Aura Frame covering the screen

[Jellby]

I had read how great it was that the screen of the Aura is completely flat. I agree, it looks nice and it's probably cleaner. But the outer black frame still casts some shadow on the screen and worse: it covers the bottom few pixels of the screen and I can only see them if I "peek around the corner".

With some decent margins this is no problem, but I just tried koreader and approx. half of the minibar is invisible. With the normal bar, in landscape orientation, the first letter of the author's name is almost completely hidden under the frame.

Is this normal or should I consider my unit defective?

[TechniSol]

Let me see if I got this right... You're running software on a device not sanctioned or designed by the manufacturer which apparently fails to observe any whitespace limitations and you want to know if that makes your device defective. I strongly suggest you explain the above fully to Kobo and ask them. I'm sure they'd appreciate a good laugh too!

[Jellby]

No, of course that's not what I meant. The examples with koreader are merely to illustrate what the problem is. With the default reader it's not so easy to observe, because the bottom margin is usually larger (and cannot be modified), but I could also see that the bottom edge of some covers is covered by the frame (I guess this happens with all covers, it's just that I notice with some).

I will try to create some sample image/document to demonstrate the problem and allow others to try.

[TechniSol]

Not what you meant? Darn sure was what you said...

It's far likelier that Kobo designed the units with an acceptable tolerance for the accuracy with which the screen matting could be applied and that in some cases a full bleed image might approach or even be cut off by the matte. I couldn't image that really being an issue unless it affects the reading experience with their intended software running. That is likely why their software respects the border tolerances except when displaying a full screen image.

[roger64]

Originally Posted by Jellby

Is this normal or should I consider my unit defective?

I have no answer for Aura but with Koreader on my Kobo Glo, the mini-bar is just perfect, either in landscape or portrait mode. True it's a matter of millimeter.

[Jellby]

Originally Posted by TechniSol

except when displaying a full screen image.

The fact that there is at least one situation where it matters means that it's not a perfect solution.

Anyway, my question was: "Is this normal or should I consider my unit defective?". From your replies I gather that it's normal (and annoying, if you ask me)

[TechniSol]

I didn't say it was a perfect solution, only that if it doesn't affect the reading experience, IMHO, then it's hard to make the case for it being a defect... I think you have to realize that fitting things together perfectly in manufacturing is a rare occurance, instead one establishes acceptable tolerances and "cheats" to give the illusion of ultimate precision. All that said, if you can find others with the same device without the problem and it really bugs you then ask for an exchange, but don't base your premise on how software written by someone else looks on Kobo's hardware -that's a bit unfair to say the least. The issue could easily be the third party reader app running on your device, not the device.

[Jellby]

I've tried with the two attached images, one is 1014x758, the other is 1024x768 (just in case, because I'm not sure what's the real screen resolution). The 1014x758 one looks better, more crisp, so I guess this is the actual resolution.

But the bottom and right borders (in portrait) are cut out.

Top edge: About 2 pixels extra wide space outside the picture.
Right edge: I see only 3 lines, that's ~4 pixels hidden under the bezel.
Bottom edge: All five lines (9-10 pixels) are hidden under the bezel.
Left edge: This one looks perfectly aligned.

Is this a problem in normal reading? Probably not, but it's annoying when viewing images in full screen, sometimes there are important details near the edges. Besides, it means that the usable screen is not really 1014x758, as advertised, but rather ~1004x754.

Originally Posted by TechniSol

I think you have to realize that fitting things together perfectly in manufacturing is a rare occurance, instead one establishes acceptable tolerances and "cheats" to give the illusion of ultimate precision.

I don't expect perfect fitting, but I'd prefer extra white space rather than hidden pixels.

but don't base your premise on how software written by someone else looks on Kobo's hardware

This test was done with the default image viewer, no third party. (Well, I have some patches, but I don't think they affect image viewing.)

[TechniSol]

Hmmmm. Lets see, put another way 10 out of 1014 represents an error of less than one percent... Put another way, we can in fact choose to be happy. Yet another way, when, oh when, will I learn not to argue minutae with persons refusing to be satisfied. I wish you well in your journey to find perfection. I get it, you're right, it's not perfect.

I'd spare no effort and return it immediately. In fact, I would insist on my money back and purchase another brand entirely to ensure no further trouble! How dare they inflict such an onerous burden upon you.

[Markismus]

I have just written a fix for the Kobo Aura for koreader: see github

If you don't want to wait for the next release, you could just copy the mentioned script contents.

[Jellby]

Excellent. Would the offset and size be user-configurable? As TechniSol said, the manufacturing is not perfect, and I guess different may need different settings.

[Markismus]

Originally Posted by Jellby

Excellent. Would the offset and size be user-configurable? As TechniSol said, the manufacturing is not perfect, and I guess different may need different settings.

As in where do I hack the scripts, then it is completely configurable. The commit files are here. The hard coded offsets and screensizes can of course be altered.

Were still thinking whether we want to implement a menu entry for it. To take part in the discussion or or even code it, look here.

[Ken Maltby]

Originally Posted by Markismus

As in where do I hack the scripts, then it is completely configurable. The commit files are here. The hard coded offsets and screensizes can of course be altered.

Were still thinking whether we want to make a menu entry for it. To take part in the discussion or or even code it, look here.

I view the extensive use of human readable scripts, as the advanced user's form of "configurability", the use of configuration files as for "Semi-advanced users", and "patching" compiled code as for the seriously disturbed. For this kind of "one time" or only on update setting, I think that a configuration file is as "user friendly" as you would need to go. (Just don't overwrite it on update.) It is intended as a unit specific adjustment, only applied to effected units.

Luck;
Ken

[ipse]

Originally Posted by Markismus

I have just written a fix for the Kobo Aura for koreader: see github

If you don't want to wait for the next release, you could just copy the mentioned script contents.

Appreciate the change...not that we (the Aura owners) are hard to please or to "satisfy" as some of the posts in this thread seem to indicate (you know who you are Mister ) but if it can be fixed...why not?

Thanks! (I really need to stop reading your name as "Marksismus" )

[Markismus]

@ipse It would indeed destroy the pun intended.