External EPaper Monitor for EBook Reading?

luqmaninbmore · 10-21-2009, 04:12 PM

Greetings,

Does anyone know of any company that offers an external (preferably, USB) monitor that utilizes some form of electronic paper technology, whether it be EInk or a display similar to the Jetbook? Failing that, does anyone know of any non-backlit usb monitors using standard technology? I was thinking something along the lines of the old Palm screens, which allowed one to turn the back light off, but bigger and USB compatible. While not as portable as a standalone reader, I could definitely find a use for it in conjunction with my netbook. I would be able to use desktop-based EBook software which offers much more in the way of features than the portable readers do. And, given a long enough usb cord, I could even curl up on the couch with it. At the very least, it could be useful in reducing eye-fatigue from a back light, possibly increasing work place productivity. Any ideas, or is this just too niche of a product to be viable?

Luqman

Hellmark · 10-21-2009, 04:59 PM

I know of really few USB monitors. I wouldn't mind having one like you describe, just, small market.

fugazied · 10-21-2009, 05:56 PM

I had a good search on the internet for them, and I couldn't find a single eink external display device. It seems bizarre, I thought they would exist, so perhaps it's a very small niche product that only a few companies make.

I guess when people use an external device the new 24" LCDs are so very cheap and 'decent' to read from now that eink monitors would only take a tiny % of sales.

Dylrob · 10-21-2009, 06:16 PM

USB monitors are a small niche as is. I doubt anyone would mass produce what you describe.

I'm reluctant to suggest it, since you already have the former, but something to possibly consider is a netbook or tabletPC equipped with a 3Qi screen. None exist yet, though hopefully (*cross fingers and toes*) they should start to appear within the next few months.

igorsk · 10-21-2009, 08:30 PM

There is Ricavision thing, but doesn't look like it will be ever released.

pking36330 · 10-21-2009, 09:05 PM

These don't fit your 'non-backlit' requirement, but I know of a couple USB monitors:

Mimo 710

All four Mimo models

These aren't useful for everything, like video, since the bandwidth of USB 2.0 (480Mbps) is only sufficient for transferring non-compressed video with a resolution of 640x480 and a frame rate of 60Hz. Compressed video (Flash, H.264, etc.) may not have a problem though.

TinyApps.Org · 05-06-2012, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Does anyone know of any company that offers an external (preferably, USB) monitor that utilizes some form of electronic paper technology, whether it be EInk or a display similar to the Jetbook?

Thanks to NiLuJe's & hawhill, you can use a Kindle DX as an E Ink computer monitor: http://tinyapps.org/docs/e-ink-monitor.html

Pinecone · 05-15-2012, 03:19 AM

I don't know about non-backlit monitorss, but many newer monitors support MHL, which is a USB video output standard for handehld devices.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_...efinition_Link

My new Samsung monitor at home supports this.

10-21-2009, 04:12 PM	#1
luqmaninbmore Da'i Posts: 1,144 Karma: 1217499 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Baltimore Device: Toshiba Thrive, Kobo Touch, Kindle 1, Aluratek Libre, T-Mobile Comet	External EPaper Monitor for EBook Reading? Greetings, Does anyone know of any company that offers an external (preferably, USB) monitor that utilizes some form of electronic paper technology, whether it be EInk or a display similar to the Jetbook? Failing that, does anyone know of any non-backlit usb monitors using standard technology? I was thinking something along the lines of the old Palm screens, which allowed one to turn the back light off, but bigger and USB compatible. While not as portable as a standalone reader, I could definitely find a use for it in conjunction with my netbook. I would be able to use desktop-based EBook software which offers much more in the way of features than the portable readers do. And, given a long enough usb cord, I could even curl up on the couch with it. At the very least, it could be useful in reducing eye-fatigue from a back light, possibly increasing work place productivity. Any ideas, or is this just too niche of a product to be viable? Luqman

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10-21-2009, 04:59 PM	#2
Hellmark Wizard Posts: 2,586 Karma: 4290425 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Foristell, Missouri, USA Device: Nokia N800, PRS-505, Nook STR Glowlight, Kindle 3, Kobo Libra 2	I know of really few USB monitors. I wouldn't mind having one like you describe, just, small market.

10-21-2009, 05:56 PM	#3
fugazied Wizard Posts: 1,305 Karma: 1958 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: iPod Touch	I had a good search on the internet for them, and I couldn't find a single eink external display device. It seems bizarre, I thought they would exist, so perhaps it's a very small niche product that only a few companies make. I guess when people use an external device the new 24" LCDs are so very cheap and 'decent' to read from now that eink monitors would only take a tiny % of sales.

10-21-2009, 06:16 PM	#4
Dylrob Murderous Mustela Posts: 10,234 Karma: 48000000 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: The other land of schnitzel and beer Device: iPad M1 Pro, Kindle Paperwhite	USB monitors are a small niche as is. I doubt anyone would mass produce what you describe. I'm reluctant to suggest it, since you already have the former, but something to possibly consider is a netbook or tabletPC equipped with a 3Qi screen. None exist yet, though hopefully (cross fingers and toes) they should start to appear within the next few months.

10-21-2009, 08:30 PM	#5
igorsk Wizard Posts: 3,442 Karma: 300001 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium Device: PRS-500/505/700, Kindle, Cybook Gen3, Words Gear	There is Ricavision thing, but doesn't look like it will be ever released.

10-21-2009, 09:05 PM	#6
pking36330 FT Parent PT Reader Posts: 322 Karma: 187838 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: South Alabama Device: Shocked by how much I've read on an iPod Touch received as a gift!	These don't fit your 'non-backlit' requirement, but I know of a couple USB monitors: Mimo 710 All four Mimo models These aren't useful for everything, like video, since the bandwidth of USB 2.0 (480Mbps) is only sufficient for transferring non-compressed video with a resolution of 640x480 and a frame rate of 60Hz. Compressed video (Flash, H.264, etc.) may not have a problem though.

05-15-2012, 03:19 AM	#8
Pinecone Guru Posts: 902 Karma: 1660722 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Maryland Device: PRS-650, PRS-600, PRS-350	I don't know about non-backlit monitorss, but many newer monitors support MHL, which is a USB video output standard for handehld devices. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_...efinition_Link My new Samsung monitor at home supports this.

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