LCD vs. e-ink

[Sonist]

Originally Posted by cjottawa

...
I wonder if the reason LCD's get a bad rap for "eye-strain" is because we often scroll, pan, zoom or otherwise look at MOVING images on LCD's.

If you try reading a book on an LCD, without video, without "scrolling," it's much less tiring on the eyes.

We use LCD monitors differently from tablets.

I stare at my monitor all day, but my eyes move around a much larger area than on the small screen of a tablet, or a phone. I also constantly look at the keyboard, or just at something away from the screen, which refocuses my eyes.

When reading on a tablet, my eyes are confined to a much smaller area. I hold the tablet at a distance much closer to my eyes than the distance at which I view my monitor. I also don't constantly look away from the page, but stare at the same small area pretty consistently for an hour or two at a time.

[Magnesus]

Originally Posted by stonetools

Dunno if this has been mentioned yet but the Night display (white letters on black background) is easier on the eyes , in my experience. Hope this helps.

White letters on black background are a horror for my eyes on LCD, CRT and even on e-paper. I read somewhere that it's not recommended too - that's why most web pages novadays have light colors with black(-ish) text.

[shanghaichica]

Originally Posted by lack

I am interested with the former though, how was it? Reading on iPhone? Did you not experience the same headache as your plain LCD monitor?

I had my eink devices for two days, and cranking 3 hours reading non stop which is already 1 hours ahead from my record in reading in LCD monitor, no fatigue in my eyes but I do experience slight blurry vision and lost focus which is easily amendable after couple minutes resting my eyes.

The quest for genuine reason on why LCD is straining (my) eyes only when reading remains though..

One question to all of those saying LCD gives them headaches, do you adjust its brightness to the ambient lighting in your environment? And if you had, did it alleviate the symptoms at all?

Reading on my iphone was more uncomfortable than reading on a PC monitor, but I'd expect that the screen size plays a role in the level of discomfort.

[astra]

When I was in Tesco's tonight, I have seen and played with Samsung Galaxy Tab. They had a book loaded for demonstration.
My verdict is--no, no and yet one more time No to LCD screen for book reading. Its light flickers just like any cheap LCD monitor. My experience tonight unquestionably proved my point of view on LCD screens. It is so unpleasant to eyes that I cannot even compare it with eInk. Different league.

[ozace50]

I have been following debates on this topic on a number of forums here and in other places. It is a bit like the debate that we have here in Australia about which is the best city: Melbourne or Sydney. Neither side will ever convince the other to join their side.

Why are we doing this? Why can't we accept that people have different needs for the screen type that they choose to read on - LCD or e-ink or whatever the next new type of screen become available?

I have read ebooks on LCD screens for years, and even on the old CRT screens before that (yes, I'm really old!!), and in the mid-1990s on even an orange "plasma" screen. I now read on an e-ink screen because I like it and because I can carry it with me very easily and use it almost anywhere. If I could buy a 10" (25.4cm) fold-up screen that I could put in my shirt pocket, I'd try that too.

The best screen is whatever is the best for the individual, IMVHO.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by astra

When I was in Tesco's tonight, I have seen and played with Samsung Galaxy Tab. They had a book loaded for demonstration.
My verdict is--no, no and yet one more time No to LCD screen for book reading. Its light flickers just like any cheap LCD monitor. My experience tonight unquestionably proved my point of view on LCD screens. It is so unpleasant to eyes that I cannot even compare it with eInk. Different league.

Completely agree with you on the different league. But as Harry already mentioned (in another thread), if you primarily read in a light environment (which I presume your Tesco is...), e-ink is better. If you read mostly in a dark environment, backlit LCD could be better.

I am somebody who really loves reading from her backlit device, but I wouldn't want to do that in a supermarket. Too much surrounding light. However, did you take that Tab to a gloomy corner? Because that's where backlight comes in handy.

And I've never seen any LCD flicker... Only when it's not on its native resolution.

[astra]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

However, did you take that Tab to a gloomy corner? Because that's where backlight comes in handy.

And I've never seen any LCD flicker... Only when it's not on its native resolution.

No. I didn't read it in a dark. If I have to, I would use an external small lamp with 2 super LED. Although, to tell the truth I rarely do it.

LCD flicker is a very subtle thing. It depends on what sort of backlight is used, surrounding conditions and an eye of the beholder It is nowhere near CRT but it is noticeable, sometimes.

Just to make sure. I am not making a statement such as eInk is much better than LCD.
I say eInk is the only acceptable solution for me. Horses for courses.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by astra

No. I didn't read it in a dark. If I have to, I would use an external small lamp with 2 super LED. Although, to tell the truth I rarely do it.

Only mentioned it because the strong point of e-ink is the readability in light environments, while the strong point of backlit is the readability in dark environments...

If somebody would show me an e-ink screen in a "cozy and semi-lit" livingroom, I'd say, no thank you... but show me one in a well-lit, or even brightly lit room, I'd say go away backlit, give me that e-ink!

I seriously can't wait for the pixel qi to finally arrive... I think I'm spoiled with my PDA screen, which is transflective and thus is perfectly readable with backlit in the dark or without backlit in bright environments...

[Rebo]

Originally Posted by astra

When I was in Tesco's tonight, I have seen and played with Samsung Galaxy Tab. They had a book loaded for demonstration.
My verdict is--no, no and yet one more time No to LCD screen for book reading. Its light flickers just like any cheap LCD monitor. My experience tonight unquestionably proved my point of view on LCD screens. It is so unpleasant to eyes that I cannot even compare it with eInk. Different league.

I went to Best Buy to play with the Galaxy Tab and I had a totally different experience. That screen is fabulous and I can't see any flickering at all. Compared with the the cheap androids tablets with low resolution, the Galaxy Tab is just fantastic and clearly in a league of its own. I can read and surf all day long on that screen.

[sabredog]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

Only mentioned it because the strong point of e-ink is the readability in light environments, while the strong point of backlit is the readability in dark environments...

If somebody would show me an e-ink screen in a "cozy and semi-lit" livingroom, I'd say, no thank you... but show me one in a well-lit, or even brightly lit room, I'd say go away backlit, give me that e-ink!

My wife and I have 25w bedside lights which provide a warm, moderate light enviromate, almost tending to low as quite often Lori will not have her bedside light on.

Both my Kobo and PRS-300 work perfectly in those enviroments. I would not want to read in anything lit lower and that includes magazines and dead tree books.

I found backlit LCD in darker (no lights) when Lori was asleep really hurt my eyes on a recent holiday, so I have purchased a M-edge light for my Sony reader.

[GreenMonkey]

I wish they'd just build an e-reader with a led side-lighting (like the very first GBA SP units).

That would be perfect. The Amazon kindle case with the built-in light is close, but the uneven lighting and the need to pull out the light isn't so great.

[astra]

Originally Posted by sabredog

I found backlit LCD in darker (no lights) when Lori was asleep really hurt my eyes on a recent holiday, so I have purchased a M-edge light for my Sony reader.

That's my experience. I surfed the web (an easier thing for my eyes than staring at the text) in total darkness on my netbook and found it to be very tiring for my eyes. Lowering brightness helps but it only extends the period when I feel OK for a little longer.

Originally Posted by Rebo

I went to Best Buy to play with the Galaxy Tab and I had a totally different experience. That screen is fabulous and I can't see any flickering at all. Compared with the the cheap androids tablets with low resolution, the Galaxy Tab is just fantastic and clearly in a league of its own. I can read and surf all day long on that screen.

It might be better than others, but it doesn't cancel my feelings about it. I bet you can read off of LCD screen without any problem to start with.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by sabredog

My wife and I have 25w bedside lights which provide a warm, moderate light enviromate, almost tending to low as quite often Lori will not have her bedside light on.

Oh, we have a very nice bedlight as well. But often my pillow is in the way of the light so I won't have it on my screen. Or I'll put the head end of my bed up and it'll completely block out the light...

But then, we made that bed (it's all hand-made and self-designed) with the knowledge that we both read with baclit devices...

Originally Posted by astra

That's my experience. I surfed the web (an easier thing for my eyes than staring at the text) in total darkness on my netbook and found it to be very tiring for my eyes. Lowering brightness helps but it only extends the period when I feel OK for a little longer.

I usually fall asleep anyway, when reading in bed, after 20 minutes, these days I really could use a long holiday again

[astra]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

I usually fall asleep anyway, when reading in bed, after 20 minutes, these days I really could use a long holiday again

Oh, I am with you on that one

[strawhatbrat]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

I prefer eInk for reading novels, because these reading sessions are lengthy and backlit displays bother my eyes after a bit.

For everything else, I prefer a color display; which is currently LCD technology.

That's me, too. I love the e-ink. My eyes don't get tired at all. But with the LCD (such as my laptop) my eyes really do feel it.