Onyx Boox as monitor

[mdp]

The video that shows the flashing is attached here. (Check post in the previous page!)

Again, I have to create a .zip in order to upload.

I encourage (some of) you to try the modified "Monitor" apk attached in my immediately previous post and see whether you experience the same.

[mdp]

Originally Posted by mdp

The video that shows the flashing is attached here. (Check post in the previous page!)

More clear videos of the flashing. In A2 it shows a different flashing, but it is still clearly flashing.
This is the chief problem with the distributed HDMI based solution. It's supposed to be good for your eyes, you cannot have that disturbing interference.

I suppose that it can be fixed, some way or another ( = before or after processing the video input), but I did not see the monitor mentioned in the changelog of the later firmware versions - I am still using the shipped one. It should.

[sogaiu]

Originally Posted by mdp

I encourage (some of) you to try the modified "Monitor" apk attached in my immediately previous post and see whether you experience the same.

It seems there was a local increase in courage

Results:

Monitor MOD (Normal)
- didn't notice background flickering
- noticed trails for the pointer as well as "residuals" for video (consequently hard to watch)

Monitor MOD (A2) / Monitor
- noticed background flickering if pointer is moved, something is typed (with results on screen) -- so possibly when any change at all, whole screen updates
- did not notice trails or residuals as mentioned above for Monitor MOD (Normal)

For reference, I didn't get the feeling that I observed the kind of flashing demonstrated in the glitch, fractal, and gnome videos.

[Jayjee]

Originally Posted by mdp

More clear videos of the flashing. In A2 it shows a different flashing, but it is still clearly flashing.
This is the chief problem with the distributed HDMI based solution. It's supposed to be good for your eyes, you cannot have that disturbing interference.

I suppose that it can be fixed, some way or another ( = before or after processing the video input), but I did not see the monitor mentioned in the changelog of the later firmware versions - I am still using the shipped one. It should.

I also notice a flickering when using the device as monitor (hdmi), no matter whether I use your modified app or the original, when it displays the windows desktop (with a windows photo in the background). However, I do not notice flashing / flickering when I put Word or a relatively simple background on the Max2, I don't notice it anymore. So writing a text (which would be one the things that I would "delegate" to the Max2, seems to be working ok.

[mdp]

Originally Posted by Jayjee

I also notice a flickering when using the device as monitor (hdmi), no matter whether I use your modified app or the original, when it displays the windows desktop (with a windows photo in the background). However, I do not notice flashing / flickering when I put Word or a relatively simple background on the Max2, I don't notice it anymore. So writing a text (which would be one the things that I would "delegate" to the Max2, seems to be working ok.

I assume that you use normal (Grayscale Update) mode with mine, right?

Ok, I will try more situations: different OS, screen content etc.
Also: I thought I may go to a mall and start connecting the Max2 to the laptops on sale ; )
(Because I was wondering if it is my HDMI source)

Please post if you find a consistent behaviour.

[mdp]

Originally Posted by sogaiu

- noticed trails for the pointer as well as "residuals" for video (consequently hard to watch)

For the ghosting you see, I plan to further modify and post here a version that:
-- on tap on eg NW corner, changes mode (GU, A2, Regal - if the latter will make sense);
-- on tap on eg the NE corner, refreshes the screen.

[inudaisho]

oh Great work..
but the mini HDMI port of my Max2 is dead and I can not test it...

[mzan]

Originally Posted by mdp

Ok, I will try more situations: different OS, screen content etc.
Also: I thought I may go to a mall and start connecting the Max2 to the laptops on sale ; )
(Because I was wondering if it is my HDMI source)

I tried on Windows, NVIDIA card, with different resolutions (2200x1650, 2104x1560), different zoom factors, and I didn't experience any flickering and it seems perfect.

So many thanks for the mod! In this mode text readability is perfect, scrolling speed and cursor movement acceptable, but delay during editing is too much, so I edit without waiting the feedback from the screen. In any case if I pause 1 second during editing for thinking it is good because the text is immediately readable.

The 2200x1650 resolution is not used completely for viewing content, because some zoom factor must be set, otherwise the text (expecially code) is not readable.

I will test later on Linux, and different video card, and I will report again.

BTW as standalone PDF reader, note taker and so on it is an incredible product. As monitor up to date I expected something of better, but with this mod it will be probably (barely) acceptable.

[mzan]

Originally Posted by mzan

I tried on Windows, NVIDIA card, with different resolutions (2200x1650, 2104x1560), different zoom factors, and I didn't experience any flickering and it seems perfect.

and it is updated to the last firmware.

[mdp]

Originally Posted by mzan

I tried on Windows, NVIDIA card, with different resolutions (2200x1650, 2104x1560), different zoom factors, and I didn't experience any flickering and it seems perfect.

So many thanks for the mod! In this mode text readability is perfect, scrolling speed and cursor movement acceptable, but delay during editing is too much, so I edit without waiting the feedback from the screen. In any case if I pause 1 second during editing for thinking it is good because the text is immediately readable.

The 2200x1650 resolution is not used completely for viewing content, because some zoom factor must be set, otherwise the text (expecially code) is not readable.

I will test later on Linux, and different video card, and I will report again.

BTW as standalone PDF reader, note taker and so on it is an incredible product. As monitor up to date I expected something of better, but with this mod it will be probably (barely) acceptable.

Excellent!
When the "quick toggle mode" will be enabled in the software, you will be able to use A2 in dynamic situations and tap for Normal/GU for static situations.

Since I may be doing a few more tweaks in the weekend, is there any (better if quick and doable) feature you would like to see?

Originally Posted by mzan

The 2200x1650 resolution is not used completely for viewing content, because some zoom factor must be set, otherwise the text (expecially code) is not readable.

You should set an appropriate resolution, like 1600x1200, and/or define a visual profile (font sizes, DPI etc.). On my desktop I am keeping a user devoted to these tests.

EDIT: rendering quality will be much better if you use a high resolution, like 2200x1650 or the similar one the HDMI uses, and enlarge the fonts etc. If you acquire a small input and then enlarge, you get a blurrier render.

[mdp]

As anticipated, I produced a new modification of the original Onyx "Monitor" application.

This one reacts upon touch in the four corners of the screen, as follows:
-- NW corner, NE corner: refresh the screen;
-- SW corner: set "Normal" mode (Regal);
-- SE corner: set "A2" mode ("Fast Mode");
-- middle (elsewhere): open menu, just like in the original.

+--------------------------------+
| Refr. |                | Refr. |
|       |                |       |
|-------|                |-------|
|                                |
|              Menu              |
|                                |
|-------|                |-------|
| Norm. |                |  A2   |
|       |                |       |
+--------------------------------+

I have to say, with these modifications I find the "(HDMI) Monitor" capabilities quite satisfactory, unless one asks the impossible... The A2 mode is fast enough, (although to use the mouse cursor with precision remains not the easiest), and the Normal mode has the satisfactory rendering quality (although it is advised to keep a high resolution to avoid softened edges). You can switch to A2 or Normal any time by tapping on the relevant corner.

What is left to do is an implementation of the touchscreen as a pointing device, so instead of being forced to a mouse (pad etc.) one could use the pen or finger to interact with the desktop icons, application controls etc. As Onyx recommends to connect the USB cable anyway...

I am still experiencing a "pulsating" effect in A2 and a "flashing stripes" effect in Normal mode, but it is comforting to know that "it's just my system" (further confirmations appreciated).

I attach here the modified APK (zipped to upload it).
Disclaimer: I take no responsibility etc.

I also attach the file I injected to make the modification, for the interested.

[Randy11]

Bravo Mdp

Do you have some videos of demonstration ?

[mdp]

Originally Posted by Randy11

Do you have some videos of demonstration ?

I guess I can produce one tomorrow...
It may probably give a better idea of proper rendering in Normal mode - maybe a hint, since I will not record at "pixels for free" resolution. The interaction mechanism I described should be clear.

On another subtopic, I verified that on Windows I do not have that flashing effect. Nonetheless, since it supposedly happens as soon as a minimal variation of the input occurs, and it seems to involve peculiar areas, I still believe that a stabilizer, or just taking a better look at the phenomenon, may be a good idea.

[Randy11]

Thanks ! I'm waiting

[sogaiu]

Here are some quick test results:

- The four corners + elsewhere tapping functionality works well here
- So we can observe similar artifacts, I suggest discussing particular videos. For example, in the following, full-screened:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPBSB1HLNLo

in "Normal" I see the speaker (in the top right corner) with him and his background flashing (along with occasionally other portions flashing, but not much). Perhaps that is similar to what you describe.

In "A2", I don't notice a pulsating effect, though I definitely appreciate the top north corners tapping functionality for an occasional refresh

In the following video (also full-screened) in "A2", I'm not certain but I sense some kind of flickering (may be it is pulsating) in the background areas (may be it's most noticeable where the color is lighter?):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eyhCTvrEtE

Does that match what you observe?


P.S. The testing was all done here on some Linux distribution.