobo ereader for 4 months now, have been very happy with it, Right up until the screen failed. My ereader has always been kept in a cover, never dropped or bumped but overnight the screen became unreadable. I have since then been trying to either get it repaired or replaced. I bought my ereader online from "Angus and Robertson" I have so far only received automated responses from both them and "Kobo Customer Care" Neither of which has been helpful. Anyone looking to buy an ereader would be better served by a brand that has better customer service.

melmac · 11-13-2011, 11:22 PM

I definetly want to stick to epub so kindle is out, I will go back and have another play with the kobo perhaps changing the refresh.

Albie - Have you tried phoning Angus & Robertson ? They are the retailer you purchased from should and should be your first stop for a replacement

SmokeAndMirrors · 11-14-2011, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melmac

Hi

I have a Sony 650 and we recently purchased a T1 as a gift for my brother and now we are after a Reader for my mum for Christmas. We are tossing up between the Sony T1 and the Kobo Touch, we were leaning towards the Kobo because my mum is not very computer savy and we thought the kobo would be simplier for her particularly in terms of purchasing books(There is no sony reader Aust store yet)

When I went to the store to buy the Kobo it really seemed that the Sony's screen was whiter and brighter I was wondering if there is a difference in screen specs of both models ? Before I saw it in real life I thought they both used the same standard of screen but now I'm not sure. Could it be due to the Kobo not doing a full refresh on each turn? and can that be adjusted

In the end I came away with nothing, and are going to go to another store to have another look perhaps it was the stores lighting

Thanks
Mel

They should look pretty much the same. Yes, I suspect the Kobo was set to a lower refresh rate. And yes, you can set it to refresh every page, like other ereaders do, if you want to. You can set it anywhere between every page and once every 6 pages.

The ghosting doesn't seem very noticeable to me, so I set it to the lowest - full refresh once ever 6 pages. But it can be more noticeable under certain kinds of light.

ProDigit · 11-14-2011, 05:51 AM

As strange as it sounds, but sun rays also affect the e-screen!
Sun rays will make a raster appear (your screen to appear grey-ish). White becomes washed out, black becomes more grey, until finally the whole screen is rasterized.

How that happens? I don't know!
I only challenge you to try it!
Load a photo on your ereader, cover one half of the screen with cardboard or something dark, and place it in the sunlight.
The covered part will remain high contrast, while the revealed part of the screen will be washed out until the screen is refreshed.

Perhaps UV light... Someone got to do some testing on it!

I know one thing, it's definitely not magnetic interference, as I've tried many magnets on the screen, and they where incapable of changing anything on the screen.

seajewel · 11-14-2011, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProDigit

As strange as it sounds, but sun rays also affect the e-screen!
Sun rays will make a raster appear (your screen to appear grey-ish). White becomes washed out, black becomes more grey, until finally the whole screen is rasterized.

How that happens? I don't know!
I only challenge you to try it!
Load a photo on your ereader, cover one half of the screen with cardboard or something dark, and place it in the sunlight.
The covered part will remain high contrast, while the revealed part of the screen will be washed out until the screen is refreshed.

Perhaps UV light... Someone got to do some testing on it!

I know one thing, it's definitely not magnetic interference, as I've tried many magnets on the screen, and they where incapable of changing anything on the screen.

I thought that was a defect in some screens.. is this universal? I have read on my 505 in the sun but didn't notice, but then I didn't try covering up part of the screen.

Albie · 11-18-2011, 06:32 AM

Hi Melmac, As I bought online I can find no phone number for "Angus and Robertson", they have finally answered my email but stated that I have to deal with the manufacturer who is Kobo, I have rung the phone number several times and been placed on automated hold from 10 to 45 minutes. They say this is a free call number but it has an international prefix so I am not convinced. I am waiting to check my phone bill before I try again as at this rate the phone calls could cost more than the ereader.

HarryT · 11-18-2011, 07:09 AM

Can you post a photograph of your screen, Albie?

melmac · 11-18-2011, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Albie

Hi Melmac, As I bought online I can find no phone number for "Angus and Robertson", they have finally answered my email but stated that I have to deal with the manufacturer who is Kobo, I have rung the phone number several times and been placed on automated hold from 10 to 45 minutes. They say this is a free call number but it has an international prefix so I am not convinced. I am waiting to check my phone bill before I try again as at this rate the phone calls could cost more than the ereader.

It's annoying that you're not getting the help that you need with your screen if Kobo are not coming to the party then it is ultimately up to Angus and Robertson to find a solution they are the ones that took your money, I found this numer 1300 095 092 hopefully you will get a real person on the other end. Check the consumer protection site in your state for info before calling.

11-13-2011, 09:17 PM	#1
melmac Wizard Posts: 1,399 Karma: 5573651 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Perth AU Device: Sony PRS650, Sony T3, Kobo Forma	Sony & Kobo - Screen Hi I have a Sony 650 and we recently purchased a T1 as a gift for my brother and now we are after a Reader for my mum for Christmas. We are tossing up between the Sony T1 and the Kobo Touch, we were leaning towards the Kobo because my mum is not very computer savy and we thought the kobo would be simplier for her particularly in terms of purchasing books(There is no sony reader Aust store yet) When I went to the store to buy the Kobo it really seemed that the Sony's screen was whiter and brighter I was wondering if there is a difference in screen specs of both models ? Before I saw it in real life I thought they both used the same standard of screen but now I'm not sure. Could it be due to the Kobo not doing a full refresh on each turn? and can that be adjusted In the end I came away with nothing, and are going to go to another store to have another look perhaps it was the stores lighting Thanks Mel

11-13-2011, 10:51 PM	#4
Albie Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2011 Device: kobo	Failed Kobo Hi, I have had my Kobo ereader for 4 months now, have been very happy with it, Right up until the screen failed. My ereader has always been kept in a cover, never dropped or bumped but overnight the screen became unreadable. I have since then been trying to either get it repaired or replaced. I bought my ereader online from "Angus and Robertson" I have so far only received automated responses from both them and "Kobo Customer Care" Neither of which has been helpful. Anyone looking to buy an ereader would be better served by a brand that has better customer service. Last edited by Albie; 11-13-2011 at 10:52 PM. Reason: didn't type "has"

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11-13-2011, 09:27 PM	#2
Rizla Member Retired Posts: 3,183 Karma: 11721895 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Nook STR (rooted) & Sony T2	I think Sony make much better E-readers than Kobo... Another alternative is a Kindle of some description. The Kindle is a very user friendly buying interface.

11-13-2011, 09:46 PM	#3
robko Wizard Posts: 2,454 Karma: 5469320 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Kobo	Kobo customer support isn't great but I love my Kobo Touch e-reader and wouldn't trade it. The demo model in the store likely had the default every 6 page full refresh which can make the screen look ugly (IMHO) but it's adjustable to anywhere from every 1 to 6 pages. Some people have found there are random differences within lots between the apparent whiteness of screens.

11-13-2011, 11:22 PM	#5
melmac Wizard Posts: 1,399 Karma: 5573651 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Perth AU Device: Sony PRS650, Sony T3, Kobo Forma	I definetly want to stick to epub so kindle is out, I will go back and have another play with the kobo perhaps changing the refresh. Albie - Have you tried phoning Angus & Robertson ? They are the retailer you purchased from should and should be your first stop for a replacement

11-14-2011, 05:51 AM	#7
ProDigit Karmaniac Posts: 2,553 Karma: 11499146 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Miami FL Device: PRS-505, Jetbook, + Mini, +Color, Astak Ez Reader Pro, PPW1, Aura H2O	As strange as it sounds, but sun rays also affect the e-screen! Sun rays will make a raster appear (your screen to appear grey-ish). White becomes washed out, black becomes more grey, until finally the whole screen is rasterized. How that happens? I don't know! I only challenge you to try it! Load a photo on your ereader, cover one half of the screen with cardboard or something dark, and place it in the sunlight. The covered part will remain high contrast, while the revealed part of the screen will be washed out until the screen is refreshed. Perhaps UV light... Someone got to do some testing on it! I know one thing, it's definitely not magnetic interference, as I've tried many magnets on the screen, and they where incapable of changing anything on the screen.

11-18-2011, 06:32 AM	#9
Albie Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2011 Device: kobo	Hi Melmac, As I bought online I can find no phone number for "Angus and Robertson", they have finally answered my email but stated that I have to deal with the manufacturer who is Kobo, I have rung the phone number several times and been placed on automated hold from 10 to 45 minutes. They say this is a free call number but it has an international prefix so I am not convinced. I am waiting to check my phone bill before I try again as at this rate the phone calls could cost more than the ereader.

11-18-2011, 07:09 AM	#10
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Can you post a photograph of your screen, Albie?

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