Onyx E-reader / HDMI ?

[tracey1]

I really want an E paper monitor for my laptop/pc and Dasung is releasing one this year and apparently it's even able to play video because of the fast response time. But I'm not willing to pay 1000 $ for a monitor only, I think that price is just ridiculous.

However, I've heard rumors about a potential Onyx E-Reader with a HDMI port that's supposed to come out this year but I can't seem to find any news. The pricing would be similar but at least you'd have an E-reader and monitor at the same time which would make up for the high price.

What do you guys think of this ? I think if Onyx managed to pull this off, it would make Dasung's product obsolete in my opinion.

[Hrafn]

I haven't heard such a rumor (though I don't follow big-screen eReaders too closely), but this strikes me as somewhat unlikely -- I'd suspect that turning a bog-standard HDMI signal into something an eInk display could handle would require quite a bit of computing power (probably more than an eReader's lightweight CPU could handle).

A more likely setup would seem to be for the computer/laptop to do the conversion via a specialised software driver, and export it to the eReader via USB and some protocol that that the eReader can display without much effort.

It wouldn't seem to be beyond the realm of possibility that this could be accomplished with a firmware rewrite or even (though this is less likely) an app.

[franzli]

I think booxtor mentioned something about an hdmi output on the Max 2 one or two months ago in one of the other threads (either the Max specific one or maybe the monitor thread?).
And I think the leaked speed sheet for the Max monitor, which is probably the same device, also mentioned an HDMI output (hence the name). Incidentally, that device is indeed supposed to have a quad core CPU.

[Randy11]

There is a video about the a 13.3" device connected with a special cable to ta HDMI port and using Android 6 in this part of the forum. It's probable that Max Onyx 2 will have a solution to be use as like a monitor, but don't expect watch video.

[mdp]

Originally Posted by Randy11

There is a video about the a 13.3" device connected with a special cable to ta HDMI port and using Android 6 in this part of the forum

I just checked again the video "Onyx Boox Max Carta 13.3 2200x1650 and Boox Second Monitor", with a bit more care. That does not look like an HDMI connection: there is noticeable latency between the events on the actual machine and on the tablet, which suggests that what is displayed on the tablet is the output of a remote desktop solution. If it were a (classical) second monitor, I suppose update would be immediate.

[mdp]

Originally Posted by Randy11

don't expect watch video.

Actually,
I have watched videos (hours of) in A2 mode, and it did its job. The main issue, it has low FPS. Double that, and it would be certainly more than usable. As expressed elsewhere, Antonioni, Reggio, Leone [...] are best experienced using different technologies - but not all videos are there to enjoy photography.

EDIT:
But I see that you meant "on a Dasung", following what tracey1 wrote.
There is at least a video showing that (from 0:22). Refresh rate is not really clearly discernible; it looks not that different from watching video in A2 mode on the MaxCarta. I should mention that I watched video full-screen, while the video only shows a relatively small window. But the A2 seems to have fixed update rate. [EDIT: ...which some say is 8fps. I cannot find better sources]

[mdp]

Important: Dasung is NOT, at least to some information I am finding, producing literally a monitor - something that you connect to a VGA/DVI/HDMI/[...] port and has immediate translation of the video to the screen: (at least on some models?) the connection is USB, and the communication happens through a software driver.

That is not a monitor. A monitor uses standards related to the video output of the source and does not depend on support software to work. Explicitly: a monitor does not work "on Win12.3"; you connect it to the graphics card of an Amiga and it works all the same.

You can probably obtain exactly the same effect of the Dasung with an Onyx Boox plus some clever software (e.g. the Onyx experimental quick remote desktop solution - which I presume is also what is seen in action in the video mentioned above).

One of the sources - use of micro-USB, need for a driver - is this blog.

[desk7]

Originally Posted by mdp

Important: Dasung is NOT, at least to some information I am finding, producing literally a monitor - something that you connect to a VGA/DVI/HDMI/[...] port and has immediate translation of the video to the screen: (at least on some models?) the connection is USB, and the communication happens through a software driver.

That is not a monitor. A monitor uses standards related to the video output of the source and does not depend on support software to work. Explicitly: a monitor does not work "on Win12.3"; you connect it to the graphics card of an Amiga and it works all the same.

You can probably obtain exactly the same effect of the Dasung with an Onyx Boox plus some clever software (e.g. the Onyx experimental quick remote desktop solution - which I presume is also what is seen in action in the video mentioned above).

One of the sources - use of micro-USB, need for a driver - is this blog.

The first model of Dasung monitor uses USB while the next generation (Dasung Pro) uses HDMI. On this page you'll find further information
http://dasungtech.com/english/detail/id/220
There are 2 interesting images:
[Image violates Posting Guidelines for size - Moderator]
[Image violates Posting Guidelines for size - Moderator]

[mdp]

Originally Posted by desk7

The first model of Dasung monitor uses USB while the next generation (Dasung Pro) uses HDMI. On this page you'll find further information
[...]
There are 2 interesting images:
[...]

Interesting, but again the image shows that there is "compatibility with some operating systems"... It should be looked into: it is not clear if this means that a driver is needed or that a driver enhances the experience. Mirroring or extending the desktop is a management feature of the local monitor ports of the main OS, not an external provided feat.

[mdp]

Originally Posted by mdp

I have watched videos (hours of) in A2 mode, and it did its job [...] But I see that you meant "on a Dasung" [...] Refresh rate is not really clearly discernible; it looks not that different from watching video in A2 mode on the MaxCarta. [...] the A2 seems to have fixed update rate. [EDIT: ...which some say is 8fps. I cannot find better sources

I found a video that shows the effect well. It is a comparison of the Dasung early (USB) and pro (HDMI) versions (thanks to desk7).
Play this from 0:55. The left video gives a good idea of the refresh rate of the MaxCarta on A2 (but I remember much better picture quality), probably identical. The right video is, (do you agree, randy11?), impressive. I wonder which EPD mode that.

[tracey1]

Originally Posted by mdp

Actually,
I have watched videos (hours of) in A2 mode, and it did its job. The main issue, it has low FPS. Double that, and it would be certainly more than usable. As expressed elsewhere, Antonioni, Reggio, Leone [...] are best experienced using different technologies - but not all videos are there to enjoy photography.

EDIT:
But I see that you meant "on a Dasung", following what tracey1 wrote.
There is at least a video showing that (from 0:22). Refresh rate is not really clearly discernible; it looks not that different from watching video in A2 mode on the MaxCarta. I should mention that I watched video full-screen, while the video only shows a relatively small window. But the A2 seems to have fixed update rate. [EDIT: ...which some say is 8fps. I cannot find better sources]

So would you say the response videos are the same on the Dasung and Onyx Device in your opinion ?

And when do you think can we expect for the Onyx HDMI device to be released ?

[mdp]

Originally Posted by tracey1

So would you say the response videos are the same on the Dasung and Onyx Device in your opinion ?

Not exactly - and this BTW is not relevant to the "use as monitor" but as an aside (as you originally mentioned playing videos).
When playing videos (e.g. through VLC), the frame rate of A2 is very similar, and probably identical, to that you see on the device on the left in the "Dasung old and new" video I linked. (In the MaxCarta, playing from the tablet's OS; in the "old Dasung", presumably mirrored). The experience that shows the device on the right in the same video, that is quite something and I had not seen anything like it yet. I do not know how they achieved it - it must be a new "eink mode".

Originally Posted by tracey1

And when do you think can we expect for the Onyx HDMI device to be released ?

Instead of guessing, I see (hopefully not missing anything) using the advanced search that the last informed post is that from Booxtor on 13 May 2017:

«This video shows the regular Max connected to a Windows PC via USB and running app, which I already discussed in another thread*. This solution is already possible and allows mirroring of PC display. The guy on video is talking about future concept (Onyx device connected to a PC via HDMI and working as a monitor). This solution would allow to reduce latency, to use Onyx device as extended monitor (not mirroring only). This device was not showed in the exhibition. It is still quite confidential and there are no pictures of it even by agents of Onyx. I want to be optimistic and hope those new devices could be available already in autumn of this year.»

* Which means I really did not find anything new in mine above «[...] That does not look like an HDMI connection [...]»... Randy11, are you sure you saw that video?

[Dr. Drib]

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