Why Should I Choose a Bookeen?

[Godzil]

Originally Posted by ToboldH

but I thought I read somewhere than Pearl has 16 shades while "older" displays are only capable of displaying 8 shades.

That's wrong. Kindle 2 don't have Pearl but have 16 level of gray (LoG). Some newer Gen3 Gold have 16 LoG (but that's not the majority).

For Sipix too, all screen are 16 LoG!

For the eInk case, this is not related directly to the screen but it's due to licenses issues with eInk and depends on the waveform they give to the manufacturer for a batch of screen. If they give you 8 Grayscale waveform you can't do 16 grayscale.


This issue is mainly due to Sony because with the metronome controller and at the start of the use of the Epson controller, only 8 LoG waveform was available for mass production. And the PRS700 and PRS600 share the same software (with minors tweaks on the 600) and only use 8 grayscales dispite the availability of 16 LoG waveforms.

Since the Pearl only offer 16 LoG waveforms, they where "forced to use them".

[Godzil]

Originally Posted by HarryT

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).

Not necessarily, but it's true that Apollo can"t do more than 4 Grayscale, Metronome 8 Grayscale, but the Epson can do both 8 Grayscale or 16 Grayscale and it will depend on the "software" side not the hardware.

[ToboldH]

Thanks, Godzil.

I appreciate your taking the time to elaborate.

Unfortunately, having just ordered a Kindle DX, thinking it would be better for reading my technical books (in PDF) than my Cybook, I am now almost regretting the purchase. I suppose the bigger screen will still be advantageous, but I suspect I may be disappointed, expecting too much. Time will tell.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by ToboldH

Thanks, Godzil.

I appreciate your taking the time to elaborate.

Unfortunately, having just ordered a Kindle DX, thinking it would be better for reading my technical books (in PDF) than my Cybook, I am now almost regretting the purchase. I suppose the bigger screen will still be advantageous, but I suspect I may be disappointed, expecting too much. Time will tell.

The larger screen will make all the difference. You need a big screen for acceptable PDF reading. I'm sure you'll be very happy with the DX.

[ToboldH]

Thanks, Harry.

I can't wait to try it. I need to wait another 2 to 3 weeks, then I should have it in my hands. I will continue to use my Cybook 3 for novels though, as I really like it for some reason. Perhaps it's just a "first love" thing, my first experience of e-ink.

[Leyor]

Just to get back to the original topic.

Been extremely happy with my Cybook 3. Light, durable and acceptable page turns.