The e-ink "flash"

kyteflyer · 11-29-2012, 12:24 AM

I have a Sony PRS-650, and whilst its clearly an excellent reader, I find the "flash" as the screen refreshes for each page really intensely annoying. Perhaps I am too used to backlit screens which are constantly refreshing, I just dont know. However, I hear that the tech has improved now to the point where the flash is barely noticeable.

So, which readers have the best experience now, in terms of flash?

owly · 11-29-2012, 02:55 AM

Most new e-bookreaders now have partial refresh which means you only get the black flash every 6 pages or so (often the amount can be adjusted).

Joy736 · 11-29-2012, 03:21 AM

The Sony Prst2 never has a flash. And that's ofcourse very nice to have.

HarryT · 11-29-2012, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joy736

The Sony Prst2 never has a flash. And that's ofcourse very nice to have.

I believe you're mistaken about that. Every eInk reader exhibits the black "flash" - the PRS-T2 included. Perhaps you simply don't notice it? For 99% of people, after using an eInk reader for a few hours, your brain simply "filters out" the flash so you aren't consciously aware of it any more. It's rare for someone to be bothered by it.

Joy736 · 11-29-2012, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I believe you're mistaken about that. Every eInk reader exhibits the black "flash" - the PRS-T2 included. Perhaps you simply don't notice it? For 99% of people, after using an eInk reader for a few hours, your brain simply "filters out" the flash so you aren't consciously aware of it any more. It's rare for someone to be bothered by it.

And I think you're right.

Sorry about that. I just did my best to notice the flash and I have to admit it's there. Not as noticeable as on some other current readers, according some video's I've seen online. I believe Sony uses a different technic witch gives is the least noticeable flash. Correct me if I'm wrong please.

HarryT · 11-29-2012, 05:10 AM

It's much less noticeable on any of the modern readers than the older ones. On the Kindle Paperwhite, for example, it's much less noticeable than on the older Kindle Keyboard.

Shopaholic · 11-29-2012, 02:08 PM

The flash on the T2 is no different than the T1. It's there & it's noticeable. I looked at it in the store when it first came out & it was no different. It's just as noticeable.

kyteflyer · 11-29-2012, 02:54 PM

I guess I'll just have to go play with some readers and see which seem best or better than what I have. If none seem any different, I'll stick with the PRS-650.

@Harry: I think you might be right about filtering the flash out... the more I use it the less I notice it. Its just that when I first bought it, a few pages in, I was ticked off enough to put it away and wonder why I bothered. I'll persist.

twowheels · 11-29-2012, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

It's much less noticeable on any of the modern readers than the older ones. On the Kindle Paperwhite, for example, it's much less noticeable than on the older Kindle Keyboard.

And the Paperwhite exhibits more ghosting than the K3 ever did, even with every screen refresh set. I wish it'd do a more thorough refresh.

David Munch · 11-29-2012, 04:59 PM

Speaking of; why exactly do they have to flash regularly?

pdurrant · 11-29-2012, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Munch

Speaking of; why exactly do they have to flash regularly?

It's because the eInk screen has a bit too much memory. It's hard to completely clear the previous image from the screen.

JSWolf · 11-29-2012, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyteflyer

I guess I'll just have to go play with some readers and see which seem best or better than what I have. If none seem any different, I'll stick with the PRS-650.

If you can find a PRS-T1, you can install the modified reader app and set how many page turns before the flash. That is customizable and works rather well.

WillysJeepMan · 11-29-2012, 07:20 PM

My Aluratek Libre Pro (same as the Ectaco JetBook) uses a non-illuminated monochrome LCD screen. All of the same crisp and clear text in sunlight without the flash.

JD Gumby · 11-29-2012, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillysJeepMan

My Aluratek Libre Pro (same as the Ectaco JetBook) uses a non-illuminated monochrome LCD screen. All of the same crisp and clear text in sunlight without the flash.

Yeah, but it's like reading on a calculator screen (a good quality one, anyways, not the $5 calculator you'd get your kid for school :P).

twowheels · 11-29-2012, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillysJeepMan

My Aluratek Libre Pro (same as the Ectaco JetBook) uses a non-illuminated monochrome LCD screen. All of the same crisp and clear text in sunlight without the flash.

...or the battery life.

11-29-2012, 12:24 AM	#1
kyteflyer Wizard Posts: 1,844 Karma: 9547754 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Newcastle, Australia Device: iPhone 12 Mini	The e-ink "flash" I have a Sony PRS-650, and whilst its clearly an excellent reader, I find the "flash" as the screen refreshes for each page really intensely annoying. Perhaps I am too used to backlit screens which are constantly refreshing, I just dont know. However, I hear that the tech has improved now to the point where the flash is barely noticeable. So, which readers have the best experience now, in terms of flash?

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11-29-2012, 02:55 AM	#2
owly Guru Posts: 729 Karma: 3822612 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sweden Device: Paperwhite 2, Kobo Aura H2O	Most new e-bookreaders now have partial refresh which means you only get the black flash every 6 pages or so (often the amount can be adjusted).

11-29-2012, 03:21 AM	#3
Joy736 Addict Posts: 311 Karma: 1078442 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Netherlands Device: Kindle Paperwhite	The Sony Prst2 never has a flash. And that's ofcourse very nice to have.

11-29-2012, 05:10 AM	#6
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	It's much less noticeable on any of the modern readers than the older ones. On the Kindle Paperwhite, for example, it's much less noticeable than on the older Kindle Keyboard.

11-29-2012, 02:08 PM	#7
Shopaholic Cockatoo Mom! Posts: 1,509 Karma: 1841741 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: PW4, Kobo: A1, Clara, Libra 2, iPad Pro 11, iPad Mini	The flash on the T2 is no different than the T1. It's there & it's noticeable. I looked at it in the store when it first came out & it was no different. It's just as noticeable.

11-29-2012, 02:54 PM	#8
kyteflyer Wizard Posts: 1,844 Karma: 9547754 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Newcastle, Australia Device: iPhone 12 Mini	I guess I'll just have to go play with some readers and see which seem best or better than what I have. If none seem any different, I'll stick with the PRS-650. @Harry: I think you might be right about filtering the flash out... the more I use it the less I notice it. Its just that when I first bought it, a few pages in, I was ticked off enough to put it away and wonder why I bothered. I'll persist.

11-29-2012, 04:59 PM	#10
David Munch Scholar Posts: 1,009 Karma: 3999312 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Denmark Device: Kobo Libra H2O + iPad Air 4	Speaking of; why exactly do they have to flash regularly?

11-29-2012, 07:20 PM	#13
WillysJeepMan Guru Posts: 656 Karma: 2877892 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Kobo Touch, KFHD7, GTab 8.4 Pro, iPadAir 2	My Aluratek Libre Pro (same as the Ectaco JetBook) uses a non-illuminated monochrome LCD screen. All of the same crisp and clear text in sunlight without the flash.

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