Bebook versus Sony PRS-505 - Page 2

impry · 02-05-2009, 11:36 AM

Well, now I'm very curious. In the first post pox67 said that theres a difference in contrast between the PRS 505's screen and the Bebook. Other users didnt find any problem. Maybe they should use a magnifying glass to find these little dots? Its a little mysterious. (Or the PRS 505 have smaller black dots, or fewer?) One big reason was for me to buy an ebook reader is the screen's quality. /I have used many PDA's, starting a Handrspring Visor Platinum, long time ago

/.

Dave_S · 02-05-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by impry

Well, now I'm very curious. In the first post pox67 said that theres a difference in contrast between the PRS 505's screen and the Bebook. Other users didnt find any problem. Maybe they should use a magnifying glass to find these little dots? Its a little mysterious. (Or the PRS 505 have smaller black dots, or fewer?) One big reason was for me to buy an ebook reader is the screen's quality. /I have used many PDA's, starting a Handrspring Visor Platinum, long time ago

/.

It appears that all eInk screens have very tiny imperfections when viewed close enough. Here is a closup view of a Sony screen:

http://flickr.com/photos/nickgray/35218857/

I had to use a 10X magnifier to see them on my BeBook, but they are there just like the Sony screen.

impry · 02-05-2009, 12:43 PM

Its okay. So there are models, where these dots are quite visible without magnify, (like the device I have) and others, where these dots are small enough not to care about.
The problem is, that these dots (lots of) can make the screen look more greyish when its should be "white". Throwing away the great contrast, what is could give.

HarryT · 02-05-2009, 12:57 PM

I think the way that eInk "works" provides a simple explanation for this.

A "pixel" on an eInk screen is a fluid-filled cell containing lots of little particles which are black on one side, and white on the other. They "flip" from "white side up" to "black side up" and vice versa when the appropriate electric current is passed through the cell.

I think that all that's happening here is that when the screen is "white", a small fraction of the cell particles are still showing "black", hence the tiny little black dots which "dust" the screen if you look at it very closely.

That's just an "off the cuff" guess at what's happening, but I think it might well be the correct explanation.

impry · 02-05-2009, 01:27 PM

Thanks again Harry.
I've found pics here: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...hu-hu%26sa%3DN and here: http://people.cs.vt.edu/~njustn/DSC00355.JPG
They are quite reassuring.

pox67 · 02-05-2009, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

A "pixel" on an eInk screen is a fluid-filled cell containing lots of little particles which are black on one side, and white on the other. They "flip" from "white side up" to "black side up" and vice versa when the appropriate electric current is passed through the cell.

I was using the term pixel as the smallest element of a screen. Thus one of your little flippers.

Either Bebook has a bad batch of eink screens or they are noticeably inferior to the Sony PRS-505 screens. Even when the Bebook is off there is noticeable greying of the screen.

HarryT · 02-06-2009, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pox67

Either Bebook has a bad batch of eink screens or they are noticeably inferior to the Sony PRS-505 screens. Even when the Bebook is off there is noticeable greying of the screen.

Sorry to ask an obvious question, but have you directly compared the BeBook screen to that of the Sony? They use an identical screen, and all eInk screens are "grey" rather than "white".

pox67 · 02-06-2009, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Sorry to ask an obvious question, but have you directly compared the BeBook screen to that of the Sony? They use an identical screen, and all eInk screens are "grey" rather than "white".

No I haven't done a direct comparison as the Bebook was a replacement for the stolen Sony. I remember first starting up the Bebook though and thinking - that doesn't look right.

I am pretty sure the Sony uses an 8 grey scale screen where the Bebook uses a 4 grey scale so the screens are no identical.

Has anyone opened up their eink device to take a look at the screen?
Does it have a serial number or manufacturer number?

pilotbob · 02-06-2009, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pox67

I am pretty sure the Sony uses an 8 grey scale screen where the Bebook uses a 4 grey scale so the screens are no identical.

The screens are identical, made in the same factory on the same line. It is the controller (sort of like a video card) that is different.

BOb

Dave_S · 02-07-2009, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pox67

Has anyone opened up their eink device to take a look at the screen?
Does it have a serial number or manufacturer number?

All eInk displays come from the eInk Corporation.
http://www.eink.com/products/matrix/imaging_film.html

HarryT · 02-07-2009, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

The screens are identical, made in the same factory on the same line. It is the controller (sort of like a video card) that is different.

BOb

Absolutely right. ALL 6" eInk devices use the identical screen. It's the only one available - there are no alternatives.

impry · 02-17-2009, 04:35 AM

Hello again! I get an update to my question/problem. I've a really nice support in my country to my V3 (Koobe). They are really helpful. After a few letters, they sent me a possible solution! Its possible that I have to update the EPD waveform version to a newer one. I'll give it a try after work.

If anybody interested, I'll post my results, and the method how to do it.

Dave_S · 02-17-2009, 09:41 AM

EDIT Ooops, posted in wrong thread.

AlfonsVH · 02-17-2009, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by impry

If anybody interested, I'll post my results, and the method how to do it.

I'm interested

pox67 · 02-17-2009, 05:04 PM

impry,
is that update meant to clear up the screen?
If so I would be very interested!

02-17-2009, 09:41 AM	#28
Dave_S What Title ? Posts: 1,325 Karma: 1856232 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bavaria Germany Device: Sony Experia Z Ultra	EDIT Ooops, posted in wrong thread. Last edited by Dave_S; 02-17-2009 at 09:43 AM. Reason: wrong thread

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02-05-2009, 11:36 AM	#16
impry Enthusiast Posts: 32 Karma: 20 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hungary Device: Kindle Voyage, Kindle 4 (2011)	Well, now I'm very curious. In the first post pox67 said that theres a difference in contrast between the PRS 505's screen and the Bebook. Other users didnt find any problem. Maybe they should use a magnifying glass to find these little dots? Its a little mysterious. (Or the PRS 505 have smaller black dots, or fewer?) One big reason was for me to buy an ebook reader is the screen's quality. /I have used many PDA's, starting a Handrspring Visor Platinum, long time ago /.

02-05-2009, 12:43 PM	#18
impry Enthusiast Posts: 32 Karma: 20 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hungary Device: Kindle Voyage, Kindle 4 (2011)	Its okay. So there are models, where these dots are quite visible without magnify, (like the device I have) and others, where these dots are small enough not to care about. The problem is, that these dots (lots of) can make the screen look more greyish when its should be "white". Throwing away the great contrast, what is could give.

02-05-2009, 12:57 PM	#19
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,560 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I think the way that eInk "works" provides a simple explanation for this. A "pixel" on an eInk screen is a fluid-filled cell containing lots of little particles which are black on one side, and white on the other. They "flip" from "white side up" to "black side up" and vice versa when the appropriate electric current is passed through the cell. I think that all that's happening here is that when the screen is "white", a small fraction of the cell particles are still showing "black", hence the tiny little black dots which "dust" the screen if you look at it very closely. That's just an "off the cuff" guess at what's happening, but I think it might well be the correct explanation.

02-05-2009, 01:27 PM	#20
impry Enthusiast Posts: 32 Karma: 20 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hungary Device: Kindle Voyage, Kindle 4 (2011)	Thanks again Harry. I've found pics here: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...hu-hu%26sa%3DN and here: http://people.cs.vt.edu/~njustn/DSC00355.JPG They are quite reassuring.

02-17-2009, 04:35 AM	#27
impry Enthusiast Posts: 32 Karma: 20 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hungary Device: Kindle Voyage, Kindle 4 (2011)	Hello again! I get an update to my question/problem. I've a really nice support in my country to my V3 (Koobe). They are really helpful. After a few letters, they sent me a possible solution! Its possible that I have to update the EPD waveform version to a newer one. I'll give it a try after work. If anybody interested, I'll post my results, and the method how to do it.

02-17-2009, 05:04 PM	#30
pox67 Connoisseur Posts: 52 Karma: 12 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Australia Device: Sony PRS-505 (stolen), Bebook	impry, is that update meant to clear up the screen? If so I would be very interested!