WARNING: Screen is so bad that...

[Lemurion]

I've been following with interest, and I don't have a clue how the screen works. I do know that the touch-screen seems to interfere with viewing more than the ones on my PDAs do. But how it works isn't what matters, not from my perspective.

I think they lost touch with the main functionality of the device when adding features. The touch-screen is a great idea; and coupled with a faster controller it sounds awesome. But the implementation killed it for me. Different people have different priorities - mine is the screen.

[sigma8]

Originally Posted by akira28

Like you I am not an expert on these screen designs, however, the 700's screen is hard, without a plastic sheet, ala a PDA. This in addition to the fact that it incorporates finger gestures leads me to believe that it is not resistive or mechanical.

Although both the 505 and 700 screens may be anti-glare to different degrees, I believe it is the distance from the e-ink screen to the touch screen on the 700 that makes the difference in the clarity. Sony may have believed this design necessary to incorporate the LED front light.

"Resistive" just means it works through pressure. Actual touching. I was calling that mechanical, because it involves moving parts, i.e. a section of film A touching a section of film B. The capacitive screens of the iPhones/iPod Touches do not have any moving parts. Pressure has no effect.

I suppose all we can do is hope they didn't make the screen crappy just to spite us.

[ChelC]

Although both the 505 and 700 screens may be anti-glare to different degrees, I believe it is the distance from the e-ink screen to the touch screen on the 700 that makes the difference in the clarity. Sony may have believed this design necessary to incorporate the LED front light.

That's what it looked like to me too. I wish they would have just nixed the LEDs to bring it up to the surface.

[debacler]

Originally Posted by akira28

Like you I am not an expert on these screen designs, however, the 700's screen is hard, without a plastic sheet, ala a PDA. This in addition to the fact that it incorporates finger gestures leads me to believe that it is not resistive or mechanical.

Although both the 505 and 700 screens may be anti-glare to different degrees, I believe it is the distance from the e-ink screen to the touch screen on the 700 that makes the difference in the clarity. Sony may have believed this design necessary to incorporate the LED front light.

Huh? Virtually all PDAs use resistive touchscreens. Not sure what finger gestures have to do with this. The 700 absolutely uses a resistive screen. The problem with resistive screens is that even the highest quality panels lack excellent transparency. This is much less of an issue for use in products with a backlit LCD display (PDAs, smartphones, etc.), but becomes very obvious on an e ink screen, as the 700 demonstrates. Resistive touch screens seem inherently unsuited for e ink. I suppose they were used because they are cheaper and more available than other types. All in all, just a shoddy piece of engineering on Sony's part.

I'd say the touch screen is responsible for the poor contrast and glare. You're probably right about the clarity. The slightly fuzzy appearance of text would likely disappear if the touch panel sat nearer to the e ink screen.

Originally Posted by debacler

Huh? Virtually all PDAs use resistive touchscreens. Not sure what finger gestures have to do with this.

Of course they are. Bad wording on my part. All the PDA type screens I have had are extremely transparent. It's only mylar on top of glass.

Finger gestures are more associated with capacitive screens where a constant mechanical pressure with a stylus is not needed.

Originally Posted by debacler

All in all, just a shoddy piece of engineering on Sony's part.

I'd say the touch screen is responsible for the poor contrast and glare. You're probably right about the clarity. The slightly fuzzy appearance of text would likely disappear if the touch panel sat nearer to the e ink screen.

Your signature indicates you own the 700. I was considering one as well. Any regrets?

[debacler]

Originally Posted by akira28

Your signature indicates you own the 700. I was considering one as well. Any regrets?

Yeah, I'd say so. The single biggest issue for me is the screen. For the price of the device, I expected much better quality. I don't know of any e ink reader on the market with a screen worse than the 700's. And for $400, that's pretty sad. The conclusion I keep coming back to after using the 700 for almost two months is that while you can read from the 700, it's just a flat out unpleasant experience. A long way from "paper-like."

What's worse is that Sony compromised the 700's screen for sake of adding a touch screen. It's a nice idea, but what little actual benefit it provides doesn't come close to making up for what it did to the display. I think hardware page turn buttons would be faster and easier, but I've found the 700's buttons awkwardly positioned for constant use. I wish that Sony didn't try to force you into using the page gestures and kept a couple of nice side buttons.

Some of the units seem to be suffering from dust being trapped behind the screen. It looks like some sort of manufacturing defect where the device isn't sealed up properly along the bezel surrounding the screen. Dust is able to get in and accumulates under the touch screen. It's pretty hard to see during the day, but if you turn the light on in a dim setting, the dust spots are brightly illuminated. I've had my 700 replaced once. The replacement has the exact same problem, and looks like it may actually end up worse than my first unit. I'll probably have to have this one replaced in about a month or so. Turn around was just over a week in the US, but is apparently slower in Canada.

I don't recommend the 700. Even if it cost the same as the 505, I couldn't recommend it. I'd advise any one looking for an eBook reader to hold off and see what hits the market this year. If you can't wait and are considering the 700, definitely be sure to get plenty of hands on time with it before buying. Some people still seem to like it, but for my money, the value is just not there.

debacler,

I am sorry to hear about your troubles with your unit. I didn't realize that the dust was such a problem. However, if its any consolation, I think you have offered some very valuable information about your experiences that can help others. I know it has helped me to make up my mind and I thank you.

[debacler]

I have no idea how widespread the dust problem is. There is a thread where quite a few people have reported it, but obviously it's not an issue affecting most 700s. Evidently I just have terrible luck. Third times a charm, maybe.

Best of luck finding a reader that works for you!

[eyp]

Hello, at last I've received my new PSR 700. I was a little afraid because I read some post here, like this one, that alarm in excess about the screen.

Well, I've been reading some books in several locations (subway, starbucks, at home, etc...) and it's true it has some glares, but it's easy to get a position with no one at all so it's comfortable to read with this device.

Also I've used the lights in a dark room, and it's readability is perfect!

I'm sorry, but I can't complain about this Sony product.

[Ervserver]

Having any dust between the screens issues eyp?

[shighfield]

Eyp: Wait a month and a half until you get the dust and then you'll be swearing at it like me. Or I should say swearing about it like me since I won't be getting my replacement until end of march at the earliest.

[lilac_jive]

Originally Posted by shighfield

Eyp: Wait a month and a half until you get the dust and then you'll be swearing at it like me. Or I should say swearing about it like me since I won't be getting my replacement until end of march at the earliest.

I know this kind of defeats the purpose, but have you used a generic book light, and if so can you still see the dustspots?

[deadringer]

Hello

I've had mine for a few days and actually finished a book on it. I didn't find the screen bad at all. I've read in daylight outside and nighttime with the lights. I do think the edge lighting is a bit hard on the eyes. Why not just backlight when they designed it?

John

[dordale]

Originally Posted by deadringer

I do think the edge lighting is a bit hard on the eyes. Why not just backlight when they designed it?

Due to the way e-ink works, it's impossible to use it with a backlight.

Originally Posted by shighfield

Eyp: Wait a month and a half until you get the dust and then you'll be swearing at it like me.

My husband has owned a 700 for almost two months now and hasn't complained about dust yet--and believe me, he would notice something like that!!

dordale

[eyp]

Originally Posted by Ervserver

Having any dust between the screens issues eyp?

That was the second thing I looked at, for now it hasn't any dust spot, but after reading the post dedicated to that problem I guess it will.

Anyway, before purchasing the device I was reading the forums for all the issues it has, so I know about them (glare, spots), so I know it isn't a perfect device, but there isn't anyone. Here in Spain I can't buy a Kindle, and iRex products although atractive look like not very reliable, so the Sony has more points than another. Moreover I spent 305€ at eBay, here in stores it costs 430€...