Shifting Opinion About Libra Colour Screen

[rashkae]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

It's too easy to see what's wrong with some of the reviews. What;s the point of comparing two different Readers screens when you don't have what's on them be the same or as close as you can get?

I think the reviews have been doing a good job summarizing what the actual typical user experience is going to be. My only.... criticism with the LC reviews is that many are pointing out the poorer quality of B&W text and attributing that to the colour layer. I think they are mistaken. We will see what observations people have when they start comparing Clara Colour and Clara BW side by side.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by rashkae

My only.... criticism with the LC reviews is that many are pointing out the poorer quality of B&W text and attributing that to the colour layer. I think they are mistaken.

Why?
A 300 dpi mono only screen is going to inherently have better B&W text than a similar screen with a translucent coloured dot on each pixel. Basic physics and mathematics. Certainly Kaleido is a better idea than Triton, but you can't still have the same mono quality. The coloured dots are a passive printed layer between the light pipe for the front light and the active screen. They reduce sharpness, brightness and contrast compared to not having them.

[rashkae]

Originally Posted by Quoth

Why?
A 300 dpi mono only screen is going to inherently have better B&W text than a similar screen with a translucent coloured dot on each pixel. Basic physics and mathematics. Certainly Kaleido is a better idea than Triton, but you can't still have the same mono quality. The coloured dots are a passive printed layer between the light pipe for the front light and the active screen. They reduce sharpness, brightness and contrast compared to not having them.

As I already said earlier,, because I actually *tried* it.. put the same font, with same weight and same size, and compare the two side by side,, they look the same, as far as sharpness and perceived contrast. (should be obvious, but in most lighting situation, the LC needs brighter light setting, and there is visible, speckling on the background, that looks like very very fine dust with an occasional colorful iridescent sparkle if the light hits it just right.)

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by rashkae

As I already said earlier,, because I actually *tried* it.. put the same font, with same weight and same size, and compare the two side by side,, they look the same, as far as sharpness and perceived contrast. (should be obvious, but in most lighting situation, the LC needs brighter light setting, and there is visible, speckling on the background, that looks like very very fine dust with an occasional colorful iridescent sparkle if the light hits it just right.)

They can't unless your eyesight isn't good enough.
It's totally impossible to have the same quality of mono text.

I use all my eink just with ambient light, but a frontlight setting will make no difference to contrast, only brightness.

[rashkae]

Originally Posted by Quoth

They can't unless your eyesight isn't good enough.
It's totally impossible to have the same quality of mono text.

I use all my eink just with ambient light, but a frontlight setting will make no difference to contrast, only brightness.

Ok dude. Regardless of anything else I say, if you prefer to use only ambient light, you really wont' like this device anyhow.

[Stingo]

First of all, I love the Libra Colour. Realy feels great to be back to the Kobo operating system with it greater freedom of use. What I have found is that it is best not to compare. Instead, it is best to find the light level that feels comfortable to your eye. For me I notice that that gradually lowers the light over repeated uses. The lettering and light on my device look incredible except in light levels 24-27 when there is some light unevenness. Level 24 and below or 28 and above are flawless. The colors are great and really make a psychological difference to enjoying the device. The note taking on even sideloaded documents is phenomenal.

[7hir7een]

I have noticed in bright light that there is also a square overlay on the screen. Is this normal? I haven't seen anybody mention it.

[rashkae]

Originally Posted by 7hir7een

I have noticed in bright light that there is also a square overlay on the screen. Is this normal? I haven't seen anybody mention it.

(I tried to attach a file but my iPhone won't play nice so here is an Imgur link until I get back home
https://imgur.com/a/isHl7DR)

Yes, I can see the overlay at certain angles.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by 7hir7een

I have noticed in bright light that there is also a square overlay on the screen. Is this normal? I haven't seen anybody mention it.

(I tried to attach a file but my iPhone won't play nice so here is an Imgur link until I get back home
https://imgur.com/a/isHl7DR)

Do you see this with all covers or just covers that have to be enlarged to fit the screen?

Do you see these squares if you use the new covers?

https://kevinhearne.com/book-categories/iron-druid

[rashkae]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Do you see this with all covers or just covers that have to be enlarged to fit the screen?

Do you see these squares if you use the new covers?

https://kevinhearne.com/book-categories/iron-druid

It has nothing to do with the cover, it's intrinsic to the device, and needs a dark image to see clearly. A black square would work best

[Anghirrim]

Pfff so bad, I went into several shops today, they sell the Kobo color, but they don't exhibit any for test.

One store said that it's Kobo sales reps who decide what to put on the shelves.

What the heck.... How one can buy a device without even putting its hand on it to play a bit.

[7hir7een]

Originally Posted by Anghirrim

Pfff so bad, I went into several shops today, they sell the Kobo color, but they don't exhibit any for test.

One store said that it's Kobo sales reps who decide what to put on the shelves.

What the heck.... How one can buy a device without even putting its hand on it to play a bit.

We order it and cross our fingers

(I live in the rural US so I knew nowhere near me would have a device to test)

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by 7hir7een

We order it and cross our fingers

(I live in the rural US so I knew nowhere near me would have a device to test)

I've bought all my dozen or so ereaders sight unseen. Never returned any of them.

[Skydog]

Originally Posted by Anghirrim

Pfff so bad, I went into several shops today, they sell the Kobo color, but they don't exhibit any for test.

One store said that it's Kobo sales reps who decide what to put on the shelves.

What the heck.... How one can buy a device without even putting its hand on it to play a bit.

I've purchased many ereaders in the past 15 years without seeing one of them beforehand. None returned.

[Frogm4n]

Originally Posted by 7hir7een

I have noticed in bright light that there is also a square overlay on the screen. Is this normal? I haven't seen anybody mention it.

(I tried to attach a file but my iPhone won't play nice so here is an Imgur link until I get back home
https://imgur.com/a/isHl7DR)

I've seen similar on regular tablets. It was light catching the usually clear traces of the capacitive touch layer. I don't know if it's certain angles and certain polarization, etc. but it looked much like your photo. I couldn't see it straight on, only at an off angle.