Aura NEW Kobo Aura Impressions Thread! - Page 22

llcj · 09-24-2013, 10:12 AM

Wasn't a blurry font one of the complaints people had with the capacitive touch screen on the KPW?

I'm wondering if the diamond pattern is related to the knew refresh technology. I saw it on the Aura I looked at last week. I also remember a reviewer mentioning it.

mystika1 · 09-24-2013, 10:14 AM

In most of the side by side pics and videos, I find the glo appears to have clearer fonts.(for my eyes anyway) I am sticking with my glo for now. I can't see myself spending more money on another reader when I really can't see that much improvement. Now the larger screen of the HD on the other hand...is drawing me in.

Penny

slantybard · 09-24-2013, 12:04 PM

I too noticed that the stock fonts are not sharp. Typegenius can help in correcting this, but I found that the best solution was to add a custom font which I optimized for my default reading size and weight (essentially added 60 em of weight to Caecilia (started with medium base font) and scaled by 105%). This made a huge difference in font sharpness on my Aura.

As an aside I also had to do this with my KPW1. I am not sure why, but every e-reader I have had has required me to add my own modified font. For some reason, none of the e-reader companies seem to hire decent font developers to customize their fonts for how the devices render them in e-ink.

I too have noticed the diamond pattern. I think it is from the light diffuser layer. IMHO, It is noticeable in sunlight or bright indoor spotlights only when you go looking for it. I haven't seen it when the Aura light is turned on.

Overally, I still think the decreased contrast of the Aura outweighs the splotchy lighting of the KPW1 (and it's decreased customizability).

tls · 09-24-2013, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4ll4n

Am I the only person here who thinks the Aura's fonts are not as sharp as the Glo's?
Also, this diamond pattern thing is definitely visible to the naked eye for me, even not in direct sunlight.

Just to be sure I'm not dreaming this I took photos through a usb microscope.

Exactly the same font settings for both devices.

Is my Aura a dud?

No, I experienced the same things. You might see a couple of posts above where I referred to the fonts as "washed out". I managed to get them sharper by using Advanced settings, but even the best setting wasn't as clear as the Kindle - and the result was exactly the same as the pictures you are showing.

With the eInk not being as clear, the fuzzy anti-glare coating, and the slightly duller black - I really noticed the the Kindle was better (although the light on the Kindle is terrible). I was beginning to think I was the only one who noticed it...

4ll4n · 09-24-2013, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slantybard

I too noticed that the stock fonts are not sharp. Typegenius can help in correcting this, but I found that the best solution was to add a custom font which I optimized for my default reading size and weight (essentially added 60 em of weight to Caecilia (started with medium base font) and scaled by 105%). This made a huge difference in font sharpness on my Aura.

Sounds like I'm going to start looking into custom fonts

I had no idea that could be done.
Goes hunting for tutorials...

Quote:

Originally Posted by tls

I was beginning to think I was the only one who noticed it...

Ditto. I was seriously wondering if I was the person with the most defective Aura on the planet! Turns out, that's just the way the screen is. Shame really as I was expecting much better. I love the look of the Aura and the integration with Pocket but the Glo's unlit screen beats it hands down.

vice-versa · 09-24-2013, 01:22 PM

I went during lunch time to the FNAC store to have a look at this new device.
First thing : the people at FNAC didn't know they had it in stock

They knew nothing about it and even one of them kept believing I was talking about the Aura HD (and then why was I asking to see one in flesh as there was an Aura HD for demo)
So one of their people went down to fetch one in the backstore so that I could have a look. Impossible to manipulate it as it was not set (impossible to bypass the registration with the 2.9 firmware ?). But I could have it in hands : nice feeling for the back, the (very small) diamond pattern of the screen can be seen, but I don't think it could bother me, no glare that was a deal breaker in my point of view. Smaller than my Glo, a bit greyer when the light is off. I was fearing that it would feel as if the actual screen was behind a "glassed" frame but it doesn't has this feeling at all. It doesn't feel either like a tablet or a smartphone. For the time being, I was please with what I saw.
I'll have another look tomorrow or the next day (when the FNAC people will have found their ID and password to set it, as they where asking each other who had them

I wonder how they can advise anybody, about ereader buying, as they seem to know nothing about them : I gave them tips about what was knew about this one, they just thought it was either the Kobo Aura HD, or a smallest Aura HD, it's just a pity, even if this store is a small one ! )

bartveld · 09-24-2013, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4ll4n

Am I the only person here who thinks the Aura's fonts are not as sharp as the Glo's?
Also, this diamond pattern thing is definitely visible to the naked eye for me, even not in direct sunlight.

Just to be sure I'm not dreaming this I took photos through a usb microscope.

Thank you, at last a photo showing what everybody sees but me. So once again I looked and now I noticed the diamond pattern during page flips. But only then...

Kaitou Ace · 09-24-2013, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slantybard

I too noticed that the stock fonts are not sharp. Typegenius can help in correcting this, but I found that the best solution was to add a custom font which I optimized for my default reading size and weight (essentially added 60 em of weight to Caecilia (started with medium base font) and scaled by 105%). This made a huge difference in font sharpness on my Aura.

Caecilia is also my preferred reading font. Could I trouble you for a tutorial of how exactly these changes are accomplished? I'm interested in giving that a shot as well.

cr3nk · 09-24-2013, 07:16 PM

Can anyone who thinks they got a perfectly lit screen post a pic of their Aura?

Wanted to see if there are actually such units out there or I should just return my blotchy and uneven unit back and get an Aura HD (though I'll miss the size and Pocket integration)

Kaitou Ace · 09-24-2013, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cr3nk

Can anyone who thinks they got a perfectly lit screen post a pic of their Aura?

Wanted to see if there are actually such units out there or I should just return my blotchy and uneven unit back and get an Aura HD (though I'll miss the size and Pocket integration)

I don't see anything uneven with the lighting on my Aura. Image attached.

graycyn · 09-24-2013, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aceflor

I find the diamond pattern very disturbing, or let's say it would disturb me a lot. Is it the same on all new Auras ?

I am thinking it might well disturb my eyes. I can't use anti-glare screen protectors on devices because they make text less clear.

Hope this is not the trend for future Kobo devices.

graycyn · 09-24-2013, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaitou Ace

I don't see anything uneven with the lighting on my Aura. Image attached.

Boy eyes do vary! I personally see warmer light at the top going to cooler at the bottom in your picture. I also see four distinct shadow cones at the bottom.

Canuck_in_Japan · 09-24-2013, 07:46 PM

There will never ever exist a screen that satisfies the demands of even 50% of Mobileread users.

cr3nk · 09-24-2013, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graycyn

Boy eyes do vary! I personally see warmer light at the top going to cooler at the bottom in your picture. I also see four distinct shadow cones at the bottom.

Agree.... I've the exact same problem (yellow to bluer) and four shadows at the bottom.

Kaitou, what's your device s/n? Could try to isolate if it's a batch problem.

filmo · 09-24-2013, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaitou Ace

I don't see anything uneven with the lighting on my Aura. Image attached.

I can see bright area at top of your reader's screen and very slight uneven lighting at bottom of screen. I only wish top of screen bright area was absent. Probably not much of problem and easily ignored while reading books.

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09-24-2013, 10:12 AM	#316
llcj Addict Posts: 250 Karma: 883854 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Canada Device: kobo touch	Wasn't a blurry font one of the complaints people had with the capacitive touch screen on the KPW? I'm wondering if the diamond pattern is related to the knew refresh technology. I saw it on the Aura I looked at last week. I also remember a reviewer mentioning it.

09-24-2013, 10:14 AM	#317
mystika1 Addict Posts: 353 Karma: 1360168 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Louisiana Device: IPad Air 2, , Kindle Voyage, Kobo Aura HD, Kobo Aura H2Ov1, Kobo Mini	In most of the side by side pics and videos, I find the glo appears to have clearer fonts.(for my eyes anyway) I am sticking with my glo for now. I can't see myself spending more money on another reader when I really can't see that much improvement. Now the larger screen of the HD on the other hand...is drawing me in. Penny

09-24-2013, 12:04 PM	#318
slantybard my parent's oops... Posts: 492 Karma: 1477572 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Vx->Handera->Clie-> Axim->505->650->KPW/Aura ->L2->iOS/CBW	I too noticed that the stock fonts are not sharp. Typegenius can help in correcting this, but I found that the best solution was to add a custom font which I optimized for my default reading size and weight (essentially added 60 em of weight to Caecilia (started with medium base font) and scaled by 105%). This made a huge difference in font sharpness on my Aura. As an aside I also had to do this with my KPW1. I am not sure why, but every e-reader I have had has required me to add my own modified font. For some reason, none of the e-reader companies seem to hire decent font developers to customize their fonts for how the devices render them in e-ink. I too have noticed the diamond pattern. I think it is from the light diffuser layer. IMHO, It is noticeable in sunlight or bright indoor spotlights only when you go looking for it. I haven't seen it when the Aura light is turned on. Overally, I still think the decreased contrast of the Aura outweighs the splotchy lighting of the KPW1 (and it's decreased customizability).

09-24-2013, 01:22 PM	#321
vice-versa whippet addict Posts: 391 Karma: 689884 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: France, Normandy, Gisors Device: Kobo Sage, Kobo Libra Colour	I went during lunch time to the FNAC store to have a look at this new device. First thing : the people at FNAC didn't know they had it in stock They knew nothing about it and even one of them kept believing I was talking about the Aura HD (and then why was I asking to see one in flesh as there was an Aura HD for demo) So one of their people went down to fetch one in the backstore so that I could have a look. Impossible to manipulate it as it was not set (impossible to bypass the registration with the 2.9 firmware ?). But I could have it in hands : nice feeling for the back, the (very small) diamond pattern of the screen can be seen, but I don't think it could bother me, no glare that was a deal breaker in my point of view. Smaller than my Glo, a bit greyer when the light is off. I was fearing that it would feel as if the actual screen was behind a "glassed" frame but it doesn't has this feeling at all. It doesn't feel either like a tablet or a smartphone. For the time being, I was please with what I saw. I'll have another look tomorrow or the next day (when the FNAC people will have found their ID and password to set it, as they where asking each other who had them I wonder how they can advise anybody, about ereader buying, as they seem to know nothing about them : I gave them tips about what was knew about this one, they just thought it was either the Kobo Aura HD, or a smallest Aura HD, it's just a pity, even if this store is a small one ! )

09-24-2013, 07:16 PM	#324
cr3nk Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2013 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2013	Can anyone who thinks they got a perfectly lit screen post a pic of their Aura? Wanted to see if there are actually such units out there or I should just return my blotchy and uneven unit back and get an Aura HD (though I'll miss the size and Pocket integration)

09-24-2013, 07:46 PM	#328
Canuck_in_Japan Wizard Posts: 1,476 Karma: 14328611 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tokyo, Japan Device: Aura, Aura H2O, Kindle PW3	There will never ever exist a screen that satisfies the demands of even 50% of Mobileread users.