Aura Dark band on top and bottom of screen

kennethv93 · 08-06-2014, 08:09 PM

Hi, I bought the Kobo Aura 4 days ago and I'm really happy with (as I already read 3 books with it

). There's just this one thing: when I put on the frontlight there is a dark band at the top and the bottom of the screen (see pictures). I don't know if everyone has these bands. If so, I can live with it and hope the manufacturers can perfect this technology. If this is a production fault however, I'd like to know if I should return this unit and ask for a new one.

Note: I saw a thread about someone having the same issue with the Kobo GLO. As the Aura is a newer model I thought maybe Kobo sorted this issue out.

mr_nihilism · 08-06-2014, 08:32 PM

I was one of the early adopters of the Aura and ended up returning three because of various reasons including what you describe. All said and done I consider that reader to be a flawed product.

robko · 08-06-2014, 08:41 PM

I agree. Those lines are too dark and noticeable to be considered normal. I'd exchange it.

kennethv93 · 08-06-2014, 08:52 PM

Okay, thanks a lot for the fast reply guys! I'll ask for a new one.

Ripplinger · 08-06-2014, 09:17 PM

It's not so much that there's a dark band, but there's a brighter line of light at the very top coming out from under the frame. Put something over that thin line of light and see if you notice the top band as much.

I think it's more to do with an imprecise placement of the screen in relation to the frame, so if a little extra light leaks from either the top or bottom, it gives the illusion of a dark band because of the contrast from that light leak to the normal brightness where the page really begins.

kennethv93 · 08-06-2014, 09:23 PM

It does help at the top of the screen when I cover the thin line of light, but at the bottom it's still quite dark. If it's an imprecise placement of the screen as you say (and probably is), it still needs to be replaced right?

Ripplinger · 08-06-2014, 09:46 PM

The LEDs are placed at the bottom, so it's normal to see some shading there. Some units show minimal cone shapes, others are quite pronounced.

If it bothers you, try to get a replacement by all means. You will be looking at that with every single page you read. You might ask to open the new reader in the store to see if it has the same issue or not (if you have that option, not sure if you ordered it direct from Kobo or purchased it locally).

kennethv93 · 08-06-2014, 11:17 PM

I'm really grateful for your detailed replies. Here in Belgium it's impossible to buy a Kobo or a Kindle in the local stores because none of the stores sell them. Everything has to be bought online. I've changed my mind about returning it (thanks to you). First of all it'll take a long time to return it and get a new one (which probably has the same dark band as mine) and I don't think it's worth the effort. I just read a few minutes with the front light on and I don't really mind it at all. Second of all, I don't use the light a lot. When there's external light possible (any lamp close to me) I use that because I feel like it reads better than with the front light (and it saves battery too!).

Ripplinger · 08-06-2014, 11:27 PM

You might try just lowering the light level to the least amount you really need to read comfortably, see if that doesn't lessen that white line at the top. For myself, I leave the light on always at around 28%. When it's not needed, the page just looks a bit whiter with more contrast, and it's more than enough to read even in a totally dark room for me. I also find it's a minimal battery drain, I still go a few weeks between recharging. And I never have to fool with the light.

Jellby · 08-07-2014, 03:49 AM

I think mine has something similar, but it doesn't bother me because: (1) I almost never use the light, and (2) at least the bottom band affects only the footer, so I get no distractions in the real text.

Anyway, I wouldn't expect the lighting to be completely even if the light emitters have to be hidden under the frame.

soulfuldog · 08-07-2014, 07:54 AM

This was something that put me off the Aura a little when I was trying to decide between it and the Paperwhite a while back. I knew there might be some shadow from the lights, but I could see a dark band along the top in both the display models I got to see in person and I knew it'd really bug me!

Having the dark band along both the top and bottom in yours seems a little more of an issue though, so I'd agree with the others about returning it. It does seem to be a flaw, but it does vary and if you return it you could be hopeful of getting a replacement model where the dark band is less noticeable.

However, if it doesn't really bother you and returns are a hassle.... then that's your choice. As long as you are happy enough reading on it, that's good enough for you so why worry. Happy reading.

kennethv93 · 08-07-2014, 03:09 PM

I contacted the store after the first 2 replies I got on this thread. They actually proposed to exchange devices at my house. They'll bring a new device monday and take mine back. Now I'll get a new one without even having to leave my house.

mbovenka · 08-08-2014, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ripplinger

You might try just lowering the light level to the least amount you really need to read comfortably, see if that doesn't lessen that white line at the top. For myself, I leave the light on always at around 28%. When it's not needed, the page just looks a bit whiter with more contrast, and it's more than enough to read even in a totally dark room for me. I also find it's a minimal battery drain, I still go a few weeks between recharging. And I never have to fool with the light.

Yep, same here. I leave the light at 20% all the time, for the same reasons you do.

soulfuldog · 08-08-2014, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennethv93

I contacted the store after the first 2 replies I got on this thread. They actually proposed to exchange devices at my house. They'll bring a new device monday and take mine back. Now I'll get a new one without even having to leave my house.

Great stuff, that's good service! Hope you'll be happier with the replacement.

08-06-2014, 08:09 PM	#1
kennethv93 Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2014 Device: Kobo Aura	Dark band on top and bottom of screen Hi, I bought the Kobo Aura 4 days ago and I'm really happy with (as I already read 3 books with it ). There's just this one thing: when I put on the frontlight there is a dark band at the top and the bottom of the screen (see pictures). I don't know if everyone has these bands. If so, I can live with it and hope the manufacturers can perfect this technology. If this is a production fault however, I'd like to know if I should return this unit and ask for a new one. Note: I saw a thread about someone having the same issue with the Kobo GLO. As the Aura is a newer model I thought maybe Kobo sorted this issue out. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by kennethv93; 08-06-2014 at 08:12 PM.

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08-06-2014, 08:32 PM	#2
mr_nihilism Always been the caretaker Posts: 479 Karma: 1406369 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Canada Device: Aura H2O, PW2	I was one of the early adopters of the Aura and ended up returning three because of various reasons including what you describe. All said and done I consider that reader to be a flawed product.

08-06-2014, 08:41 PM	#3
robko Wizard Posts: 2,454 Karma: 5469320 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Kobo	I agree. Those lines are too dark and noticeable to be considered normal. I'd exchange it.

08-06-2014, 08:52 PM	#4
kennethv93 Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2014 Device: Kobo Aura	Okay, thanks a lot for the fast reply guys! I'll ask for a new one.

08-06-2014, 09:17 PM	#5
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 3,574 Karma: 8281267 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2	It's not so much that there's a dark band, but there's a brighter line of light at the very top coming out from under the frame. Put something over that thin line of light and see if you notice the top band as much. I think it's more to do with an imprecise placement of the screen in relation to the frame, so if a little extra light leaks from either the top or bottom, it gives the illusion of a dark band because of the contrast from that light leak to the normal brightness where the page really begins.

08-06-2014, 09:23 PM	#6
kennethv93 Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2014 Device: Kobo Aura	It does help at the top of the screen when I cover the thin line of light, but at the bottom it's still quite dark. If it's an imprecise placement of the screen as you say (and probably is), it still needs to be replaced right?

08-06-2014, 09:46 PM	#7
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 3,574 Karma: 8281267 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2	The LEDs are placed at the bottom, so it's normal to see some shading there. Some units show minimal cone shapes, others are quite pronounced. If it bothers you, try to get a replacement by all means. You will be looking at that with every single page you read. You might ask to open the new reader in the store to see if it has the same issue or not (if you have that option, not sure if you ordered it direct from Kobo or purchased it locally).

08-06-2014, 11:17 PM	#8
kennethv93 Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2014 Device: Kobo Aura	I'm really grateful for your detailed replies. Here in Belgium it's impossible to buy a Kobo or a Kindle in the local stores because none of the stores sell them. Everything has to be bought online. I've changed my mind about returning it (thanks to you). First of all it'll take a long time to return it and get a new one (which probably has the same dark band as mine) and I don't think it's worth the effort. I just read a few minutes with the front light on and I don't really mind it at all. Second of all, I don't use the light a lot. When there's external light possible (any lamp close to me) I use that because I feel like it reads better than with the front light (and it saves battery too!).

08-06-2014, 11:27 PM	#9
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 3,574 Karma: 8281267 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2	You might try just lowering the light level to the least amount you really need to read comfortably, see if that doesn't lessen that white line at the top. For myself, I leave the light on always at around 28%. When it's not needed, the page just looks a bit whiter with more contrast, and it's more than enough to read even in a totally dark room for me. I also find it's a minimal battery drain, I still go a few weeks between recharging. And I never have to fool with the light.

08-07-2014, 03:49 AM	#10
Jellby frumious Bandersnatch Posts: 7,515 Karma: 18512745 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Spaniard in Sweden Device: Cybook Orizon, Kobo Aura	I think mine has something similar, but it doesn't bother me because: (1) I almost never use the light, and (2) at least the bottom band affects only the footer, so I get no distractions in the real text. Anyway, I wouldn't expect the lighting to be completely even if the light emitters have to be hidden under the frame.

08-07-2014, 07:54 AM	#11
soulfuldog I ♥ Calibre Posts: 2,073 Karma: 5678911 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis, Voyage, Sony PRS-350, Hudl2	This was something that put me off the Aura a little when I was trying to decide between it and the Paperwhite a while back. I knew there might be some shadow from the lights, but I could see a dark band along the top in both the display models I got to see in person and I knew it'd really bug me! Having the dark band along both the top and bottom in yours seems a little more of an issue though, so I'd agree with the others about returning it. It does seem to be a flaw, but it does vary and if you return it you could be hopeful of getting a replacement model where the dark band is less noticeable. However, if it doesn't really bother you and returns are a hassle.... then that's your choice. As long as you are happy enough reading on it, that's good enough for you so why worry. Happy reading.

08-07-2014, 03:09 PM	#12
kennethv93 Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2014 Device: Kobo Aura	I contacted the store after the first 2 replies I got on this thread. They actually proposed to exchange devices at my house. They'll bring a new device monday and take mine back. Now I'll get a new one without even having to leave my house.