Is the Kindle screen Vizplex?

wallcraft · 01-30-2008, 11:57 AM

A teleread post has links to comments suggesting that the Kindle has a 1st generation E-Ink screen and not a 2nd generation Vizplex. Is there a way to tell for sure? I certainly assumed (based on its release date) that it is Vizplex. In any case, the point being made is that the PRS-505 has noticeably better contrast than the Kindle. Is this is the case, and if so why (hardware, e.g. better screen or more grey scales, or perhaps software, e.g. better fonts or text layout)?

TallMomof2 · 01-30-2008, 12:47 PM

I was at Border's back before the first of the year and compared my Kindle with the 505. The brightness/contrast was the identical to my eyes. I almost posted this over at JKRun where I first read this but eeehhhh.... life is too short to try and convince people who don't want to be convinced.

Everything that I've read says that the screens are the same but the Kindle uses an older screen controller than the 505.

HarryT · 01-30-2008, 12:49 PM

The Kindle definitely has a VizPlex screen. It's the identical screen to the one used by the Sony 505 and CyBook Gen3. I believe that the older "first generation" screens are no longer being manufactured - at least not in any quantity.

Alisa · 01-30-2008, 12:50 PM

According to E-Ink's website, it's Viziplex.

E-Ink

Alexander Turcic · 01-30-2008, 12:57 PM

Remember the Sony PRS-500 and the slight ghosting effect sometimes visible from the last page displayed? That's E Ink without Vizplex. The Kindle has definitely something better; so either Vizplex or something made specifically for Amazon.

Nate the great · 01-30-2008, 01:01 PM

i say this as someone who had both for a brief time, and actually compared them side by side. The Kindle changed pages at least twice as fast as the 500.

Alisa · 01-30-2008, 01:26 PM

I think it just seems to have a lower contrast because of the much-hated white case.

davidrothman · 01-30-2008, 01:43 PM

No ifs or buts--the Vizplex part of the debate is over, if nothing else. Thanks, Alisa! - David Rothman for teleread.org

JSWolf · 01-30-2008, 03:08 PM

Could it be that some of the original Kindle's were the original screen and because the original screen is not being made, they are now Vizplex?

What we need are photos of the 505 side-by-side with the Kindle to stifle this issue one way or another.

Alisa · 01-30-2008, 03:49 PM

Courtesy of Gizmodo.

They certainly look the same to me. The article is dated 11/26 so I'd think that would likely be the first batch off the line. I also doubt E-Ink would specifically state this was a Viziplex device on their site if only some of them were.

HarryT · 01-31-2008, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Could it be that some of the original Kindle's were the original screen and because the original screen is not being made, they are now Vizplex?

No, absolutely not. By the time the Kindle started production, VizPlex was all there was. Remember it can out a month and a half after the Gen3 which is unquestionably VizPlex.

Zoot · 02-01-2008, 03:09 PM

The Kindle screen was announced as Vizplex from day one. There's no question at all about this. It does use a different display controller than the PRS-505, but it's physically the same screen part I believe.

Z.

DaleDe · 02-01-2008, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoot

The Kindle screen was announced as Vizplex from day one. There's no question at all about this. It does use a different display controller than the PRS-505, but it's physically the same screen part I believe.

Z.

Certainly the manufacturer has enough to do without trying to make 2 different screens simultaneously where one is obsolete. Would you think a car maker makes 2 years of the same car on the same assembly line?

Dale

schulzmc · 02-09-2008, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaleDe

Certainly the manufacturer has enough to do without trying to make 2 different screens simultaneously where one is obsolete. Would you think a car maker makes 2 years of the same car on the same assembly line?

Dale

Actually - Yes. Right now MINI is making the latest generation of the MINI on the same assembly line with the MINI convertible - which is still based on the older version of the sedan. Different engine, suspension, brakes... almost different everything. I'm still amazed they pull this off.

DaleDe · 02-10-2008, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schulzmc

Actually - Yes. Right now MINI is making the latest generation of the MINI on the same assembly line with the MINI convertible - which is still based on the older version of the sedan. Different engine, suspension, brakes... almost different everything. I'm still amazed they pull this off.

I guess my analogy was off but the point was right. Actually automobile assembly lines can build all kinds of assortments of cards. My dad worked for GM in Kansas City where they built buicks, oldsmobiles, and pontiacs on the same line. But that was some sophisticated assembly, a little more advanced that what I would expect the e-INK line to be and at least the cars looked different. Imagine trying to keep all those displays that looked the same from getting mixed up.

Dale

01-30-2008, 11:57 AM	#1
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	Is the Kindle screen Vizplex? A teleread post has links to comments suggesting that the Kindle has a 1st generation E-Ink screen and not a 2nd generation Vizplex. Is there a way to tell for sure? I certainly assumed (based on its release date) that it is Vizplex. In any case, the point being made is that the PRS-505 has noticeably better contrast than the Kindle. Is this is the case, and if so why (hardware, e.g. better screen or more grey scales, or perhaps software, e.g. better fonts or text layout)?

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01-30-2008, 12:47 PM	#2
TallMomof2 Kindlephilia Posts: 2,017 Karma: 1139255 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Snowpacolypse 2010 Device: Too many to count	I was at Border's back before the first of the year and compared my Kindle with the 505. The brightness/contrast was the identical to my eyes. I almost posted this over at JKRun where I first read this but eeehhhh.... life is too short to try and convince people who don't want to be convinced. Everything that I've read says that the screens are the same but the Kindle uses an older screen controller than the 505.

01-30-2008, 12:49 PM	#3
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	The Kindle definitely has a VizPlex screen. It's the identical screen to the one used by the Sony 505 and CyBook Gen3. I believe that the older "first generation" screens are no longer being manufactured - at least not in any quantity.

01-30-2008, 12:50 PM	#4
Alisa Gadget Geek Posts: 2,324 Karma: 22221 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Paperwhite, Kindle 3 (retired), Skindle 1.2 (retired)	According to E-Ink's website, it's Viziplex. E-Ink

01-30-2008, 12:57 PM	#5
Alexander Turcic Fully Converged Posts: 18,163 Karma: 14021202 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Switzerland Device: Too many to count here.	Remember the Sony PRS-500 and the slight ghosting effect sometimes visible from the last page displayed? That's E Ink without Vizplex. The Kindle has definitely something better; so either Vizplex or something made specifically for Amazon.

01-30-2008, 01:01 PM	#6
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	i say this as someone who had both for a brief time, and actually compared them side by side. The Kindle changed pages at least twice as fast as the 500.

01-30-2008, 01:26 PM	#7
Alisa Gadget Geek Posts: 2,324 Karma: 22221 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Paperwhite, Kindle 3 (retired), Skindle 1.2 (retired)	I think it just seems to have a lower contrast because of the much-hated white case.

01-30-2008, 01:43 PM	#8
davidrothman Connoisseur Posts: 60 Karma: 32 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Alexandria, VA Device: Paperwhite, $50 Fire, iPad Air 2, Nexus 6, Kobo Aura H2O	No ifs or buts--the Vizplex part of the debate is over, if nothing else. Thanks, Alisa! - David Rothman for teleread.org

01-30-2008, 03:08 PM	#9
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,887 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Could it be that some of the original Kindle's were the original screen and because the original screen is not being made, they are now Vizplex? What we need are photos of the 505 side-by-side with the Kindle to stifle this issue one way or another.

01-30-2008, 03:49 PM	#10
Alisa Gadget Geek Posts: 2,324 Karma: 22221 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Paperwhite, Kindle 3 (retired), Skindle 1.2 (retired)	Courtesy of Gizmodo. They certainly look the same to me. The article is dated 11/26 so I'd think that would likely be the first batch off the line. I also doubt E-Ink would specifically state this was a Viziplex device on their site if only some of them were.

02-01-2008, 03:09 PM	#12
Zoot Connoisseur Posts: 89 Karma: 34 Join Date: Nov 2006 Device: Amazon Kindle	The Kindle screen was announced as Vizplex from day one. There's no question at all about this. It does use a different display controller than the PRS-505, but it's physically the same screen part I believe. Z.

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