PRS-600 Screen Washed Out - Page 4

Mike_73 · 03-03-2010, 03:38 PM

Hey, that sounds awesome. Hope the new reader is better. I'm glad for you that Sony sends you a new reader

mapabl · 03-03-2010, 04:16 PM

This is quite frustrating to me. I live in Wisconsin so we don't have many sunny days in winter but today is actually like spring so I went outside with my bright, new red PRS-600, turned on my player and the writing was just as inside - then I turned the page and the screen was AWFUL. It was actually unreadable. I pressed HOME button and that screen was not quite as bad with darker and lighter horizontal lines running through it. I cannot believe that this is acceptable to Sony. I can read my Kindle 2 with no problem outside - in sun and shade - so the e-ink theory does not hold up for me.
Wow - this would've been a dealbreaker for me. I'm so disheartened now for summer reading of my library books. I wish I would've seen this thread prior to purchasing. Crapolla! Mary from WI

mapabl · 03-03-2010, 05:02 PM

I also just remembered that my touch screen is one that you can hear a buzz on each time you turn a page or touch the screen. If I press the forward or back button, there is no buzz - just an actual touch of the screen starts the buzzing. The buzzing is much more pronounced in a quiet room.
Perhaps there is a correlation between these screens that wash out and the buzzing. ??

conundrum · 03-03-2010, 05:11 PM

hi..

this is interesting, and i may be able to explain.

it seems that the calibration of the e-ink waveform is temperature dependent, such that if the temperature sensor is badly calibrated then the waveform becomes incorrect leading to ghosting and unwanted fading.
this could be fixed by including an ambient light sensor similar to the one found on the ipod touch and some newer phones... maybe someone needs to write a "Recalibrate your display waveform" application.

i also noticed this problem on my '505 and had noticed a contrast issue on my '600 but assumed wrongly that it was due to grey scales etc.

Tried on my reader and no change when hand over part of screen next to an infrared heater. Perhaps its UV then?
regards, -A

lilac_jive · 03-03-2010, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mapabl

I also just remembered that my touch screen is one that you can hear a buzz on each time you turn a page or touch the screen. If I press the forward or back button, there is no buzz - just an actual touch of the screen starts the buzzing. The buzzing is much more pronounced in a quiet room.
Perhaps there is a correlation between these screens that wash out and the buzzing. ??

No, mine doesn't buzz at all. Your Reader should not buzz. Return that baby! Hopefully your replacement unit won't have the fading problem either.

Xochipilli2012 · 03-03-2010, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emonti8384

I called Sony and they said the same thing-try a soft, then hard reset. I qualified for the advanced exchange program so they are sending me another reader. I hope there's some sort of sunshine in the next week or so, that way I can compare the one they are sending me with the one I have.

I don't want to celebrate too early here, but Sony seems to have come through. My replacement arrived yesterday (they sent it 2nd day air from Laredo) and unfortunately it was overcast all day. But even under those conditions the new unit had a lighter background and darker e-ink.

The sun poked out today for a few minutes here and there and I was able to test the same document on both readers to compare. The new unit seems to fade ever so slightly in bright sun, but nothing like the completely washed out effect on my original reader. I'll try attaching some photos to illustrate the difference between the two. It was a challenge to find a photo where the PRS-600 amazingly reflective screen didn't compromise the image, but I think the two I plan to post will make the point clearly enough.

In my case, it was worth replacing the unit, and because I was within 90 days of my purchase date, I qualified for the "Advanced Exchange Program" so I didn't even need to go without my reader for a single day.

Sony may be challenging to deal with over the phone, but in this instance, they seem to be doing a good job.

I'm glad (so far) that I made the effort.

Cheers!

kennyc · 03-03-2010, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emonti8384

I called Sony and they said the same thing-try a soft, then hard reset. I qualified for the advanced exchange program so they are sending me another reader. I hope there's some sort of sunshine in the next week or so, that way I can compare the one they are sending me with the one I have.

Wonderful!

kennyc · 03-03-2010, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mapabl

This is quite frustrating to me. I live in Wisconsin so we don't have many sunny days in winter but today is actually like spring so I went outside with my bright, new red PRS-600, turned on my player and the writing was just as inside - then I turned the page and the screen was AWFUL. It was actually unreadable. I pressed HOME button and that screen was not quite as bad with darker and lighter horizontal lines running through it. I cannot believe that this is acceptable to Sony. I can read my Kindle 2 with no problem outside - in sun and shade - so the e-ink theory does not hold up for me.
Wow - this would've been a dealbreaker for me. I'm so disheartened now for summer reading of my library books. I wish I would've seen this thread prior to purchasing. Crapolla! Mary from WI

Oh no. I think you need to return/exchange it!

That is not acceptable!

I've had three different Sony Readers -- two 505s and a 900 and all have been fine.

kennyc · 03-03-2010, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xochipilli2012

I don't want to celebrate too early here, but Sony seems to have come through. My replacement arrived yesterday (they sent it 2nd day air from Laredo) and unfortunately it was overcast all day. But even under those conditions the new unit had a lighter background and darker e-ink.

The sun poked out today for a few minutes here and there and I was able to test the same document on both readers to compare. The new unit seems to fade ever so slightly in bright sun, but nothing like the completely washed out effect on my original reader. I'll try attaching some photos to illustrate the difference between the two. It was a challenge to find a photo where the PRS-600 amazingly reflective screen didn't compromise the image, but I think the two I plan to post will make the point clearly enough.

In my case, it was worth replacing the unit, and because I was within 90 days of my purchase date, I qualified for the "Advanced Exchange Program" so I didn't even need to go without my reader for a single day.

Sony may be challenging to deal with over the phone, but in this instance, they seem to be doing a good job.

I'm glad (so far) that I made the effort.

Cheers!

Wonderful!

Xochipilli2012 · 03-03-2010, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennyc

Wonderful!

Thanks mate!

lilac_jive · 03-03-2010, 09:07 PM

Glad to hear you got a working unit

That fading is pretty bad. Mine doesn't get that bad, but maybe I don't let it in the sun long enough (usually at the most a few seconds before I cover it).

emonti8384 · 03-04-2010, 12:09 PM

Finally, some sunshine! I went out today and checked my 505 and my silver 600-they were both fine. The black 600 was not so fine. I don't know, maybe I'm being stupid about it-I mean, I have 2 other readers that work perfectly fine. But I want to keep those as back up readers; I don't want to have to switch back and forth between 2 readers for indoor and outdoor reading. I do a lot of fishing and reading outside in the summertime and I want to use my black reader. I am supposed to get the replacement within the next 3 days, so hopefully before Saturday. I hope the sun is shining when I get it, they said I only had 3 days to send either reader back!

ziegl027 · 03-04-2010, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xochipilli2012

Sony may be challenging to deal with over the phone, but in this instance, they seem to be doing a good job.

I'm glad (so far) that I made the effort.

Cheers!

Hmm. Maybe I'll look into getting a replacement after all. Thing is, I don't know if it'll get sunny enough here to give it a replacement a good check in a timely manner!

KDawg · 03-05-2010, 08:50 AM

Add my 900 to the list. My fade looks just like what's in the photos I've seen posted here.

Last weekend was the first time since I bought the 900 that it was warm enough to read on the deck (mid 50s). It isn't a heat issue, the screen wasn't even warm to the touch, much less hot.

Yesterday I was reading by the window in strong sunlight and had the same problem, so it's no longer just an outdoor problem.

I don't recall noticing this on my 505. I'll do some comparison tests this weekend.

kennyc · 03-05-2010, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KDawg

Add my 900 to the list. My fade looks just like what's in the photos I've seen posted here.

Last weekend was the first time since I bought the 900 that it was warm enough to read on the deck (mid 50s). It isn't a heat issue, the screen wasn't even warm to the touch, much less hot.

Yesterday I was reading by the window in strong sunlight and had the same problem, so it's no longer just an outdoor problem.

I don't recall noticing this on my 505. I'll do some comparison tests this weekend.

Sorry! Keep us posted. Is this a relatively new 900? i.e. can you exchange it?

03-03-2010, 04:16 PM	#47
mapabl Enthusiast Posts: 43 Karma: 42721 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: WI Device: iPad Air, iPad Mini. Nook Glo, Kindle Paperwhite,	My New PRS-600 is washed out This is quite frustrating to me. I live in Wisconsin so we don't have many sunny days in winter but today is actually like spring so I went outside with my bright, new red PRS-600, turned on my player and the writing was just as inside - then I turned the page and the screen was AWFUL. It was actually unreadable. I pressed HOME button and that screen was not quite as bad with darker and lighter horizontal lines running through it. I cannot believe that this is acceptable to Sony. I can read my Kindle 2 with no problem outside - in sun and shade - so the e-ink theory does not hold up for me. Wow - this would've been a dealbreaker for me. I'm so disheartened now for summer reading of my library books. I wish I would've seen this thread prior to purchasing. Crapolla! Mary from WI

03-03-2010, 05:02 PM	#48
mapabl Enthusiast Posts: 43 Karma: 42721 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: WI Device: iPad Air, iPad Mini. Nook Glo, Kindle Paperwhite,	Screen washing out and buzzing as well - correlation? I also just remembered that my touch screen is one that you can hear a buzz on each time you turn a page or touch the screen. If I press the forward or back button, there is no buzz - just an actual touch of the screen starts the buzzing. The buzzing is much more pronounced in a quiet room. Perhaps there is a correlation between these screens that wash out and the buzzing. ??

03-03-2010, 05:11 PM	#49
conundrum Enthusiast Posts: 42 Karma: 22 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: guernsey Device: prs-600	hi.. this is interesting, and i may be able to explain. it seems that the calibration of the e-ink waveform is temperature dependent, such that if the temperature sensor is badly calibrated then the waveform becomes incorrect leading to ghosting and unwanted fading. this could be fixed by including an ambient light sensor similar to the one found on the ipod touch and some newer phones... maybe someone needs to write a "Recalibrate your display waveform" application. i also noticed this problem on my '505 and had noticed a contrast issue on my '600 but assumed wrongly that it was due to grey scales etc. Tried on my reader and no change when hand over part of screen next to an infrared heater. Perhaps its UV then? regards, -A Last edited by conundrum; 03-03-2010 at 05:16 PM.

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03-03-2010, 03:38 PM	#46
Mike_73 Guru Posts: 750 Karma: 1323 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: PRS-505, PRS-600, iPad 16GB Wifi, Kindle Voyage, Nexus 6, Razr HD	Hey, that sounds awesome. Hope the new reader is better. I'm glad for you that Sony sends you a new reader

03-03-2010, 09:07 PM	#56
lilac_jive Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,870 Karma: 27376 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Device: PRS-505	Glad to hear you got a working unit That fading is pretty bad. Mine doesn't get that bad, but maybe I don't let it in the sun long enough (usually at the most a few seconds before I cover it).

03-04-2010, 12:09 PM	#57
emonti8384 browneyedgurl Posts: 523 Karma: 356470 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Warren, OH Device: PRS-505/950x2, PRS-600 silver, Galaxy III purple, T2 black	Finally, some sunshine! I went out today and checked my 505 and my silver 600-they were both fine. The black 600 was not so fine. I don't know, maybe I'm being stupid about it-I mean, I have 2 other readers that work perfectly fine. But I want to keep those as back up readers; I don't want to have to switch back and forth between 2 readers for indoor and outdoor reading. I do a lot of fishing and reading outside in the summertime and I want to use my black reader. I am supposed to get the replacement within the next 3 days, so hopefully before Saturday. I hope the sun is shining when I get it, they said I only had 3 days to send either reader back!

03-05-2010, 08:50 AM	#59
KDawg Junior Senior Posts: 94 Karma: 81 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Raleigh, NC Device: nookColor, nook, PRS-900, PRS-505, PRS-500, Kindle PW, Kindle Oasis	Add my 900 to the list. My fade looks just like what's in the photos I've seen posted here. Last weekend was the first time since I bought the 900 that it was warm enough to read on the deck (mid 50s). It isn't a heat issue, the screen wasn't even warm to the touch, much less hot. Yesterday I was reading by the window in strong sunlight and had the same problem, so it's no longer just an outdoor problem. I don't recall noticing this on my 505. I'll do some comparison tests this weekend.

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