Flashing screen question

johngreen99 · 01-07-2008, 08:35 PM

Hello,
I'm considering buying an e-ink device. I was watching a video of someone using a Cybook and when switching pages there was a kind of black (rather disturbing) flash each time. Does this happen in real life or is just part of the way it was videoed? If it does actually happen does it ruin the experience. It looks rather painful.

Also I am going to be reading a lot of PDFs (prob A4 sized). Is the Iliad really the only way to go for a decent read (I dont want to strain my eyes to much...).

JSWolf · 01-07-2008, 08:37 PM

The flashing is part of the eink process. It happens on all eink devices.

As for PDF, unconverted PDF is best on the iLiad.

Processed PDF is best on the Sony 505 using pdflrf.

tompe · 01-07-2008, 09:22 PM

On the Cybook you can turn the flashing off to the cost of some ghosting. On the other hand you get used to the flashing very fast and will not notice it.

NatCh · 01-07-2008, 11:43 PM

If I recall correctly, I got used to the flash-to-black in about 20~30 minutes. I haven't really noticed it (except when someone asks about it) in over a year.

If you think of it in comparison to what you see when you turn a physical page, the idea is less disturbing.

All that being said, there are apparently a very small minority of people who find it simply intolerable. I think that in the ... 16 months that Sony devices have been out we've encountered one person here who actually used one for a while whom it just drove to distraction and he couldn't get used to it.

That's a very small minority though, there's no real reason to believe that you'd be number 2.

If you're particularly concerned about it, I'd suggest you try to find someone near you who has one of these devices and see it for yourself. This forum can actually be good for linking up with other folks near you. A post along the lines of "Hey, I'm in such and such a city, on the Southwest side, and I'd like to see an e-ink reading device -- anyone who's near me and would be willing to let me buy them (and their reading device) a cup of coffee, send me a PM" should do the trick. That's how I say an iLiad when they were first out in June of '06.

I ran into OliverBogler today, actually (turned out we work at the same place). For anyone who remembers him, he's doing well, but sold that iLiad on e-bay when he got a Kindle for Christmas.

cmbs · 01-07-2008, 11:45 PM

I was also worried about the flashing, but Tommy is right, you get used to it very fast. And it's not as bad as you think in the first place.

HarryT · 01-08-2008, 02:33 AM

After an hour of using my first eInk reader, I can honestly say that my brain completely filtered it out. I just don't see it at all now.

johngreen99 · 01-12-2008, 07:54 PM

I am seriously considernig the Iliad. I watched the video on youtube entitled 'iRex iLiad E-Reader: personal video review' and it didnt seem so bad this time. Thanks again

01-07-2008, 08:35 PM	#1
johngreen99 Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: none	Flashing screen question Hello, I'm considering buying an e-ink device. I was watching a video of someone using a Cybook and when switching pages there was a kind of black (rather disturbing) flash each time. Does this happen in real life or is just part of the way it was videoed? If it does actually happen does it ruin the experience. It looks rather painful. Also I am going to be reading a lot of PDFs (prob A4 sized). Is the Iliad really the only way to go for a decent read (I dont want to strain my eyes to much...).

01-12-2008, 07:54 PM	#7
johngreen99 Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: none	Thanks alot for your replies I am seriously considernig the Iliad. I watched the video on youtube entitled 'iRex iLiad E-Reader: personal video review' and it didnt seem so bad this time. Thanks again

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01-07-2008, 08:37 PM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,975 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The flashing is part of the eink process. It happens on all eink devices. As for PDF, unconverted PDF is best on the iLiad. Processed PDF is best on the Sony 505 using pdflrf.

01-07-2008, 09:22 PM	#3
tompe Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,452 Karma: 7185064 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Linköpng, Sweden Device: Kindle Voyage, Nexus 5, Kindle PW	On the Cybook you can turn the flashing off to the cost of some ghosting. On the other hand you get used to the flashing very fast and will not notice it.

01-07-2008, 11:43 PM	#4
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	If I recall correctly, I got used to the flash-to-black in about 20~30 minutes. I haven't really noticed it (except when someone asks about it) in over a year. If you think of it in comparison to what you see when you turn a physical page, the idea is less disturbing. All that being said, there are apparently a very small minority of people who find it simply intolerable. I think that in the ... 16 months that Sony devices have been out we've encountered one person here who actually used one for a while whom it just drove to distraction and he couldn't get used to it. That's a very small minority though, there's no real reason to believe that you'd be number 2. If you're particularly concerned about it, I'd suggest you try to find someone near you who has one of these devices and see it for yourself. This forum can actually be good for linking up with other folks near you. A post along the lines of "Hey, I'm in such and such a city, on the Southwest side, and I'd like to see an e-ink reading device -- anyone who's near me and would be willing to let me buy them (and their reading device) a cup of coffee, send me a PM" should do the trick. That's how I say an iLiad when they were first out in June of '06. I ran into OliverBogler today, actually (turned out we work at the same place). For anyone who remembers him, he's doing well, but sold that iLiad on e-bay when he got a Kindle for Christmas.

01-07-2008, 11:45 PM	#5
cmbs non-believer Posts: 384 Karma: 713 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: USA Device: Cybook Gen 3, JetBook Lite	I was also worried about the flashing, but Tommy is right, you get used to it very fast. And it's not as bad as you think in the first place.

01-08-2008, 02:33 AM	#6
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	After an hour of using my first eInk reader, I can honestly say that my brain completely filtered it out. I just don't see it at all now.

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