EInk shows off their latest developer's kit [video]

[Gaurnim]

I've tried with your link, JSWolf, and I get the same message :
"We're sorry, but this video is no longer available."

It may have something to do with the proxy at work, I'll try and have a look at home tonight.

[zelda_pinwheel]

i can see it gaurnim, so i confirm you should try from home tonight.

[bbusybookworm]

It Look really intresting, especially the fast refresh and the pen Input.

I wish they had shot the Pen Input from the side, so we could see what the actual delay was between writing and appearing on screen. While it looks pretty fast, looks can be decieving.

Still Anyone have an idea as to when devices with this will be appearing for sale? Mid 2009/2010?

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by bbusybookworm

It Look really intresting, especially the fast refresh and the pen Input.

I wish they had shot the Pen Input from the side, so we could see what the actual delay was between writing and appearing on screen. While it looks pretty fast, looks can be decieving.

Still Anyone have an idea as to when devices with this will be appearing for sale? Mid 2009/2010?

There is speculation that the Sony 700 already has this controller. They may not have rolled out all the features yet.

Dale

[Dylrob]

Originally Posted by igorsk

He says they're much whiter and have 16 gray levels.

Isn't the number of shades the sole property of the controller? I mean the iLiad manages 16 shades using a first generation screen.

[bbusybookworm]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

There is speculation that the Sony 700 already has this controller. They may not have rolled out all the features yet.

Dale

I don't know. The screen in the developers kit is definitely refreshing faster then the screen in the few videos we've seen of the 700.

Also, the Pen looks like a Wacom style pen, as opposed to the Sony's static stylus, but again not enough info.

It could be, but until someone get their hands on one and does a indept reciew / teardown we can only guess.

[Gogolo]

If find the video interesting because the refresh of the whole screen (after the Foto of the woman) is about as fast as a vizplex. But I suppose they manage to get very fast partial screen refreshes.

So technology may be almost the same as vizplex, but the controller is better....

Gogolo

Edit: Here's einks releasing plans:

The 6" kit with 3-bit greyscale is now available and shipping. Other sizes will be available in late 2008 / early 2009.

http://www.eink.com/kits/amepd.html

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

There is speculation that the Sony 700 already has this controller.

From New Sony Reader - and a renewed commitment By Paul Biba, on the speed of the screen:

A representative of E-ink, who makes the screen, was at the event and I cornered him and asked him how Sony accomplished this. He said it was a combination of Sony proprietary technology and some small improvements in the E-ink screen. Primarily, he said, this is a result of Sony’s expertise in writing an optimized driver and in designing the display chip and optimizing timing issues.

This seems to imply that the Epson controller isn't being used in the PRS-700.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

From New Sony Reader - and a renewed commitment By Paul Biba, on the speed of the screen: This seems to imply that the Epson controller isn't being used in the PRS-700.

Interesting. The quote seems to say that Sony designed their own controller. If this is true then it would the a first for them. Certainly they designed the driver, but I think they bought a controller from somebody unless they are designing complex IC's these days. The market must be bigger than I thought.

Dale

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

If this is true then it would the a first for them.

Was the issue of the PRS-505's controller ever settled? It is a FPGA, but perhaps it is still the Metronome controller, see Naked PRS-505 pics.

[igorsk]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

Was the issue of the PRS-505's controller ever settled? It is a FPGA, but perhaps it is still the Metronome controller, see Naked PRS-505 pics.

My guess is that Metronome is implemented using FPGA. Sony just didn't bother putting a sticker on the chip. Another hint is that the E-Ink's part number reads 8T125100A and the driver in PRS-505 calls the controller "8-Track". BTW, the driver is copyrighted to E-Ink too.

[Dylrob]

Originally Posted by Gogolo

If find the video interesting because the refresh of the whole screen (after the Foto of the woman) is about as fast as a vizplex. But I suppose they manage to get very fast partial screen refreshes.

So technology may be almost the same as vizplex, but the controller is better....

It's also worth noting that only the latter demo was specifically stated to be in 4-bit (16 shade) grayscale. So perhaps the higher refresh is only possible at lower "color" depth?

[Dave Berk]

http://www.wickedlocal.com/cambridge...paper-industry

[Gogolo]

But there is one point when it comes to animation and video on e-ink:

The advantage of e-ink is the no-power consumtion. The more it goes to animation and video, the more battery life will be affected.

Gogolo

[Dylrob]

Originally Posted by Gogolo

But there is one point when it comes to animation and video on e-ink:

The advantage of e-ink is the no-power consumtion. The more it goes to animation and video, the more battery life will be affected.

Gogolo

That's a good point. Well, at least since it's only a partial screen refresh, the static parts will remain in a zero power state.