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Did you read the article? It has images comparing the screen to the original Game Boy's under different lighting conditions halfway down the page. Edit: as for

by ihuman 4y ago

Did you read the article? It has images comparing the screen to the original Game Boy's under different lighting conditions halfway down the page. Edit: as for why there isn't a front light (like the first GBA SP): > So unlike an LCD, which has transparency to let a backlight shine through, ours is extremely reflective on the back and lets NO light shine through, so backlight isn’t possible! We tested a front light solution and it was… not great. But we’ll keep researching for future models! https://www.twitter.com/playdate/status/1131736869153017856 https://www.twitter.com/playdate/status/1131736869153017856

layer8 4y ago
I modded my original Gameboy in the early 90s to add edge LEDs (green ones), which was a significant improvement. Surely something like that would have been possible. Purely reflective LCD isn’t easy on the eyes, even if it’s super reflective. It was okay for PDAs (Palm Pilot) that you only use for a minute or so at a time, but for gaming it really isn’t very attractive.
- ihuman 4y ago
  Did those LEDs reflect off the front of the display? They said they tried something like that, but it wasn't good enough. It looks like the reflectiveness is closer to epaper than a mirror.
  - LeoNatan25 4y ago
    The system described by the commenter sits between the LCD and the front plastic. There are no reflection issues as far as I am aware.
    - ihuman 4y ago
      That's what I assumed the person meant, and what the twitter link I posted talked about. I also mentioned the reflectiveness because the commenter talked about problems with overly-reflective screens.
    - layer8 4y ago
      That’s right. I actually had forgotten about the front plastic, but am remembering now that you mention it. The lighting from the LEDs wasn’t completely uniform (I had six LEDs, three on the right and three on the left, I believe), but good enough.
nvrspyx 4y ago
> Did you read the article? It has images comparing the screen to the original Game Boy's under different lighting conditions halfway down the page. That's a good point, but how fair is the comparison really when the Gameboy's screen is at least 20 years old and has surely degraded during that time? With that said, neither look great under the dimmer lighting even if the Playdate is a step up.

by ihuman 4y ago

layer8 4y ago

I modded my original Gameboy in the early 90s to add edge LEDs (green ones), which was a significant improvement. Surely something like that would have been possible. Purely reflective LCD isn’t easy on the eyes, even if it’s super reflective. It was okay for PDAs (Palm Pilot) that you only use for a minute or so at a time, but for gaming it really isn’t very attractive.

ihuman 4y ago
Did those LEDs reflect off the front of the display? They said they tried something like that, but it wasn't good enough. It looks like the reflectiveness is closer to epaper than a mirror.
- LeoNatan25 4y ago
  The system described by the commenter sits between the LCD and the front plastic. There are no reflection issues as far as I am aware.
  - ihuman 4y ago
    That's what I assumed the person meant, and what the twitter link I posted talked about. I also mentioned the reflectiveness because the commenter talked about problems with overly-reflective screens.
  - layer8 4y ago
    That’s right. I actually had forgotten about the front plastic, but am remembering now that you mention it. The lighting from the LEDs wasn’t completely uniform (I had six LEDs, three on the right and three on the left, I believe), but good enough.

nvrspyx 4y ago

> Did you read the article? It has images comparing the screen to the original Game Boy's under different lighting conditions halfway down the page. That's a good point, but how fair is the comparison really when the Gameboy's screen is at least 20 years old and has surely degraded during that time? With that said, neither look great under the dimmer lighting even if the Playdate is a step up.