Touch Nook ST screen contrast vs Kindle 3 vs Sony Reader X50

[boswd]

Originally Posted by sonyreaderfan

Well, I have affinity for Marco Arment because of the software he created, Instapaper. For me, it's THE killer app for iPad and e-ink readers. (I download the epubs to load on my Sony Reader.) If you haven't used it, I recommend it highly for people to try it out. www.instapaper.com

I don't think the review is fanboyish. First he starts off his review giving a link to a very favorable review of Nook 2. He also gives specifics of why the Kindle's font is better than Nook 2's. He also knocks the Kindle for lack of touchscreen and the archaic interface. OTOH, the comment, "so lack of font is a feature, got it." Now, that's fanboyism.

But, if you have EVIDENCE or text from reviews (you know, textual proofs) that Nook 2 contrast is just as good as Kindle's, I'd like to see it.

hmmm did you actually read the first part of the review?


The Kindle 3 and Nook Simple Touch cost about the same, weigh about the same, feel about the same, and have the same-generation, same-resolution e-ink screen. (The weight and thickness are both technically different, but the difference isn’t meaningful during use.) The bezels are about the same color and thickness. They both even use the otherwise rare PMN Caecilia font by default, and both display pictures of famous dead authors as “screensavers” when they’re asleep.

Barnes & Noble has copied so many facets of the Kindle that they clearly want consumers to think that this is a Kindle. They’re unquestionably trying to cause confusion in the market, presumably to increase their chances. I’m not a fan of this approach to competition; there’s enough potential differentiation that the runner-up needn’t outright copy the market leader so blatantly.


If that is not having tainted pre determined conclusion I don't know what is. besides the fact he's just flat out wrong on so many levels.

[sonyreaderfan]

Originally Posted by boswd

hmmm did you actually read the first part of the review?


The Kindle 3 and Nook Simple Touch cost about the same, weigh about the same, feel about the same, and have the same-generation, same-resolution e-ink screen. (The weight and thickness are both technically different, but the difference isn’t meaningful during use.) The bezels are about the same color and thickness. They both even use the otherwise rare PMN Caecilia font by default, and both display pictures of famous dead authors as “screensavers” when they’re asleep.

Barnes & Noble has copied so many facets of the Kindle that they clearly want consumers to think that this is a Kindle. They’re unquestionably trying to cause confusion in the market, presumably to increase their chances. I’m not a fan of this approach to competition; there’s enough potential differentiation that the runner-up needn’t outright copy the market leader so blatantly.


If that is not having tainted pre determined conclusion I don't know what is. besides the fact he's just flat out wrong on so many levels.

Geez, your fanboyism is really blinding you. I think he has a valid point. Nook 2 could also be white, like Kobo Touch. Look, the point of this thread is to discuss screen contrast. Unless you have something constructive to add, like evidence or textual evidence that Nook 2 contrast is no worse than Kindle's, I like to hear it.

If you want to tear the review, start a new thread. Or better yet, I found this review in the Kindle forum. Go to that forum and agitate there. Or go to forum "Which one should I buy" and put down other people's thoughtful discussions and proclaim Nook's greatness. But you probably already have.

[boswd]

Originally Posted by sonyreaderfan

Geez, your fanboyism is really blinding you. I think he has a valid point. Nook 2 could also be white, like Kobo Touch. Look, the point of this thread is to discuss screen contrast. Unless you have something constructive to add, like evidence or textual evidence that Nook 2 contrast is no worse than Kindle's, I like to hear it.

If you want to tear the review, start a new thread. Or better yet, I found this review in the Kindle forum. Go to that forum and agitate there. Or go to forum "Which one should I buy" and put down other people's thoughtful discussions and proclaim Nook's greatness. But you probably already have.

Look you're the one who brought his review into this thread, I mearly stated the review which you have come to think as THE ULTIMATE COMPARISON AND FINAL WORD of the review was written by someone who already had predispostion on his conclusion
and with statements like "Copied" and "Cleary want to confuse people into thinking it's a Kindle" only proves my point,

but since he discovered some app or something you happen to like, his fanboyism is the Gospel

and someone with a screen name such as "SonyReaderFan" shouldn't be throwing around the word fanboyism with such liberty as you do

Please show me one thread in the kindle subforum or the sony subforum where I went in to stir up trouble or went in to complain or point out any faults they have. Would love to see that.

but yet you come into a nook subforum to point out shortcomings but yet I'm the one agitating.

That's just rich

[sonyreaderfan]

Originally Posted by boswd

Look you're the one who brought his review into this thread, I mearly stated the review which you have come to think as THE ULTIMATE COMPARISON AND FINAL WORD of the review was written by someone who already had predispostion on his conclusion
and with statements like "Copied" and "Cleary want to confuse people into thinking it's a Kindle" only proves my point,

but since he discovered some app or something you happen to like, his fanboyism is the Gospel

and someone with a screen name such as "SonyReaderFan" shouldn't be throwing around the word fanboyism with such liberty as you do

but yet you come into a nook subforum to point out shortcomings but yet I'm the one agitating.

That's just rich

Actually, if you follow the posts critically, I actually came to do some investigation about the screen contrast. It's other people pointing out Nook 2's shortcomings. I wanted to confirm. So I found reviews to back that up and asked people if that's true.

As for fanboyism, actions speaks louder than words. Looking at your past posts, you have attacked a lot of people and put down their discussions, with such quotes as "12 built in dictionaries? Ohh OK now I see that is soooo worth the extra $100+ dollars for the Sony" or "you can't view your bookcover's in your library on the Kindle? That's rather lame. " That's from "Which one to buy" and BN forums. So I was right that you go to other forums to agitate. You can look into my past posts and see that I don't do that. I try to be constructive and helpful.

[boswd]

Originally Posted by sonyreaderfan

Actually, if you follow the posts critically, I actually came to do some investigation about the screen contrast. It's other people pointing out Nook 2's shortcomings. I wanted to confirm. So I found reviews to back that up and asked people if that's true.

As for fanboyism, action speaks louder than words. Looking at your past posts, you have attacked a lot of people and put down their discussions, such with quotes like "12 built in dictionaries? Ohh OK now I see that is soooo worth the extra $100+ dollars for the Sony" or "you can't view your bookcover's in your library on the Kindle? That's rather lame. ". You can look into my past posts and see that I don't do that. I try to be constructive and helpful.

and who's response was that too? Poppea and if you think I'm some nook fanboy than Poppea is my Sony twin but heck I'm not as out for blood as he/she is. That you got to admit

but it's going back and forth of why would you buy a sony and why would you buy a nook.

So if you don't think the Sony's aren't the best purchase and counter it then you are fanboy? Just a reminder that thread squarly pits nook vs sony, so what exactly would have expected?

and nope none of my posts attacking the kindle came from the Kindle subforum. That is false. I unlike you don't go into respected subforums to do a whole" Your ereader isn't as good as mine so I need to start a thread to reassure myself that my purchase is superior. " thread which let cut to the chase, that's what this is.

[sonyreaderfan]

Originally Posted by boswd

Just a reminder that thread squarly pits nook vs sony, so what exactly would have expected?

I'm referring to the putdowns and tone that you use in your postings, such as this other one: "I heard the Kindle cure's cancer and will lead to world peace. It's just sooo magical." It's not constructive. It's childish.

I unlike you don't go into respected subforums to do a whole" Your ereader isn't as good as mine so I need to start a thread to reassure myself that my purchase is superior. " thread which let cut to the chase, that's what this is.

Are you talking about this thread? Nowhere in this thread did I say that Sony Reader is better than a Nook.

Which other purchase are you talking about? Kindle? I don't have one.

Also, if you can read critically, I'm actually considering buying a Nook 2, maybe for the purpose of rooting! That's why I was investigating screen contrast.

[boswd]

I don't have time for your nonsense. The Belmont Stakes is about to go off!

[Hoyt Clagwell]

Originally Posted by sonyreaderfan

Hoyt, I see that you have listed that you own a PRS 650, and you mention that you own a K3. How does the Nook 2 contrast compare to PRS 650's? How does PRS 650's contrast compare to K3? I used to own a K3 but I returned it before buying a Sony Reader so I didn't have a chance to compare it side by side.

Btw, there's a big difference between a fan and a fanboy. There's no shame in declaring you're a fan of Nook. Say it: Nook owner and proud! (Seen X-Men: First Class?)

I would say that the Nook contrast is comparable to the 650 if one uses the custom view function on the 650. I use a +70 and a -70. Without any modifications the Nook and the Kindle have a darker text.

[sonyreaderfan]

Originally Posted by Hoyt Clagwell

I would say that the Nook contrast is comparable to the 650 if one uses the custom view function on the 650. I use a +70 and a -70. Without any modifications the Nook and the Kindle have a darker text.

Thanks!

[ph0n33z]

I have both a Kindle 3 and the new Nook Touch. I did a 45 minute comparison between the two last night and came away a bit disappointed with the Nook. I actually bought both just recently and have never had an eReader before. (Just use my iPad.) I am going to post some pictures to show you guys the differences. I will with hold comments until the next post. But you will see that there is a distinctive difference in the screens.

[Joe Minton]

I have a Sony PRS-650 and the new Nook (whatever it's called ;o). I have compared the screens and their contrast. My conclusions are threefold:

1) When compared equally as possible (similar font & font size, same book, and no contrast enhancements on the Sony) -- the screens seem identical in contrast and are equally readable.

2) With the Sony "Adjust View", 'custom' set at +60 contrast and -60 brightness, the Sony is easier to read and, subjectively, has greater word/background contrast.

3) The font matters: Fonts with thin line elements can and do become pixelated and therefore fuzzy, especially if those line elements are angled like "Malabar" or "Amasis". However, if the line elements are thick enough, like Amasis, then there appears to be no pixelation as the thin portions still appear solid, to my eye at least.


Kindle's advanced font hinting (if that's what they are doing) arranges the letters so as to minimize thin lines falling on half-pixels thus darkening them.

I have settled on the Amasis font for my Nook. There is no user-convenient choice on the Sony.

I hope that B&N adds the contrast & brightness adjustment to the Nook; I use it continually with my Sony books.

I would like to see a more convenient filing system on the Nook. Sony's is better in my opinion.

I now prefer to read the Nook as it has a better feel in my hand and I can download books in my easy chair in the living room. I normally side load books but recently bought the "The Girl Who --- " trilogy while in a hotel room on the Alaska Highway in the Yukon and read two of them on the ferry back to the Lower 48. Couldn't have done that with my Sony.

Interesting times ;o)
Joe

[tomsem]

The screen contrast is identical (they both use the same screen, with the same physical properties).

Proof: take a screen capture from your Kindle and make it a custom screensaver image on Nook. Compare side by side. They are the same.

So to the extent that there's a difference in contrast, it has to do with fonts.

Amazon has beefed up the smaller text sizes. They more resemble Caecilia/Helv Neue demi-bold (the weight between normal and bold) than 'normal'.

To illustrate this, I created a 'font test' epub file that uses embedded fonts, with samples of each font in the Caecilia and Helvetica Neue family (well. I messed up on Caecilia Heavy, it is actually Bold.). Now, if you compare the two devices, with larger sizes in the same typeface, to my eye at least, they're indistinguishable. It's only the smaller sizes where Nook looks 'lighter'. And one could even argue that by 'artificially' increasing the weight of the smaller sizes, Kindle is not accurately rendering the letterforms as designed, while Nook is. (But functionally, I agree, Kindle is 'better')

That said, I think Nook would do well to have a 'saturation' adjustment like Sony. This would shift the grey anti-aliased pixels to the blacker ranges and would make the smaller text sizes more readable (Kindle has a similar feature but it only applies to the PDF viewer). Since Nook potentially can display virtually any font (via font embedding), it could help improve the reading experience when a font with relatively narrow strokes is used (any strokes less than a few pixels wide start to fade out due to anti-aliasing).

To get a flavor of this, bring up the Text options panel, select the smallest text size, then dismiss it. The text that is redrawn under the panel looks noticeably darker (at least on my Nook), though it is a little subtle perhaps.

The more I read on my Nook, the less I am bothered by light text, and I would prioritize fixing several other things over doing anything about this. And though Kindle's text looks darker in smaller sizes, its typography (lacking hyphenation even of hard coded hyphens and em dashes) is not nearly as good, often leaving poorly justified text and rivers of white space (compounded because the default margins are too wide—fortunately there's a very easy hack to correct this). So overall I prefer Nook's text rendering to Kindle's.