Concerning Kindle PaperWhite's Text Quality - Page 3

HarryT · 10-11-2013, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steinhoff

Well whoop-dee-doo fanboy, that's just like your opinion man.

Steinhoff,

You claimed that I "needed glasses" if I couldn't see that my PW2 had fuzzy text. I posted photographs which, for me, show that my Kindle has extremely clear text which isn't fuzzy at all. Rather than insult people who have opinions (or Kindles) which are not the same as yours, why not do as I did and post a photograph which shows what the problem is that you're experiencing? That way people will be able to see what the problem is, and perhaps offer you some practical advice.

blueberry pie · 10-11-2013, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steinhoff

My My, the PW2 reviews are all over the place, from mere "hype" to "mind-blowing" (Sigh) Screw THIS AMAZON

I am going Kobo.

Be careful of what you wish for. I was really anti-Kindle, likening Amazon to Apple with it's consumer control. I couldn't wait to get the new Aura. Arrived with a pinhole of light sparkling distractingly through the screen. Nine e-mails, several requests for photos of the problem, on a conference call with my credit card company, and i finally got an RMA four or five days later. Their customer service is the worst I have ever dealt with - ridiculous stalling tactics, repeated requests for the same information I could go on and on.

There are many reports of this light pinhole defect as well as light leaks or lines across the bottom (?) and some sort of peeling of the screen. Due to the quality control problems, I felt I was likely to get a second bad one, so I opted for a refund. No way I would deal with their CS again. It's really too bad. I prefer the Aura but won't buy it on line. No stores in the US. I'm reading on my funky Libre Pro green screen until I can't take it any more! I may break down and buy a PW2 (in a retail store). At least Amazon has great customer service.

soulfuldog · 10-11-2013, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steinhoff

My My, the PW2 reviews are all over the place, from mere "hype" to "mind-blowing" (Sigh) Screw THIS AMAZON

I am going Kobo.

You may well be pissed at Amazon and unhappy with your PW, but the fact is, there are similar problems plaguing the Aura. Might be worthwhile doing a little research on Kobo first before buying anything.

Steinhoff · 10-11-2013, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Steinhoff,

You claimed that I "needed glasses" if I couldn't see that my PW2 had fuzzy text. I posted photographs which, for me, show that my Kindle has extremely clear text which isn't fuzzy at all. Rather than insult people who have opinions (or Kindles) which are not the same as yours, why not do as I did and post a photograph which shows what the problem is that you're experiencing? That way people will be able to see what the problem is, and perhaps offer you some practical advice.

First I apologize for my antagonistic tone of my previous replies.
To be honest, I've tried doing that but my camera fails to capture the nuance of the blackness on the screen. So I'll be as descriptive as possible on the situation here
Assuming you've disabled "refresh every page" on PW 1st Gen(2012)

So right after a full page refresh the blackness of the text is crisp and uniform across every line, no dispute on that. But when you flip to 2nd or 3rd page you'll starting noticing a slight fade on some letters randomly in several sentences. but still not obtrusive enough though.
By the time you're on to the 4th and 5th page the pattern of fade becomes more apparent either on the perimeter of the screen or across diagonally. And sometime text might even appear a bit bolder and smudgy until you refresh it.

elemenoP · 10-11-2013, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steinhoff

So right after a full page refresh the blackness of the text is uniform across every line, no dispute on that. But when you flip to 2nd or 3rd page you'll starting noticing a slight fade on some letters randomly on several sentences. but still not obtrusive enough though.
By the time you're on to the 4th and 5th page the pattern of fade becomes more apparent either on the perimeter of the screen or across diagonally. And sometime text might even appear a bit bolder and smudgy.

As others have mentioned, this is in the nature of e-ink (the technology). E-ink (the company that makes the technology) has tried to improve it but it still happens. If it's bothersome, the solution is to turn on "refresh every page." If you get a Kobo, you will still have the same dilemma: degraded text after several pages vs black flash after every page. You have to get used to one or the other, or else e-ink is not for you.

I am not sure why Harry's screen is so clear after several page turns, that's not what mine looks like.

eP

fearindex · 10-11-2013, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by l_macd

You may well be pissed at Amazon and unhappy with your PW, but the fact is, there are similar problems plaguing the Aura. Might be worthwhile doing a little research on Kobo first before buying anything.

Clearly frontlight technology is still in its infancy. May I suggest a baby Kindle for those having issues with frontlight screens.

Regular e-ink is much more mature by now.

Steinhoff · 10-11-2013, 10:35 AM

See for yourself, try flipping back and forth on the same page. I am sure you will start to notice some fades and smeared-out letters.

Steinhoff · 10-11-2013, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elemenoP

As others have mentioned, this is in the nature of e-ink (the technology). E-ink (the company that makes the technology) has tried to improve it but it still happens. If it's bothersome, the solution is to turn on "refresh every page." If you get a Kobo, you will still have the same dilemma: degraded text after several pages vs black flash after every page. You have to get used to one or the other, or else e-ink is not for you.

I am not sure why Harry's screen is so clear after several page turns, that's not what mine looks like.

eP

for a moment I really thought I had a bum unit. especially when Harry posted that pic without refreshing.

HarryT · 10-11-2013, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steinhoff

for a moment I really thought I had a bum unit. especially when Harry posted that pic without refreshing.

To clarify, the picture I posted was after half a dozen or so page turns.

As has been stated, however, ghosting is inherent in eInk, but if varies significantly both with the individual screen, and with temperature. If you really can't live with it, then perhaps eInk is not for you.

My screen certainly does exhibit ghosting.

sirmaru · 10-11-2013, 10:58 AM

I have Refresh set to Off. I do notice that, when I turn pages, there is faint ghosting effect. The fonts take less than a second to darken up as each page is turned. It doesn't bother me. BE sure to use the Helvetica font for the darkest and thickest impressions.

If eInk bothers you, then try a Kindle Fire HDX. It uses a different method to display fonts. However, it may have glare in bright light while eInk does not. I use both types and use the one most fit for the ambient light.

simplyparticular · 10-15-2013, 08:13 PM

I have a PW2 and a Sony T2, which both have the option to switch Refresh Every Page on or off.

On the PW2, I have turned ON Refresh Every Page because I found the ghosting on the PW2 distracting, and more noticeable than on the T2.

Which is interesting because I find the T2 has more noticeable ghosting than the T1, but I put up with it to get the faster processor.

twowheels · 10-16-2013, 02:41 PM

Given that eInk suffers from inherent ghosting due to the very aspects that make it so great in sunlight I think it best to just enable the full refresh on every page turn (whether you use a Kindle or a competing eInk reader). You may notice that a few have mentioned turning it on as soon as they got their PW after having used a previous generation for a while. I did as well -- I was already completely accustomed to the flash, so it didn't bother me to keep it. I don't even notice it anymore -- if anything I think it'd be more obnoxious if it were only occasional as it would come by surprise. The only drawback to the full refresh is that it uses slightly more power, but the battery life is still phenomenal.

fearindex · 10-16-2013, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twowheels

Given that eInk suffers from inherent ghosting due to the very aspects that make it so great in sunlight I think it best to just enable the full refresh on every page turn (whether you use a Kindle or a competing eInk reader). You may notice that a few have mentioned turning it on as soon as they got their PW after having used a previous generation for a while. I did as well -- I was already completely accustomed to the flash, so it didn't bother me to keep it. I don't even notice it anymore -- if anything I think it'd be more obnoxious if it were only occasional as it would come by surprise. The only drawback to the full refresh is that it uses slightly more power, but the battery life is still phenomenal.

My thoughts exactly! I agree with every point.

dordale · 10-16-2013, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twowheels

Given that eInk suffers from inherent ghosting due to the very aspects that make it so great in sunlight I think it best to just enable the full refresh on every page turn (whether you use a Kindle or a competing eInk reader). You may notice that a few have mentioned turning it on as soon as they got their PW after having used a previous generation for a while. I did as well -- I was already completely accustomed to the flash, so it didn't bother me to keep it. I don't even notice it anymore -- if anything I think it'd be more obnoxious if it were only occasional as it would come by surprise. The only drawback to the full refresh is that it uses slightly more power, but the battery life is still phenomenal.

My opinion as well. I'm coming to the Kindle PW2 from Sony 650/350. I was used to the flash on every page turn. Almost immediately I set me KPW2 to always flash--less distracting than every once in awhile. And, even with the flash each page, the KPW2 is still much faster at changing pages than the 350/650.

blackcat54 · 11-01-2013, 03:14 PM

I tried a PW2 at Best Buy and it refreshed every 14 pages. The fonts began to noticeably ghost after only 3-4 pages! The new Nook GlowLight I tried, exhibited absolutely no font ghosting with no noticeable page refresh. I should note that the Nook does refresh graphics like book covers and illustrations but as far as text goes, the refresh mechanism is so well hidden that was a non issue for me.

10-11-2013, 10:35 AM	#37
Steinhoff Member Posts: 17 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2013 Device: Kindle PaperWhite 1&2, Kobo Glo, Aura HD, Nook Glowlight	See for yourself, try flipping back and forth on the same page. I am sure you will start to notice some fades and smeared-out letters. Last edited by Steinhoff; 10-11-2013 at 10:45 AM.

10-11-2013, 10:58 AM	#40
sirmaru Wizard Posts: 2,426 Karma: 6561538 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: Kindle PW 2013, HDX 2013, Galaxy S5 2014	I have Refresh set to Off. I do notice that, when I turn pages, there is faint ghosting effect. The fonts take less than a second to darken up as each page is turned. It doesn't bother me. BE sure to use the Helvetica font for the darkest and thickest impressions. If eInk bothers you, then try a Kindle Fire HDX. It uses a different method to display fonts. However, it may have glare in bright light while eInk does not. I use both types and use the one most fit for the ambient light. Last edited by sirmaru; 10-11-2013 at 11:01 AM.

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10-15-2013, 08:13 PM	#41
simplyparticular Guru Posts: 610 Karma: 1395952 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New York Device: Oasis 3 & GlowLight 4	I have a PW2 and a Sony T2, which both have the option to switch Refresh Every Page on or off. On the PW2, I have turned ON Refresh Every Page because I found the ghosting on the PW2 distracting, and more noticeable than on the T2. Which is interesting because I find the T2 has more noticeable ghosting than the T1, but I put up with it to get the faster processor.

10-16-2013, 02:41 PM	#42
twowheels Wizard Posts: 1,855 Karma: 13432974 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Kobo Clara HD, iPad Pro 10", iPhone 15 Pro, Boox Note Max	Given that eInk suffers from inherent ghosting due to the very aspects that make it so great in sunlight I think it best to just enable the full refresh on every page turn (whether you use a Kindle or a competing eInk reader). You may notice that a few have mentioned turning it on as soon as they got their PW after having used a previous generation for a while. I did as well -- I was already completely accustomed to the flash, so it didn't bother me to keep it. I don't even notice it anymore -- if anything I think it'd be more obnoxious if it were only occasional as it would come by surprise. The only drawback to the full refresh is that it uses slightly more power, but the battery life is still phenomenal.

11-01-2013, 03:14 PM	#45
blackcat54 Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2013 Device: Nook GlowLight	I tried a PW2 at Best Buy and it refreshed every 14 pages. The fonts began to noticeably ghost after only 3-4 pages! The new Nook GlowLight I tried, exhibited absolutely no font ghosting with no noticeable page refresh. I should note that the Nook does refresh graphics like book covers and illustrations but as far as text goes, the refresh mechanism is so well hidden that was a non issue for me.