Why Should I Choose a Bookeen?

[Godzil]

Originally Posted by HarryT

No, it has exactly the same screen, made in the same factory, on the same production line. Of course, factors such as a different choice of fonts and so on may make it look different, but the actual screen itself is identical.

The date of fabrication of the screen is also a factor. And Bookeen seems to use more recent screen than Sony.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by EowynCarter

I have to second JSWolf. Go for the opus, or wait for the new stuff (from bookeen sony, pocketbook).. The new sony seams to solve the galre problem for the most part.
Or maybe, pocketbook 302, or beebook neo, that are out already.

Forget anything Bookeen sells. They are either too small or too exoensive and they use the old screens.

Teleread did say that the screen on the new Sony's is as good as the K3. So go for a Sony.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Godzil

The timedate where the screen was made is also a factor. And Bookeen seems to use more recent screen than Sony.

No, Sony is using Pearl for their new readers and Bookeen is using Vizplex. I know eventually, Vizplex will go away in favor or Pearl, but for now, why get something with Vizplex? And some Vizplex have been made poorly such that they might have a problem fading in direct sunlight. Pearl doesn't have this problem.

[EowynCarter]

I know eventually, Vizplex will go away in favor or Pearl, but for now, why get something with Vizplex?

Good point. And given the current situation, might be better to wait a bit.

Pearl doesn't have this problem.

Or it wasn't seen. Pearl, as spix, are quite new.

And I don't really know what readers are currently available in Brazil. What manufacturers sells there ?

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Forget anything Bookeen sells. They are either too small or too exoensive and they use the old screens.

It deppends on what you like. I have an Opus and, it it breaks, I would buy another one. Not too small for me, the exact size.

[Godzil]

Sorry, but I saw a Kindle3 and a "pearl" display, and it's more ugly than Vizplex.. The screen have as much noise as a first generation Kindle1, and it's not blacker than a current Vizplex screen. The white on the K3 is more gray than on my 6 month old gen3!

Vizplex or Pearl are only "name" they put on the same thing. The technology didn't magicaly change. The first eInk screen used on the PRS500 and the "Pearl" are strictly the same thing, only the hardware (and bits of software) around change.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Godzil

Sorry, but I saw a Kindle3 and a "pearl" display, and it's more ugly than Vizplex.. The screen have as much noise as a first generation Kindle1, and it's not blacker than a current Vizplex screen. The white on the K3 is more gray than on my 6 month old gen3!

Vizplex or Pearl are only "name" they put on the same thing. The technology didn't magicaly change. The first eInk screen used on the PRS500 and the "Pearl" are strictly the same thing, only the hardware (and bits of software) around change.

No. The screens are not the same with just different software. The screens are actually different. There is a big difference between a 500 and a 505 due to the screen. I've not yet seen a Pearl screen other then photos/video. if Sony has the new readers on display for demo, I'll be seeing them on Friday. But please do not spread misinformation. The screens are different. They are not changed based on some software driver.

[Geppetto]

Originally Posted by Godzil

Sorry, but I saw a Kindle3 and a "pearl" display, and it's more ugly than Vizplex.. The screen have as much noise as a first generation Kindle1, and it's not blacker than a current Vizplex screen. The white on the K3 is more gray than on my 6 month old gen3!

Vizplex or Pearl are only "name" they put on the same thing. The technology didn't magicaly change. The first eInk screen used on the PRS500 and the "Pearl" are strictly the same thing, only the hardware (and bits of software) around change.

Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeassssssse...

[Godzil]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

No. The screens are not the same with just different software. The screens are actually different. There is a big difference between a 500 and a 505 due to the screen. I've not yet seen a Pearl screen other then photos/video. if Sony has the new readers on display for demo, I'll be seeing them on Friday. But please do not spread misinformation. The screens are different. They are not changed based on some software driver.

The process to make a first generation eInk screen and an Vizplex is the SAME*THING. They just change the commercial name to prevent people to say 'ho this is the same piece of s*** as before'. And it's the same for the "pearl"

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Godzil

The process to make a first generation eInk screen and an Vizplex is the SAME*THING. They just change the commercial name to prevent people to say 'ho this is the same piece of shit as before'. And it's the same for the "pearl"

I've had a 500 with the first generation screen and it is NOT the same. The Vizplex screen is faster and has more contrast. So please stop the misinformation.

[Logseman]

Originally Posted by Godzil

The process to make a first generation eInk screen and an Vizplex is the SAME*THING. They just change the commercial name to prevent people to say 'ho this is the same piece of shit as before'. And it's the same for the "pearl"

What is the difference between 1st gen, Vizplex and Pearl then?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Logseman

What is the difference between 1st gen, Vizplex and Pearl then?

The 1st gen had the lowest contrast, did fade a little over time, faded in sunlight, and was the slowest.

Vizplex allowed for use in sunlight, higher contrast, faster.

Pearl is even higher contrast and faster still.

[Godzil]

Originally Posted by Logseman

What is the difference between 1st gen, Vizplex and Pearl then?

The difference is what we call "Waveform", this is mainly the only difference. The screen making process got better with time (microcapsules are more resistant and break less during screen fabrication that make the screen more white)

The waveform are software data that are used to control how to display on the screen, and this is the most secret part (how they are generated) of eInk. Only a few people know the process. But this is decorelated of the screen film making.

[ToboldH]

Please excuse my ignorance, as I tend to focus more on the books I want to read than on the technical specifications of the devices, sometimes treating my device like a bookmark, just a means to make reading easier, but I thought I read somewhere than Pearl has 16 shades while "older" displays are only capable of displaying 8 shades. Of course, these shades are all "grey", so perhaps it means nothing, perhaps my eyes aren't capable of discerning a difference, but it sounded at least a little bit fancier.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by ToboldH

Please excuse my ignorance, as I tend to focus more on the books I want to read than on the technical specifications of the devices, sometimes treating my device like a bookmark, just a means to make reading easier, but I thought I read somewhere than Pearl has 16 shades while "older" displays are only capable of displaying 8 shades. Of course, these shades are all "grey", so perhaps it means nothing, perhaps my eyes aren't capable of discerning a difference, but it sounded at least a little bit fancier.

The number of grey-scales is determined by the electronics of the screen controller. There have been older eInk devices which also had 16 grey-scales (iRex devices, for example).

The Pearl screens have MUCH better contrast than the older screens. There's no difference in the background colour; the difference is that on the Pearl screens, the "black" is much "blacker". Comparing a 2nd gen screen and a Pearl screen side-by-side, the difference is very noticeable indeed.