Permanently screen fading over time problem in e-ink readers

jack0909 · 09-08-2010, 10:51 PM

There are two kinds of screen fading problems in online reports, which has affected various brands such as Sony readers, iRex DR1000, Kindle 2...

[1] Ink permanently fade after using a period of time (1 year, 1.5 years...)

[2] Temporally sun fade.

Aren't there any problems above in Kindle DX devices? Does Electrophoretic ink get unstable over time based on the aging and fragile interaction between ink bubbles and electronic charges?

SameOldStory · 09-08-2010, 11:31 PM

I've heard, here and there, about a few people with washed out screens possible due to over exposure to the sun.

But can you give us references to these "online reports"?

jack0909 · 09-08-2010, 11:44 PM

You may use keywords "e ink screen fading" via google search to find those reports.

SameOldStory · 09-08-2010, 11:58 PM

Thanks, but I was hoping to read the "online reports" that you were referring to.

It's not necessary to provide a link. But it is courteous to do so.

When I type "e ink screen fading" into google I only get 2 main references pointing to MobileRead, your thread and an old one dated May 11, 2007.

jack0909 · 09-09-2010, 12:16 AM

It's certainly more than two main references. You may search in some webites such as www.kindleboards.com and Sony readers-related websites.

daffy4u · 09-09-2010, 12:25 AM

I've owned my Kindle 1 for over 3 years and and K2 for nearly 1.5 years (since it's release). Unless the fading is in very small increments that are hard to detect, I've seen no sign of it. I've also not had sun fading issues either.

There seem to have been some screen quality control problems that didn't hit everyone but a noticeable number of people had issues.

basschick · 09-09-2010, 01:24 AM

had my cybook for over 2 years with no sign of fading. not saying fading never happens, but it didn't happen to me, and i use my cybook a lot.

nohmi2 · 09-09-2010, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daffy4u

I've owned my Kindle 1 for over 3 years and and K2 for nearly 1.5 years (since it's release). Unless the fading is in very small increments that are hard to detect, I've seen no sign of it. I've also not had sun fading issues either.

There seem to have been some screen quality control problems that didn't hit everyone but a noticeable number of people had issues.

Like you I have had no fading on my Kindle. I also have had an iRiver Story for a few months, and am going to keep an eye on whether it starts fading.

Cheers.

Stormchild · 09-09-2010, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jack0909

It's certainly more than two main references. You may search in some webites such as www.kindleboards.com and Sony readers-related websites.

I am with SameOldStory. The only references to a permanent screen fade are you on here and on the Kindleboards. In two years of being involved with e-ink machines I have never heard of a permanent fade, only the sun fade issue. What is it that you are trying to achieve/find out?

StanByk · 09-09-2010, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jack0909

You may use keywords "e ink screen fading" via google search to find those reports.

If you make claims you should back them up with references!!!
Just saying go and find them yourself is a bit poor!!!

Richey79 · 09-09-2010, 04:01 AM

This thread has turned into 'who has the oldest surviving eink reader that hasn't suffered any noticable screen-fade? '

Much better than another Chicken-Licken thread!

Sweetpea · 09-09-2010, 04:02 AM

I have my BBMini for a year now, I have let it (purposefully) lay in the sun for longer periods, and the screen is still as clear as it was when I first unpacked it. Even after long exposure times to the sun (and I'm talking about letting it lay on the table outside, in the full sun while I was doing something else)

jack0909 · 09-09-2010, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StanByk

If you make claims you should back them up with references!!!
Just saying go and find them yourself is a bit poor!!!

------------

You may see the following links about the complains of screen fading over time (or other factor) problem in e-ink readers. Someone said that it is a inherent problem of e-ink screen. I don't know whether e-ink screen producer has solved the problem perfectly or it will occur after using a period of time due to aging interaction between ink bubbles and electronic charges.

http://www.kindleboards.com/index.php?topic=6435.0

http://www.kindleboards.com/index.php?topic=11398.0

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...=screen+fading

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...=screen+fading

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...=screen+fading

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...32&mode=linear

http://www.mobileread.mobi/forums/sh...t=84347&page=2

......

-- still have many such links.

Stormchild · 09-09-2010, 04:50 AM

Jack.
Everyone of those threads refer to a known issue with some batches of E-ink screens and sunlight. Not one refers to a long term fading problem. If an e-ink screen has this problem it is covered by manufacturers warranty. I still do not understand the purpose of this thread. What is it that you are trying to achieve?

HarryT · 09-09-2010, 04:51 AM

First generation eInk screens, such as that used by the Sony PRS-500, certainly did fade somewhat over time - there were many reports about it here around 2006 and 2007. However, they seemed to fade to a certain level and then stabilize at that level.

I've not seen any reports of permanent fading in 2nd generation (Vizplex) screens, which almost all current eInk devices use, and obviously 3rd generation (Pearl) screens are too new for anyone to know whether this effect exists or not.

09-08-2010, 10:51 PM	#1
jack0909 Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: iRex DR 1000	Permanently screen fading over time problem in e-ink readers There are two kinds of screen fading problems in online reports, which has affected various brands such as Sony readers, iRex DR1000, Kindle 2... [1] Ink permanently fade after using a period of time (1 year, 1.5 years...) [2] Temporally sun fade. Aren't there any problems above in Kindle DX devices? Does Electrophoretic ink get unstable over time based on the aging and fragile interaction between ink bubbles and electronic charges?

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09-08-2010, 11:31 PM	#2
SameOldStory My True Self Posts: 3,126 Karma: 66242098 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Trantor, Galactic Center Device: Galaxy Tab 2 7.0	I've heard, here and there, about a few people with washed out screens possible due to over exposure to the sun. But can you give us references to these "online reports"?

09-08-2010, 11:44 PM	#3
jack0909 Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: iRex DR 1000	You may use keywords "e ink screen fading" via google search to find those reports.

09-08-2010, 11:58 PM	#4
SameOldStory My True Self Posts: 3,126 Karma: 66242098 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Trantor, Galactic Center Device: Galaxy Tab 2 7.0	Thanks, but I was hoping to read the "online reports" that you were referring to. It's not necessary to provide a link. But it is courteous to do so. When I type "e ink screen fading" into google I only get 2 main references pointing to MobileRead, your thread and an old one dated May 11, 2007.

09-09-2010, 12:16 AM	#5
jack0909 Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: iRex DR 1000	It's certainly more than two main references. You may search in some webites such as www.kindleboards.com and Sony readers-related websites.

09-09-2010, 12:25 AM	#6
daffy4u I'm Super Kindle-icious Posts: 6,734 Karma: 2434103 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis	I've owned my Kindle 1 for over 3 years and and K2 for nearly 1.5 years (since it's release). Unless the fading is in very small increments that are hard to detect, I've seen no sign of it. I've also not had sun fading issues either. There seem to have been some screen quality control problems that didn't hit everyone but a noticeable number of people had issues.

09-09-2010, 01:24 AM	#7
basschick Wizard Posts: 1,096 Karma: 4695691 Join Date: May 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	had my cybook for over 2 years with no sign of fading. not saying fading never happens, but it didn't happen to me, and i use my cybook a lot.

09-09-2010, 04:01 AM	#11
Richey79 mrkrgnao Posts: 241 Karma: 237248 Join Date: May 2010 Device: PRS650, K3 Wireless, Galaxy S3, iPad 3.	This thread has turned into 'who has the oldest surviving eink reader that hasn't suffered any noticable screen-fade? ' Much better than another Chicken-Licken thread!

09-09-2010, 04:02 AM	#12
Sweetpea Grand Sorcerer Posts: 9,707 Karma: 32763414 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Krewerd Device: Pocketbook Inkpad 4 Color; Samsung Galaxy Tab S6	I have my BBMini for a year now, I have let it (purposefully) lay in the sun for longer periods, and the screen is still as clear as it was when I first unpacked it. Even after long exposure times to the sun (and I'm talking about letting it lay on the table outside, in the full sun while I was doing something else)

09-09-2010, 04:50 AM	#14
Stormchild Evangelist Posts: 466 Karma: 878943 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Cornwall UK Device: BeBook 1. BeBook Mini. BeBook Neo and Club. BeBook Live. BeeBook Pure.	Jack. Everyone of those threads refer to a known issue with some batches of E-ink screens and sunlight. Not one refers to a long term fading problem. If an e-ink screen has this problem it is covered by manufacturers warranty. I still do not understand the purpose of this thread. What is it that you are trying to achieve?

09-09-2010, 04:51 AM	#15
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	First generation eInk screens, such as that used by the Sony PRS-500, certainly did fade somewhat over time - there were many reports about it here around 2006 and 2007. However, they seemed to fade to a certain level and then stabilize at that level. I've not seen any reports of permanent fading in 2nd generation (Vizplex) screens, which almost all current eInk devices use, and obviously 3rd generation (Pearl) screens are too new for anyone to know whether this effect exists or not.

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