Ebook readers vs Real Book : I think we need a discussion - Page 2

Katsunami · 04-26-2014, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usuallee

+1. topic has been discussed to death.

It can always become deader. Or zombified, if need be.

indyglow · 04-27-2014, 10:59 PM

I haven't gone back to printed books since I have purchased Kobo Aura HD. In some cases where an ebook isn't available I do still buy printed books but then those are few and inbetween.

I would suggest you go to Croma Retail store in your city and check on the KPW2, Kobo Glo, Kobo Aura HD or their Touch models. Play with them for sometime and see if any of those suits your eyes. Plenty of options available in India now.

taosaur · 04-28-2014, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arsingh1

The main problem with the Kindle Paperwhite , which I faced was that the inbuilt light strained my eyes in poorly lit or dark rooms.

I held off on E-Ink until just recently myself, mainly due to the low resolution and slow page turns of earlier readers. Our cases are a bit different, as I was fairly comfortable reading ebooks on tablets for years. Still, marathon reading sessions on my KPW2, mostly in low light, have been no problem. Any eyestrain experienced has been less than or equal to reading a paperback for the same amount of time. Overall I'd say it's less strain than a typical paperback, and much more readable than paper in bright sunlight.

QuantumIguana · 04-30-2014, 12:08 AM

For me, the main advantage of the Paperwhite is that I can read in a dark room. When I'm done reading for the night, it's nice to not have to get out of bed to turn off the light. I'm perfectly capable of reading on a non-lighted Kindle.

We use the word "book" for both the content and the medium, and that leads to confusion. "Codex" is a perfectly good word for a paper book, and avoids confusion.

Tarana · 04-30-2014, 10:14 AM

I would also say, try a tablet.

The gray background is actually easier for most people to read than black on white. However, everybody has different eyes and may perceive contrast differently. The focus of these ereaders is to make it easier for the majority to read. Clearly, doesn't address you. A tablet, however, can give you the white background that you want.

howyoudoin · 04-30-2014, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arsingh1

Thanks Endelyn, For a genuine assessment of my problem.Now I can say that I'm not crazy or not alone .
Now I'll try to get a non lighted ereader,
but how much is the difference between the 1st gen E-ink and today's e-ink screens. I mean, Does the grey background troubles you ? or Is it better than screens in the 1st gen reader

I don't see the point of this.

A non-lighted e-reader would be equivalent to the paperwhite with the light turned off. If the paperwhite didn't cut it for you, you're out of options.

Endelyn · 05-01-2014, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howyoudoin

I don't see the point of this.

A non-lighted e-reader would be equivalent to the paperwhite with the light turned off. If the paperwhite didn't cut it for you, you're out of options.

No, he's not out of options at all. There are many ereaders on the market without a front-light. Not all of us like them, and not all of us will pay for them just to leave the light off.

Lemurion · 05-01-2014, 09:44 AM

I have a current Kindle, the black Kindle 4, and it's fine for my needs. The screen is much better than the earlier generation devices I've seen and owned previously.

howyoudoin · 05-01-2014, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endelyn

No, he's not out of options at all. There are many ereaders on the market without a front-light. Not all of us like them, and not all of us will pay for them just to leave the light off.

I didn't mean it in that sense. I would assume that all e-readers would provide the same "grey paper" experience with the light turned off, and he shouldn't hope to find one drastically different to the Paperwhite that he's already tried and discarded. After all, there's only one e-ink supplier that we know of, and if there did exist one that was pristinely paper like, I'd throw away my Kindle keyboard and jump all over it in a flash. I honestly did not expect e-ink technology to remain so stagnant 3 years after I bought my kindle (not that I'm not satisfied with my purchase).

6charlong · 05-01-2014, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuantumIguana

For me, the main advantage of the Paperwhite is that I can read in a dark room. When I'm done reading for the night, it's nice to not have to get out of bed to turn off the light. I'm perfectly capable of reading on a non-lighted Kindle.

We use the word "book" for both the content and the medium, and that leads to confusion. "Codex" is a perfectly good word for a paper book, and avoids confusion.

What would you call a “paper book” that was written on papyrus? Or Parchment? How about the Bible, is it still a book if it’s written on scrolls?

The content is what makes a book. The medium it’s present through is merely a matter of convenience, aesthetics and personal choice. The content is what I want to read, to consider, and the thing I’m even willing to pay to see.

It is the content that has cultural significance. QuantumIguana is right, if we start calling things by their right names we go far toward reducing confusion on this issue.

Please see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codex

Endelyn · 05-01-2014, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howyoudoin

I didn't mean it in that sense. I would assume that all e-readers would provide the same "grey paper" experience with the light turned off, and he shouldn't hope to find one drastically different to the Paperwhite that he's already tried and discarded. After all, there's only one e-ink supplier that we know of, and if there did exist one that was pristinely paper like, I'd throw away my Kindle keyboard and jump all over it in a flash. I honestly did not expect e-ink technology to remain so stagnant 3 years after I bought my kindle (not that I'm not satisfied with my purchase).

I don't think that you've properly comprehended what he said. He is dissatisfied with the eink screen on his first generation device, and he is dissatisfied with the front-light of the Kindle Paperwhite. The last time I tried a Paperwhite, you couldn't turn the frontlight off completely without hacking it.

howyoudoin · 05-02-2014, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endelyn

I don't think that you've properly comprehended what he said. He is dissatisfied with the eink screen on his first generation device, and he is dissatisfied with the front-light of the Kindle Paperwhite. The last time I tried a Paperwhite, you couldn't turn the frontlight off completely without hacking it.

He finds the background screen of the paperwhite too grey for his tastes at the lowest light setting. It's only going to get greyer with the light completely turned off. The e-ink screen white enough to satisfy him does not exist currently.

TechniSol · 05-05-2014, 12:09 AM

Aren't the Kindles or other readers with Carta displays supposed to be about the whitest units currently on the market? As I recall, they were touted to have brighter backgrounds than previous e-ink displays.

I wonder that the front lit readers are generally a bit too bright unless you have a fairly brightly lit room to begin with, but turning them down does tend to make the background appear less bright. I think a lot of this may be because many of us do not maintain high brightness levels in rooms where we tend to relax and read or watch TV, etc. Honestly, most homes are not very well lit, especially if people have darker or paneled walls, etc. I think that because of relatively low ambient light levels, even the lower brightness settings appear too bright for many under those conditions.

Further, if you've ever looked at front lit e-ink in a well lit store and thought how white the background appeared, and then brought one home and cranked the brightness down because it seemed too bright and thought it now looked grayish you know exactly what I'm talking about... The room lighting level has a lot to do with perception.

Vmurph · 05-05-2014, 02:58 PM

I don't think I've ever seen a "real" book (paperback or hardcover) that had WHITE paper. ???

danskmacabre · 05-05-2014, 05:54 PM

I personally find the contrast better on my Kobo glo than on a printed book.
I also find the font clearer and less corrupted around the edges on my Kobo Glo than most printed books.

My wife gave me a physical book to read recently, which I have been reading, to my horror, tapping the right hand side of the page didn't flip to the next page!
I had to PHYSICALLY turn a page!

Jokes aside, I found the reading experience of the ereader far better than that of a physical book for many reasons.

04-30-2014, 12:08 AM	#19
QuantumIguana Philosopher Posts: 2,034 Karma: 18736532 Join Date: Jan 2012 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2 gen, Kindle Fire 1st Gen, Kindle Touch	For me, the main advantage of the Paperwhite is that I can read in a dark room. When I'm done reading for the night, it's nice to not have to get out of bed to turn off the light. I'm perfectly capable of reading on a non-lighted Kindle. We use the word "book" for both the content and the medium, and that leads to confusion. "Codex" is a perfectly good word for a paper book, and avoids confusion. Last edited by QuantumIguana; 04-30-2014 at 12:13 AM.

05-05-2014, 12:09 AM	#28
TechniSol GranPohbah-Fezzes r cool! Posts: 1,056 Karma: 3151024 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Nook STRs, Kobo Touch, Kobo Glo	Aren't the Kindles or other readers with Carta displays supposed to be about the whitest units currently on the market? As I recall, they were touted to have brighter backgrounds than previous e-ink displays. I wonder that the front lit readers are generally a bit too bright unless you have a fairly brightly lit room to begin with, but turning them down does tend to make the background appear less bright. I think a lot of this may be because many of us do not maintain high brightness levels in rooms where we tend to relax and read or watch TV, etc. Honestly, most homes are not very well lit, especially if people have darker or paneled walls, etc. I think that because of relatively low ambient light levels, even the lower brightness settings appear too bright for many under those conditions. Further, if you've ever looked at front lit e-ink in a well lit store and thought how white the background appeared, and then brought one home and cranked the brightness down because it seemed too bright and thought it now looked grayish you know exactly what I'm talking about... The room lighting level has a lot to do with perception. Last edited by TechniSol; 05-05-2014 at 12:15 AM.

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04-27-2014, 10:59 PM	#17
indyglow Connoisseur Posts: 77 Karma: 101837 Join Date: Oct 2012 Device: iPad Air, Kobo Forma, Kobo Aura HD (RIP)	I haven't gone back to printed books since I have purchased Kobo Aura HD. In some cases where an ebook isn't available I do still buy printed books but then those are few and inbetween. I would suggest you go to Croma Retail store in your city and check on the KPW2, Kobo Glo, Kobo Aura HD or their Touch models. Play with them for sometime and see if any of those suits your eyes. Plenty of options available in India now.

04-30-2014, 10:14 AM	#20
Tarana Wizard Posts: 4,038 Karma: 38840460 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Minneapolis Device: PWSE, Voyage, K3, HDX, KBasic 7 & 8, Nook Glo3, Echos, Nanos	I would also say, try a tablet. The gray background is actually easier for most people to read than black on white. However, everybody has different eyes and may perceive contrast differently. The focus of these ereaders is to make it easier for the majority to read. Clearly, doesn't address you. A tablet, however, can give you the white background that you want.

05-01-2014, 09:44 AM	#23
Lemurion eReader Posts: 2,750 Karma: 4968470 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Note 5; PW3; Nook HD+; ChuWi Hi12; iPad	I have a current Kindle, the black Kindle 4, and it's fine for my needs. The screen is much better than the earlier generation devices I've seen and owned previously.

05-05-2014, 02:58 PM	#29
Vmurph Cat Whisperer Posts: 239 Karma: 2490708 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: (USA) In the Hall of the Mountain King Device: Kindles Oasis 3, Kindle Oasis 1, and iPhone XS Max	I don't think I've ever seen a "real" book (paperback or hardcover) that had WHITE paper. ???

05-05-2014, 05:54 PM	#30
danskmacabre Guru Posts: 733 Karma: 3593438 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Glo. Galaxy Tab S 8.4	I personally find the contrast better on my Kobo glo than on a printed book. I also find the font clearer and less corrupted around the edges on my Kobo Glo than most printed books. My wife gave me a physical book to read recently, which I have been reading, to my horror, tapping the right hand side of the page didn't flip to the next page! I had to PHYSICALLY turn a page! Jokes aside, I found the reading experience of the ereader far better than that of a physical book for many reasons.

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