Permanently screen fading over time problem in e-ink readers

amgoforth · 03-06-2015, 04:04 AM

My Kindle DX screed faded out so much that I can no longer use it, Sony PR500, and PR700, Iliad DR, original Iliad, all others too faded out and ruined here in the Philippines. I guess they are all first generation bought before 2009 when I left the USA. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER ONE UNLESS I AM CONFIDENT THE PROBLEM IS FIXED.
I STILL USE THE ORIGINAL JETBOOK, and older readers. Now I use Android phone and Tablets.
Anyone else had this problem? https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...?t=97952:help:

HarryT · 03-06-2015, 04:28 AM

Early eInk screens were prone to fading - I remember than my original Sony PRS-500 screen faded badly in the time that I had it. I've seen no reports of it with modern eInk screens. and certainly none of the devices I've bought in the last couple of years has shown the least sign of screen fading. I think you can safely buy a modern eInk device and be sure that the screen won't fade.

The "2nd generation" Kindle DX (the "Graphite") uses an eInk Pearl screen. I've seen no reports of fading issues with Pearl screens, so if you wanted a replacement DX that should be a safe choice, although there are certainly other more modern large-screen devices available, such as the Onyx M96.

amgoforth · 03-06-2015, 05:32 AM

Thanks for the info. I will see if any of those can be purchased here. I really like e ink.

HarryT · 03-06-2015, 05:34 AM

If you look in the "Which one should I buy?" forum you'll find numerous threads discussing the merits of various large-screen eInk devices.

Dr. Drib · 03-06-2015, 07:11 AM

1) I don't think the Jetbook used an eInk screen (but I could be wrong).

2) My Kindle DX-G screen will occasionally fade, but this is a problem with something that is failing in the unit, something that's going bad.

3) The early Sony's screen faded when used in sunlight, if my memory is correct. (I never had this problem, however.)

4) I've never had any other problems with any of my eInk ebook readers.

5) I think that basically the screens on the Onyx 96 and Kindle DX-G are the same, although there's another layer that allows the use of a stylus on the Onyx 96. (Someone please correct me if I am wrong.)

HarryT · 03-06-2015, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

3) The early Sony's screen faded when used in sunlight, if my memory is correct. (I never had this problem, however.)

There were two separate issues:

1. There was an early batch of eInk screens manufactured by LG, if I recall correctly, which had a manufacturing defect. These screens ended up (entirely at random) in devices from all the different device manufacturers, and the symptom was that the screen would fade almost to invisibility when exposed to direct sunlight (and recover again when out of the sunlight).

2. The first generation eInk screens would all slowly darken with time. After I'd had my PRS-500 for a year, the contrast on the screen was much poorer than it was when I first got it. This is the problem that the OP is describing. The newer "Pearl" and "Carta" eInk screens don't appear to have this issue.

kacir · 03-06-2015, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

1) I don't think the Jetbook used an eInk screen (but I could be wrong).

That was the point.
All e-ink devices the poster has have faded and the Jetbook keeps going.

amgoforth · 03-06-2015, 04:36 PM

Yes, Jetbook is not eink. I would like to have a Kindle DX sized screen Jetbook that runs Android.
I have gotten so used to color screens on tablets etc that I do not think I would be happy with a screen that is not color.

cfrizz · 03-07-2015, 11:05 AM

My Sony PRS-T1 is still going strong with no fading in sight.

HarryT · 03-07-2015, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfrizz

My Sony PRS-T1 is still going strong with no fading in sight.

That's because the T1 has a Pearl screen and, as stated previously, the Pearl screen doesn't have an issue with fading.

rkomar · 03-07-2015, 01:02 PM

I wonder if the local conditions play a part? I assume that the air in the Phillipines would be hotter and more humid than in the Northern climes where most of the MR posters are. It would be interesting to know how the screen is breaking down (losing the colour? losing the charge polarization? losing transparency?...).

j.p.s · 03-07-2015, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

5) I think that basically the screens on the Onyx 96 and Kindle DX-G are the same, although there's another layer that allows the use of a stylus on the Onyx 96. (Someone please correct me if I am wrong.)

I think that the Wacom digitizer layer is below the visible surface, not above it.

HarryT · 03-07-2015, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j.p.s

I think that the Wacom digitizer layer is below the visible surface, not above it.

Yes, it is indeed.

jhunie · 03-11-2015, 07:13 AM

I’ve had my kindle touch since 2012. Here in the Philippines my device is considerably worn from heavy use but it has not suffered falls or any undue physical damage. I keep it in a belkin case. Presently the screen is starting to fade. I don’t know how to diagnose the problem, if it is what others call “sun-fade” or severe case of ghosting. But I have stopped using it because the screen is unreadable. I did the ff to fix or mitigate the screen to no avail, save the last expedient:

1) Jailbreak: I thought there was an option to max out screen refresh to sweep away those unsightly artifacts –it seems my kindle’s capacity to fully refresh has weakened (see 3rd attachment in full page refresh below)

2) Downgrade to ancient fw via the Kubrick bootable CD: this confirmed that the screen itself was the problem regardless of fw as it did nothing

3) Changed to a custom blank screensaver to wash out afterimage/ghosting: helped a bit but text remains faded

4) Opted for ‘list view’ because the book covers, graphics and such like worsen ghosting

5) Turning pages with full page refresh on does mitigate ghosting but for a page to be readable I have to refresh the screen a dozen times and if you’re reading War and Peace this is impossible…but still, when I have to use the dictionary, the box that pops up is unreadable and the text just pile up on top of each other (see 4th attachment)

6) Landscape mode did nothing either

7) I put it in the ref (this is silly and bad for the battery I know) but voila! The screen was as sharp and clear-cut as if I just took it out of the box. (see 2nd attachment) In the bedroom with A/C on I have noticed that the screen looks better. I am aware of the kindle’s operating temperature. I have also noticed after I took it out of the ref the screen refresh is much blacker. (see 1st photo; cf. the 3rd attachment) I would advise against doing this if you love your kindle.

I really love my kindle though. Here it has survived earthquakes and typhoons (I have hiked with it to the uplands, slept with it in the middle of roads because of aftershocks, quite fondly I think about it now). But I held off buying a new kindle pw because of what I discovered: climate does degrade the kindle screen. (To be fair, I think all electronics do over time.) I don’t know if that holds water, but for now I will keep to my paperbacks. I wish someone could cast more light on this problem.

amgoforth · 03-19-2015, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkomar

I wonder if the local conditions play a part? I assume that the air in the Phillipines would be hotter and more humid than in the Northern climes where most of the MR posters are. It would be interesting to know how the screen is breaking down (losing the colour? losing the charge polarization? losing transparency?...).

Yes, I think the climate plays a major role in all electronic devices.
The screen just starts to fade, and then the device will stop booting. I think humidity is part of the problem here. My Jetbook screen is mess up now, part of screen is just black, so it is useless now. Only EBT 2 smaller screen is still working same as always. The The ETI 1, big screen, has lines all acroos the screen, but is still usable
I have had to switch to android devices..

03-06-2015, 04:04 AM	#1
amgoforth Groupie Posts: 196 Karma: 3142469 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Odessa, Texas Device: 2 Kindles, 2 Nooks, 2 Kobos, Ipad.	Permanently screen fading over time problem in e-ink readers My Kindle DX screed faded out so much that I can no longer use it, Sony PR500, and PR700, Iliad DR, original Iliad, all others too faded out and ruined here in the Philippines. I guess they are all first generation bought before 2009 when I left the USA. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER ONE UNLESS I AM CONFIDENT THE PROBLEM IS FIXED. I STILL USE THE ORIGINAL JETBOOK, and older readers. Now I use Android phone and Tablets. Anyone else had this problem? https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...?t=97952:help:

03-06-2015, 04:28 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Early eInk screens were prone to fading - I remember than my original Sony PRS-500 screen faded badly in the time that I had it. I've seen no reports of it with modern eInk screens. and certainly none of the devices I've bought in the last couple of years has shown the least sign of screen fading. I think you can safely buy a modern eInk device and be sure that the screen won't fade. The "2nd generation" Kindle DX (the "Graphite") uses an eInk Pearl screen. I've seen no reports of fading issues with Pearl screens, so if you wanted a replacement DX that should be a safe choice, although there are certainly other more modern large-screen devices available, such as the Onyx M96. Last edited by HarryT; 03-06-2015 at 04:45 AM.

03-11-2015, 07:13 AM	#14
jhunie Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 24490 Join Date: Mar 2015 Device: kindle touch, ipad 2, iphone 5s	I’ve had my kindle touch since 2012. Here in the Philippines my device is considerably worn from heavy use but it has not suffered falls or any undue physical damage. I keep it in a belkin case. Presently the screen is starting to fade. I don’t know how to diagnose the problem, if it is what others call “sun-fade” or severe case of ghosting. But I have stopped using it because the screen is unreadable. I did the ff to fix or mitigate the screen to no avail, save the last expedient: 1) Jailbreak: I thought there was an option to max out screen refresh to sweep away those unsightly artifacts –it seems my kindle’s capacity to fully refresh has weakened (see 3rd attachment in full page refresh below) 2) Downgrade to ancient fw via the Kubrick bootable CD: this confirmed that the screen itself was the problem regardless of fw as it did nothing 3) Changed to a custom blank screensaver to wash out afterimage/ghosting: helped a bit but text remains faded 4) Opted for ‘list view’ because the book covers, graphics and such like worsen ghosting 5) Turning pages with full page refresh on does mitigate ghosting but for a page to be readable I have to refresh the screen a dozen times and if you’re reading War and Peace this is impossible…but still, when I have to use the dictionary, the box that pops up is unreadable and the text just pile up on top of each other (see 4th attachment) 6) Landscape mode did nothing either 7) I put it in the ref (this is silly and bad for the battery I know) but voila! The screen was as sharp and clear-cut as if I just took it out of the box. (see 2nd attachment) In the bedroom with A/C on I have noticed that the screen looks better. I am aware of the kindle’s operating temperature. I have also noticed after I took it out of the ref the screen refresh is much blacker. (see 1st photo; cf. the 3rd attachment) I would advise against doing this if you love your kindle. I really love my kindle though. Here it has survived earthquakes and typhoons (I have hiked with it to the uplands, slept with it in the middle of roads because of aftershocks, quite fondly I think about it now). But I held off buying a new kindle pw because of what I discovered: climate does degrade the kindle screen. (To be fair, I think all electronics do over time.) I don’t know if that holds water, but for now I will keep to my paperbacks. I wish someone could cast more light on this problem. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by jhunie; 03-11-2015 at 07:16 AM.

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03-06-2015, 05:32 AM	#3
amgoforth Groupie Posts: 196 Karma: 3142469 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Odessa, Texas Device: 2 Kindles, 2 Nooks, 2 Kobos, Ipad.	Thanks for the info. I will see if any of those can be purchased here. I really like e ink.

03-06-2015, 05:34 AM	#4
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	If you look in the "Which one should I buy?" forum you'll find numerous threads discussing the merits of various large-screen eInk devices.

03-06-2015, 07:11 AM	#5
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 45,437 Karma: 59592133 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: KINDLE: Oasis 3, Scribe (1st), Matcha; KOBO: Libra 2, Libra Colour	1) I don't think the Jetbook used an eInk screen (but I could be wrong). 2) My Kindle DX-G screen will occasionally fade, but this is a problem with something that is failing in the unit, something that's going bad. 3) The early Sony's screen *faded when used in sunlight*, if my memory is correct. (I never had this problem, however.) 4) I've never had any other problems with any of my eInk ebook readers. 5) I think that basically the screens on the Onyx 96 and Kindle DX-G are the same, although there's another layer that allows the use of a stylus on the Onyx 96. (Someone please correct me if I am wrong.)

03-06-2015, 04:36 PM	#8
amgoforth Groupie Posts: 196 Karma: 3142469 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Odessa, Texas Device: 2 Kindles, 2 Nooks, 2 Kobos, Ipad.	Yes, Jetbook is not eink. I would like to have a Kindle DX sized screen Jetbook that runs Android. I have gotten so used to color screens on tablets etc that I do not think I would be happy with a screen that is not color.

03-07-2015, 11:05 AM	#9
cfrizz Wizard Posts: 1,569 Karma: 36389706 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Quincy, MA Device: Samsung 54A, Kobo Libra H2O, Samsung S6 Lite	My Sony PRS-T1 is still going strong with no fading in sight.

03-07-2015, 01:02 PM	#11
rkomar Wizard Posts: 3,054 Karma: 18821071 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Sudbury, ON, Canada Device: PRS-505, PB 902, PRS-T1, PB 623, PB 840, PB 633	I wonder if the local conditions play a part? I assume that the air in the Phillipines would be hotter and more humid than in the Northern climes where most of the MR posters are. It would be interesting to know how the screen is breaking down (losing the colour? losing the charge polarization? losing transparency?...).

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