Looking for a ebook reader with the sharpest contrast

angelyne · 07-24-2009, 01:49 PM

I have a 1st generation Sony ebook reader and I find that the background is a little too gray, making the contrast between the text and "page" not as good as it could be. I know that the later models have improved this somewhat.

What I am looking for is the device that is the most readable. At 47, I'm finding it more difficult and more tiring to read than I used to.

As for the other features, I don't need anything very complicated, so long as it's very readable. I also want to be able to import my own books to it from a html format, either natively or through an community-made tool. That's a key-feature.

It obviously must support a few fonts, and have the ability to enlarge the text size

Apart from that, I'd like a integrated light, but won't reject an otherwise suitable model because of it's lack.

I'm only interested in reading plain-text novels, so it doesn't have to support anything else.

Any idea where to get started looking?

richman · 07-24-2009, 04:34 PM

I guess you looked at the 505 already, since you have the 500? I hear it's suppose to be better than 500 in contrast dept. Some of the folks here have up to 8 types of these ereaders, so they can offer their perspective comparing all of them.
I'm the same way with getting older and needing bigger print sizes and bolder fonts, I did the font hack to make the default fonts bolder.
I'm not sure if the sony deal of 505 for 150 is still going on or not, I picked one up a month ago.

mgmueller · 07-24-2009, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angelyne

I have a 1st generation Sony ebook reader and I find that the background is a little too gray, making the contrast between the text and "page" not as good as it could be. I know that the later models have improved this somewhat.

What I am looking for is the device that is the most readable. At 47, I'm finding it more difficult and more tiring to read than I used to.

As for the other features, I don't need anything very complicated, so long as it's very readable. I also want to be able to import my own books to it from a html format, either natively or through an community-made tool. That's a key-feature.

It obviously must support a few fonts, and have the ability to enlarge the text size

Apart from that, I'd like a integrated light, but won't reject an otherwise suitable model because of it's lack.

I'm only interested in reading plain-text novels, so it doesn't have to support anything else.

Any idea where to get started looking?

Of my readers, Sony 700 is the only one with integrated light. Honestly, I'm not a fan of it because its dispersion.
I don't have a Sony 500, so I can't compare directly. But quite a few people in this forum have stated, contrast of Sony 700 would be WORSE than Sony 500.
In direct comparison, I clearly prefer Sony 505 over Sony 700.

Given your description, display size may be worth considering.
iRex iLiad is one of my favorites, Kindle DX is of similar size and iRex 1000S by far is biggest.

I have no idea, how to "measure" contrast or display quality, so I just give my personal ranking:
#1: Sony 505, Kindle 2 + Kindle DX, iRex 1000S
#2: iRex iLiad, Cybook
#4: BeBook
#5: Sony 700
Book format and fonts isn't a problem at all for all of them.
As you've already got Sony 500, my suggestion would be Sony 505. No integrated light, but this easily can be added. Not too expensive, very elegant and "cool". You don't have to purchase Sony's proprietary .lrx format, you can go for .epub which already is kind of a "standard".
Most of the other units have announced, supporting .epub in the near future. But Sony can do it already extremely well. For .html, iRex would have huge advantages, but as you already state: Tools.

HarryT · 07-25-2009, 03:57 AM

The Sony PRS-505, Kindle 1 & 2, CyBook, BeBook, etc, etc, all use the same screen, and have identical contrast.

jgray · 07-25-2009, 04:49 AM

The contrast issue is why I bought a jetBook after trying a Sony 505.

wallcraft · 07-25-2009, 09:53 AM

All the EInk devices sold today are using the same screen technology. For reading plain text, the font also effects the apparent screen contrast but most devices give you some control over fonts. Probably any of the popular EInk devices would suit your needs, and you could start with the E-book Reader Matrix.

Note that Sony appears to be preparing to introduce new models, and practically everyone else (except Amazon) is in the middle of switching from MOBI to Adobe Digital Editions (PDF and ePub) for DRMed ebooks.

Calibre can format shift your ebooks to the optimal format for your device. One advantage of ePub is that you can include your best font in the ebook. Calibre does not yet support adding enbedded fonts to ePubs though.

mgmueller · 07-25-2009, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

The Sony PRS-505, Kindle 1 & 2, CyBook, BeBook, etc, etc, all use the same screen, and have identical contrast.

...but still the display quality and readability differs significantly because of touchscreen, reflection because of the color of the unit's housing, weigth of the unit which influences the viewing angle, size of the display...

HarryT · 07-25-2009, 01:08 PM

None of the devices I listed have a touch-screen. I deliberately did not mention the Sony PRS-700, whose touch-screen negatively impacts the quality of the display. The display on all the models I listed really is absolutely identical, and I don't personally think that the housing it's in affects that.

jwalleser · 07-25-2009, 06:10 PM

Jetbook

mgmueller · 07-25-2009, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

None of the devices I listed have a touch-screen. I deliberately did not mention the Sony PRS-700, whose touch-screen negatively impacts the quality of the display. The display on all the models I listed really is absolutely identical, and I don't personally think that the housing it's in affects that.

Color of the housing won't influence the contrast of course. But reflection, comparing Sony's dark blue and Amazon's white housing, will be different. Depending on the light surroundings, this should have some impact on readability.

emellaich · 07-25-2009, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

None of the devices I listed have a touch-screen. I deliberately did not mention the Sony PRS-700, whose touch-screen negatively impacts the quality of the display. The display on all the models I listed really is absolutely identical, and I don't personally think that the housing it's in affects that.

I'm not convinced that the housing will truly affect the readability. However, I suspect we have all seen optical illusions where two identical colors will appear different based on what they are surrounded by. Refer to this picture from the wikipedia article on Optical Illusions:

According to wikipedia: "Square A is exactly the same shade of grey as square B."

This means that the perceived background color and even perceived contrast could be affected by the housing. The guy who worked up the Kindle font hack also had an article about the value of using a black skin to change the perceived contrast on the Kindle 2.

https://sites.google.com/a/etccreati...than-skin-deep

richman · 07-25-2009, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalleser

Jetbook

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ACO-_-58723001

I'm not sure jetbook is the best way to go, but it is a way. That's why we need people that have a number of them, including jetbook to compare them.

The 505 blue model does give the impression that contrast is better, but it could be the optical illusion that others are talking about.

Kris777 · 07-26-2009, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richman

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ACO-_-58723001

I'm not sure jetbook is the best way to go, but it is a way. That's why we need people that have a number of them, including jetbook to compare them.

The 505 blue model does give the impression that contrast is better, but it could be the optical illusion that others are talking about.

people compared it before, see jetBook vs Kindle screen:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...9&postcount=98

Kris777 · 07-26-2009, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalleser

Jetbook

100% agree

angelyne · 07-27-2009, 01:13 PM

Thanks for the advice. Is there a big enough difference between between the first generation 500 and 505 to justify upgrading? At least that one I can pick up in Canada, as *I think* they are finally carried by Sony Canada.

Not sure if there is a way to actually take a physical look at any of the others.

07-25-2009, 06:10 PM	#9
jwalleser Member Posts: 14 Karma: 42 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: none	which to buy? Jetbook

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07-24-2009, 01:49 PM	#1
angelyne Connoisseur Posts: 57 Karma: 50 Join Date: Jun 2007 Device: Sony Reader PRS-500	Looking for a ebook reader with the sharpest contrast I have a 1st generation Sony ebook reader and I find that the background is a little too gray, making the contrast between the text and "page" not as good as it could be. I know that the later models have improved this somewhat. What I am looking for is the device that is the most readable. At 47, I'm finding it more difficult and more tiring to read than I used to. As for the other features, I don't need anything very complicated, so long as it's very readable. I also want to be able to import my own books to it from a html format, either natively or through an community-made tool. That's a key-feature. It obviously must support a few fonts, and have the ability to enlarge the text size Apart from that, I'd like a integrated light, but won't reject an otherwise suitable model because of it's lack. I'm only interested in reading plain-text novels, so it doesn't have to support anything else. Any idea where to get started looking?

07-24-2009, 04:34 PM	#2
richman Addict Posts: 269 Karma: 58 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: sony prs-505 BLUE,itouch,netbook	I guess you looked at the 505 already, since you have the 500? I hear it's suppose to be better than 500 in contrast dept. Some of the folks here have up to 8 types of these ereaders, so they can offer their perspective comparing all of them. I'm the same way with getting older and needing bigger print sizes and bolder fonts, I did the font hack to make the default fonts bolder. I'm not sure if the sony deal of 505 for 150 is still going on or not, I picked one up a month ago. Last edited by richman; 07-24-2009 at 04:37 PM.

07-25-2009, 03:57 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	The Sony PRS-505, Kindle 1 & 2, CyBook, BeBook, etc, etc, all use the same screen, and have identical contrast.

07-25-2009, 04:49 AM	#5
jgray Fanatic Posts: 554 Karma: 2928497 Join Date: Mar 2008 Device: Clara 2E & Sage	The contrast issue is why I bought a jetBook after trying a Sony 505.

07-25-2009, 09:53 AM	#6
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,977 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	All the EInk devices sold today are using the same screen technology. For reading plain text, the font also effects the apparent screen contrast but most devices give you some control over fonts. Probably any of the popular EInk devices would suit your needs, and you could start with the E-book Reader Matrix. Note that Sony appears to be preparing to introduce new models, and practically everyone else (except Amazon) is in the middle of switching from MOBI to Adobe Digital Editions (PDF and ePub) for DRMed ebooks. Calibre can format shift your ebooks to the optimal format for your device. One advantage of ePub is that you can include your best font in the ebook. Calibre does not yet support adding enbedded fonts to ePubs though.

07-25-2009, 01:08 PM	#8
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	None of the devices I listed have a touch-screen. I deliberately did not mention the Sony PRS-700, whose touch-screen negatively impacts the quality of the display. The display on all the models I listed really is absolutely identical, and I don't personally think that the housing it's in affects that.

07-27-2009, 01:13 PM	#15
angelyne Connoisseur Posts: 57 Karma: 50 Join Date: Jun 2007 Device: Sony Reader PRS-500	Thanks for the advice. Is there a big enough difference between between the first generation 500 and 505 to justify upgrading? At least that one I can pick up in Canada, as I think they are finally carried by Sony Canada. Not sure if there is a way to actually take a physical look at any of the others.

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