PRS-650 All PRS’ screens are the same?

prsita · 06-18-2011, 04:51 PM

I apologize in advance for the errors contained in this message. I live in Italy and my english is rusty.

I bought two months ago a PRS 650 (I was lucky to find one, since even in Europe are fifficult to find) and I was very happy with it, except for two things:

1) the character (I solved the problem with PRS+ and inserting a number of style sheets .css; my favorite character is Lexia Dama, but I find that the character Nimbus suggested by a member of this forum is great),

2) a gray screen.

Needing a more portable player, I recently purchased a PRS 350 and, as soon as I received it, my surprise was great: the bottom of the screen is not as gray as the PRS 650, but much wither (almost white) and the contrast is much higher.

The difference is noticeable even at a distance and was thus perceived by many people to whom I showed the two devices.

I know that the resolution of the PRS 350 is slightly higher, but the coloring of the the back of screen can not depend on this factor.

I read the forums (about the new Nook) complained that several owner of PRS that their screens were significantly different. According to a reader that depends on the fact that the specifications of the Sony are more tolerant than those of B & N or Amazon.

Now I use the PRS 350 at home, despite the fact that the 650 has a larger screen. You have found differences in the models that have occurred? And do you think I can ask to Sony for a replacemant of the screen?

P.S.: I also have a Kindle 3 that I gave to my mother and the screen has a screen (very light gray) similar to the PRS 350 which j have purchased. This confirms that there is a problem of uniformity in screens of PRS. It may be that the difficulty of finding PRS depends on the difficulty for the Sony to find uniform screens?

CommonReader · 06-18-2011, 06:15 PM

I have yet to see any facts that support the claim that Sony is more tolerant in its specifications than other manufacturers. Apparently there is some production tolerance and you may have the bad luck that your screen is at the limit of the tolerances. In that case you have to decide if the screen is acceptable for you or if you rather prefer to exchange it for a different reader.

Poppaea · 06-18-2011, 09:08 PM

I got both and mine are on par.

Kindle uses a different and darker font. Thats it. You shouldn't believe everything you read on the Internet. Or at least believe in the more believable of claims. Here is a good place to start if you are to believe everything you read:

http://www.alien-ufos.com/

vxf · 06-18-2011, 09:27 PM

I see no differences in brightness/contrast between my 950 and 350. But the higher dpi count of the 350 is noticeable.

Poppaea · 06-18-2011, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vxf

I see no differences in brightness/contrast between my 950 and 350. But the higher dpi count of the 350 is noticeable.

Yes, this I notice too! I read the XS font size on the 350 and the S font size on the 650 due to the higher dpi. This way the 350 carries the same amount of text per screen for me. Weird, but good

carpetmojo · 06-19-2011, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poppaea

I got both and mine are on par.
Kindle uses a different and darker font. Thats it. You shouldn't believe everything you read on the Internet. Or at least believe in the more believable of claims. Here is a good place to start if you are to believe everything you read:
http://www.alien-ufos.com/

Excellent, Poppaea !

Re: the darker font, why not "adjust view - custom ". I find that improves things greatly....

prsita · 06-24-2011, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poppaea

I got both and mine are on par.

Kindle uses a different and darker font. Thats it. You shouldn't believe everything you read on the Internet. Or at least believe in the more believable of claims. Here is a good place to start if you are to believe everything you read:

http://www.alien-ufos.com/

J have the impression that someone in the forum is always working to substain, in any case, the reasons of Sony. Lawyers of Sony, even if they are not payied by this company.

J like Sony, but not to the point to deny the evidence. There are many discussions in this forum pointing out that the screens of the new PRS series (at least of the first models) are not uniform (some of them are more gray than others). Is not a matter of beliving in UFO, but just to look at the screens.

In any case, as soon j will have time, j will pubblish a photo of my PRS 350 and of my PRS 650. It will be probably ... the first photo of an UFO published in this forum.

lkkmaths · 06-25-2011, 05:14 AM

I totally agree with prista regarding the observations of 650 vs 350.

I also have a 350 and a 650. Besides I have a Kindle 3.

IMHO, 650 is a wonderful reader. You will be very happy with it if you do not have a 350 or K3 to compare with.

But when I put them side by side, I just find that the fonts on my 650 is not crisp enough, the contrast is not sharp enough, the reading experience is not good enough, .... . In short, I am disappointed.

I have tried may different fonts on my 650, read it under different lighting, persuading myself that the 650 is as crisp as 350 or K3 and my purchase is justified, but to no avail.

My only conclusion is that either my 650 is a lemon, or the quality control of 650 is not good enough, or 650 is simply not on a par with 350 or K3 (in terms of fonts sharpness and contrast). Which is which, I really don't know.

The 350, though, is a wonderful little gem. I like it very much.

Poppaea · 06-25-2011, 07:51 AM

The 350 and the 650 have the same dpi which makes the 350 crisper.

I fail to see why you think this a quality control problem.

sonyreaderfan · 06-25-2011, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lkkmaths

But when I put them side by side, I just find that the fonts on my 650 is not crisp enough, the contrast is not sharp enough, the reading experience is not good enough, .... . In short, I am disappointed.

I have tried may different fonts on my 650, read it under different lighting, persuading myself that the 650 is as crisp as 350 or K3 and my purchase is justified, but to no avail.

My only conclusion is that either my 650 is a lemon, or the quality control of 650 is not good enough, or 650 is simply not on a par with 350 or K3 (in terms of fonts sharpness and contrast). Which is which, I really don't know.

It has been mentioned already. The 350 looks better because it has higher pixel density. 650 and 350 have the same resolution, but 350's screen is 1 inch smaller, hence higher pixel density.

Pixel density is the marketing behind iPhone 4's Retina Display. It has a pixel density of 320 ppi. That's why iPhone 4's display looks better than iPhone 3's. You wouldn't say the iPhone 3's lcd screen is defective.

See this for reference.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of..._pixel_density

lkkmaths · 06-25-2011, 10:02 AM

I don't say 650 has control problem. I just wonder if mine has control problem or if it is a lemon. My experience with Sony readers is limited to the 2 readers I own. I cannot say anything with authority.

I know the specifications well. I understand that 350 has a higher dpi than 650 or K3, and that may be the reason why 350 looks crisper.

But technical specifications are for reference only. What is more important is how one really feels when one do the reading. Yet feelings are subjective.

Some reports that 350 and 650 are on a par. Some says that 350 is a little better and some says that it is much better. But I never see one in the forum says that 350 looks less crisp than 650.

To those who have 650 which is equally good as 350, congratulation. I envy you, for I really want a sharp and crisp Sony 6-inches reader.

But I really feel that my 650 cannot compare to 350. Even when I install the same font on both readers, the one in 350 simply looks better.

I don't know if I am biased or the little extra dpi in 350 can do the magic.

My primary reader now is of course 350. And I enjoy it.

06-18-2011, 04:51 PM	#1
prsita Enthusiast Posts: 32 Karma: 103792 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: PRS 650	All PRS’ screens are the same? I apologize in advance for the errors contained in this message. I live in Italy and my english is rusty. I bought two months ago a PRS 650 (I was lucky to find one, since even in Europe are fifficult to find) and I was very happy with it, except for two things: 1) the character (I solved the problem with PRS+ and inserting a number of style sheets .css; my favorite character is Lexia Dama, but I find that the character Nimbus suggested by a member of this forum is great), 2) a gray screen. Needing a more portable player, I recently purchased a PRS 350 and, as soon as I received it, my surprise was great: the bottom of the screen is not as gray as the PRS 650, but much wither (almost white) and the contrast is much higher. The difference is noticeable even at a distance and was thus perceived by many people to whom I showed the two devices. I know that the resolution of the PRS 350 is slightly higher, but the coloring of the the back of screen can not depend on this factor. I read the forums (about the new Nook) complained that several owner of PRS that their screens were significantly different. According to a reader that depends on the fact that the specifications of the Sony are more tolerant than those of B & N or Amazon. Now I use the PRS 350 at home, despite the fact that the 650 has a larger screen. You have found differences in the models that have occurred? And do you think I can ask to Sony for a replacemant of the screen? P.S.: I also have a Kindle 3 that I gave to my mother and the screen has a screen (very light gray) similar to the PRS 350 which j have purchased. This confirms that there is a problem of uniformity in screens of PRS. It may be that the difficulty of finding PRS depends on the difficulty for the Sony to find uniform screens? Last edited by prsita; 06-18-2011 at 04:54 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
These new screens	TGS	Sony Reader	2	11-15-2010 05:00 AM
6" screens of comparable contrast to the PRS-300's (besides 505)	Starter	Sony Reader	5	11-09-2009 09:33 AM
PRS-700 Different screens than PRS-505?	fafaforza	Sony Reader	3	09-28-2009 07:28 PM
Ended Original Brand New PRS-500 Screens	ron0909	Flea Market	5	05-30-2009 12:59 PM
New screens are on the prs-500 are available	mattgam	Sony Reader	40	08-09-2007 04:55 PM

06-18-2011, 06:15 PM	#2
CommonReader Fanatic Posts: 528 Karma: 2530000 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Sony PRS-T3, PRS-650, Vaio Tap 11, iPad Mini	I have yet to see any facts that support the claim that Sony is more tolerant in its specifications than other manufacturers. Apparently there is some production tolerance and you may have the bad luck that your screen is at the limit of the tolerances. In that case you have to decide if the screen is acceptable for you or if you rather prefer to exchange it for a different reader.

06-18-2011, 09:08 PM	#3
Poppaea Lucifer's Bat Posts: 2,577 Karma: 20638583 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Earth/Berlin Device: Kobo Libra Colour	I got both and mine are on par. Kindle uses a different and darker font. Thats it. You shouldn't believe everything you read on the Internet. Or at least believe in the more believable of claims. Here is a good place to start if you are to believe everything you read: http://www.alien-ufos.com/

06-18-2011, 09:27 PM	#4
vxf Guru Posts: 944 Karma: 1490348 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Norman, OK Device: Sony PRS 350, 900, 950; Kindles (ALL of them!); Kobo Aura One	I see no differences in brightness/contrast between my 950 and 350. But the higher dpi count of the 350 is noticeable.

06-25-2011, 05:14 AM	#8
lkkmaths Member Posts: 20 Karma: 17910 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kindle 3; PRS-350	I totally agree with prista regarding the observations of 650 vs 350. I also have a 350 and a 650. Besides I have a Kindle 3. IMHO, 650 is a wonderful reader. You will be very happy with it if you do not have a 350 or K3 to compare with. But when I put them side by side, I just find that the fonts on my 650 is not crisp enough, the contrast is not sharp enough, the reading experience is not good enough, .... . In short, I am disappointed. I have tried may different fonts on my 650, read it under different lighting, persuading myself that the 650 is as crisp as 350 or K3 and my purchase is justified, but to no avail. My only conclusion is that either my 650 is a lemon, or the quality control of 650 is not good enough, or 650 is simply not on a par with 350 or K3 (in terms of fonts sharpness and contrast). Which is which, I really don't know. The 350, though, is a wonderful little gem. I like it very much.

06-25-2011, 07:51 AM	#9
Poppaea Lucifer's Bat Posts: 2,577 Karma: 20638583 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Earth/Berlin Device: Kobo Libra Colour	The 350 and the 650 have the same dpi which makes the 350 crisper. I fail to see why you think this a quality control problem.

06-25-2011, 10:02 AM	#11
lkkmaths Member Posts: 20 Karma: 17910 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kindle 3; PRS-350	I don't say 650 has control problem. I just wonder if mine has control problem or if it is a lemon. My experience with Sony readers is limited to the 2 readers I own. I cannot say anything with authority. I know the specifications well. I understand that 350 has a higher dpi than 650 or K3, and that may be the reason why 350 looks crisper. But technical specifications are for reference only. What is more important is how one really feels when one do the reading. Yet feelings are subjective. Some reports that 350 and 650 are on a par. Some says that 350 is a little better and some says that it is much better. But I never see one in the forum says that 350 looks less crisp than 650. To those who have 650 which is equally good as 350, congratulation. I envy you, for I really want a sharp and crisp Sony 6-inches reader. But I really feel that my 650 cannot compare to 350. Even when I install the same font on both readers, the one in 350 simply looks better. I don't know if I am biased or the little extra dpi in 350 can do the magic. My primary reader now is of course 350. And I enjoy it.

Advert

Advert