DR800 in direct sunlight

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by garywitscher

I'm not 100% certain, but it seems to me that it's not so much the direct sunlight as it is the temperature of the unit. Often I'll keep my DR800 in my car, and then at some point stop at a park for some reading. During hot days it can get very warm from being in the car. When I take it out to read the text is almost to light to see. As soon as the screen cools down a bit the text darkens to normal. If the sun is shining right on the screen it will heat up again and the text will lighten, all I have to do is point it away from the sun and the text darkens. It seems to me that I can feel the over heated screen if I put my hand on it.

That's one of the speculations. EInk says the operating temperature of their displays is 0C - 50C (aka 122F). It's possible in direct sunlight that a localized portion of the screen gets above 50C.

[Dulin's Books]

Originally Posted by Franky

it's interesting that none of the device manufacturers, display manufacturers, or patent holders of eInk have given any public information about this.

Originally Posted by Shaggy

I don't think it has anything specifically to do with the DR800. It's a problem with eInk in general. Some displays work find in the sun, others do not. I've never seen any official explanation for what happens, or why it happens.

I have written on it around Mobile Read a few times. It is not in the e-ink layer it is in the tft layer of the display panel. TFT layers can be negatively effected by ultraviolet. normally they are coated to get rid of this problem. PVI has created some displays/ display batches without the coating. I spoke to a PVI rep at SID and they said they have absolutely fixed this issue going forward and that any one who has the issue should get a replacement.

but they were also being difficult with some of the oems. All of my customers that have reported the problem have new devices already or they are on the way.

the problem here being that you cant send yours back to Irex.

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by Dulin's Books

I have written on it around Mobile Read a few times. It is not in the e-ink layer it is in the tft layer of the display panel. TFT layers can be negatively effected by infrared. normally they are coated to get rid of this problem. PVI has created some display display batches without the coating. I spoke to a PVI rep at SID and they said they have absolutely fixed this issue going forward and that any one who has the issue should get a replacement.

Are there any links or sources that contain this information, or is it only based on verbal communication you've had with them?

[Dulin's Books]

i couldnt find any source for the problem which is why i asked them directly at SID. The e-ink guys who developed the new higher contrast pearl said it had to be a TFT problem. The e-ink film is just not reactive that way. Then i asked the PVI reps who were there and they said it was definitely a TFT problem etc etc. They didn't have this problem until a certain run of Vizplex. early Visplex panels did not and they don't now.

As far as I know this is only in writing where I have written it. If anyone else has asked directly and been given an answer then they havent reported it where I've been able to find.

BUT every brand that has faced the problem - and I think now with this report its all of them- has been replacing them under warranty. Onyx had a bit of a row with PVI over it as they had some trouble getting them to provide replacements. I figure that was a stalling tactic so they could produce enough to meet the demand AND still provide for new orders.

[penartur]

I have this problem on Sony PRS500 - with 1st gen E-Ink (not Vizplex).

[Dulin's Books]

yes i understand there were some/many/ a quantity of PRS 500s and iliads which faced this issue as well. it suggests either sloppy QC or attempts to cust costs.

edit to my previous post- i mean to say UV not infrared. i have edited the previous post