Returned kindle 2 for low text contrast - Page 3

JSWolf · 03-04-2009, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by humblemumble

I thought that the kindle 2 had a better screen than original???

The K2 has exactly the same 6" Vizplex screen as the K1 and the 505. The difference is the screen controller driving the screen and the software driving the controller.Amazon could make the letters a bit darker if they want. It's a software issue.

Bookathon · 03-05-2009, 11:18 AM

Amazon customer service has acknowledged this issue in this thread

http://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Please-...&cdSort=oldest

Madam Broshkina · 03-05-2009, 05:32 PM

I just got the 2.01 update via whispernet at the text appears darker. Before when I did the Alt G refresh there was a noticeable difference, now when I do the Alt G refresh I can discern no difference at all.

Ian · 03-05-2009, 05:36 PM

Hi-

I just got 2.0.1 but sadly notice no difference in the standard text "weight." I still notice the text get visibly darker when I hit alt-g.

-Ian

Madam Broshkina · 03-05-2009, 05:49 PM

I have read some of the amazon forums and some see a difference and some don't. Before the update I could see a difference between my 505 and the Kindle, now I do not.

sirbruce · 03-05-2009, 06:22 PM

The weight hasn't changed, but I think the background may be a shade lighter in 2.0.1.

pilotbob · 03-05-2009, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirbruce

The weight hasn't changed, but I think the background may be a shade lighter in 2.0.1.

I can't imagine how that could be. The background of the kindle is the screen. They can't change the physical properties of the screen itself.

BOb

sirbruce · 03-06-2009, 04:30 AM

Well, I suppose you *could* draw the whole screen with the lightest level of greyscale... but that does seem wasteful, doesn't it? I have no idea. A couple of people think they notice a difference and many don't; maybe it's just our imaginations.

josgood · 03-06-2009, 08:01 AM

The Kindle 2 is my first reader so I don't have any thing to compare it to. I must say I am a bit underwhelmed with the screen contrast. I was expecting much better. If this can be fixed with a firmware update I hope they do it soon! Jack

pilotbob · 03-06-2009, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirbruce

Well, I suppose you *could* draw the whole screen with the lightest level of greyscale... but that does seem wasteful, doesn't it? I have no idea. A couple of people think they notice a difference and many don't; maybe it's just our imaginations.

It could be that they made the font a bit heavier. Which would provide more of a contrast due to darkening the foreground rather than lightening the background.

BOb

m42 · 03-06-2009, 10:47 AM

Amazon sent me another Kindle also. The contrast is slightly improved, but still not as good as my sony. Where do I download this firmware update? (never mind I found it) If the contrast doesn't improve I'm going to have to return it. I'm squinting when I read. For a 300 plus device this is unacceptable.

sirbruce · 03-06-2009, 11:04 AM

Why don't you just up the front size?

m42 · 03-06-2009, 11:12 AM

I did. The contrast was very bad in all lighting. It looks like soggy newspaper or something. They were quick to give me a new one. But the pics are lovely.

elainevdw · 03-06-2009, 01:15 PM

Man, I wonder if I should call customer service about my K2? The contrast is really bugging me. I increased the font size, but it's still only really comfortable to read in full sunlight. Which is odd, because normally reading paper items in full sunlight hurts my eyes.

I thought maybe it was a product of the Kindle being so white, that it made the e-paper look greyer.

I was thinking about this the other day -- I thoroughly love my Kindle after only a week of using it ... but the one thing that would get me to give it up for something else would be substantially better contrast.

As far as bold. They shouldn't use a darker color for bold, they should increase the font weight. Geez.

tsgreer · 03-06-2009, 04:36 PM

I personally think that if we had the ability to change fonts on the Kindle, this would be a non-issue. I like a heavier font--not bold, but a bit heavier than the font they used for my Kindle 1.

If they made the font a bit lighter for Kindle 2, then I can see why there are so many complaints...

I love my Kindle 1, but not happy with the font.

03-06-2009, 10:47 AM	#41
m42 Enthusiast Posts: 38 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2006 Device: Kindle fire and paperwhite, Ipad mini and Retina, Note 2, Nook tab,HD	Amazon sent me another Kindle also. The contrast is slightly improved, but still not as good as my sony. Where do I download this firmware update? (never mind I found it) If the contrast doesn't improve I'm going to have to return it. I'm squinting when I read. For a 300 plus device this is unacceptable. Last edited by m42; 03-06-2009 at 11:00 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Classic Nook Contrast Low?	IsLNdbOi	Barnes & Noble NOOK	9	07-08-2010 10:11 AM
PRS-600: low contrast, reflective screen	ebookreaders	Sony Reader	6	09-11-2009 01:39 PM
text contrast	liguy	Astak EZReader	2	09-07-2009 08:36 PM
text contrast	dhylton	Sony Reader	7	04-08-2009 12:41 PM
Grey/low-contrast Reader screen?	Fauve	Sony Reader	39	09-05-2007 05:15 AM

03-05-2009, 11:18 AM	#32
Bookathon Bookaholic Posts: 72 Karma: 142 Join Date: Dec 2008 Device: Kindle 1, 3, Ipad	Amazon customer service has acknowledged this issue in this thread http://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Please-...&cdSort=oldest

03-05-2009, 05:32 PM	#33
Madam Broshkina Manic Do Fuse Posts: 2,312 Karma: 3325462 Join Date: Oct 2006 Device: Sony 500, 505, 350, Kindle 3, DXG, nook, Irex DR800SG, iPad	I just got the 2.01 update via whispernet at the text appears darker. Before when I did the Alt G refresh there was a noticeable difference, now when I do the Alt G refresh I can discern no difference at all.

03-05-2009, 05:36 PM	#34
Ian Member Posts: 17 Karma: 34 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kindle	Hi- I just got 2.0.1 but sadly notice no difference in the standard text "weight." I still notice the text get visibly darker when I hit alt-g. -Ian

03-05-2009, 05:49 PM	#35
Madam Broshkina Manic Do Fuse Posts: 2,312 Karma: 3325462 Join Date: Oct 2006 Device: Sony 500, 505, 350, Kindle 3, DXG, nook, Irex DR800SG, iPad	I have read some of the amazon forums and some see a difference and some don't. Before the update I could see a difference between my 505 and the Kindle, now I do not.

03-05-2009, 06:22 PM	#36
sirbruce Provocateur Posts: 1,859 Karma: 505847 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Columbus, OH Device: Kindle Touch, Kindle 2, Kindle DX, iPhone 3GS	The weight hasn't changed, but I think the background may be a shade lighter in 2.0.1.

03-06-2009, 04:30 AM	#38
sirbruce Provocateur Posts: 1,859 Karma: 505847 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Columbus, OH Device: Kindle Touch, Kindle 2, Kindle DX, iPhone 3GS	Well, I suppose you could draw the whole screen with the lightest level of greyscale... but that does seem wasteful, doesn't it? I have no idea. A couple of people think they notice a difference and many don't; maybe it's just our imaginations.

03-06-2009, 08:01 AM	#39
josgood Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kindle 2.0	The Kindle 2 is my first reader so I don't have any thing to compare it to. I must say I am a bit underwhelmed with the screen contrast. I was expecting much better. If this can be fixed with a firmware update I hope they do it soon! Jack

03-06-2009, 11:04 AM	#42
sirbruce Provocateur Posts: 1,859 Karma: 505847 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Columbus, OH Device: Kindle Touch, Kindle 2, Kindle DX, iPhone 3GS	Why don't you just up the front size?

03-06-2009, 11:12 AM	#43
m42 Enthusiast Posts: 38 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2006 Device: Kindle fire and paperwhite, Ipad mini and Retina, Note 2, Nook tab,HD	I did. The contrast was very bad in all lighting. It looks like soggy newspaper or something. They were quick to give me a new one. But the pics are lovely.

03-06-2009, 01:15 PM	#44
elainevdw Member Posts: 22 Karma: 18 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Reno, NV, USA Device: Kindle 2	Man, I wonder if I should call customer service about my K2? The contrast is really bugging me. I increased the font size, but it's still only really comfortable to read in full sunlight. Which is odd, because normally reading paper items in full sunlight hurts my eyes. I thought maybe it was a product of the Kindle being so white, that it made the e-paper look greyer. I was thinking about this the other day -- I thoroughly love my Kindle after only a week of using it ... but the one thing that would get me to give it up for something else would be substantially better contrast. As far as bold. They shouldn't use a darker color for bold, they should increase the font weight. Geez.

03-06-2009, 04:36 PM	#45
tsgreer Lovin' the e-book life... Posts: 633 Karma: 2509 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Colorado Device: Ebookwise 1150, Sony PRS-505, Amazon Kindle, BeBook (with OpenInkpot)	I personally think that if we had the ability to change fonts on the Kindle, this would be a non-issue. I like a heavier font--not bold, but a bit heavier than the font they used for my Kindle 1. If they made the font a bit lighter for Kindle 2, then I can see why there are so many complaints... I love my Kindle 1, but not happy with the font.