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Transflectve LCDs can't compete against Eink on contrast. They are inherently compromised on light transmission because of the polarizers and the modern desire

Transflectve LCDs can't compete against Eink on contrast. They are inherently compromised on light transmission because of the polarizers and the modern desire for [back|front]light support.

dredmorbius 2y ago
I'm aware of LCD's inherent contrast handicap due to polarising filters. That said, E-ink also has a relatively low contrast ratio. Interestingly, that turns into a benefit under direct sunlight, where ink-on-paper is often too bright. Finding current specs is challenging, but E-Ink Carta, as of 2013 (over a decade ago) was citing a 15:1 contrast ratio: <https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/E_Ink_Carta https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/E_Ink_Carta> Edit/Update: A more recent HN comment gives 12:1 as applying to most E-Ink displays as of 2020, with 8:1 being more common: <https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22832452 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22832452> I suspect current displays are somewhat better, and I'm seeing a "50% improvement" comment bandied about but without a corresponding contrast ratio. Earlier displays had an 8:1 ratio. In practice, displays will have worse contrast with additional layers on top of the display, such as a Wacom tablet, capacitive touch, frontlight, and any surface "tooth" treatment. E-Paper cites a 30:1 ratio, which would be far greater contrast: <https://www.newvisiondisplay.com/transflective-lcds/ https://www.newvisiondisplay.com/transflective-lcds/> I've had direct personal experience with E-Ink, but not with transflective LCD tablet displays. I suspect that in practice the displays are reasonably comparable in terms of contrast.
thaumasiotes 2y ago
> and the modern desire for [back|front]light support. I had a keyboard kindle that came with a case that included a dim orange pull-out booklight. I wish we could still get that. It was much more relaxing to read by than the modern uniform white glow from the page itself.
- dredmorbius 2y ago
  You can always use a clip-on book light, or other external light source. <https://accessorytosuccess.com/blogs/tools/best-book-light-reading-light-top-picks-for-2023 https://accessorytosuccess.com/blogs/tools/best-book-light-r...>
  - thaumasiotes 2y ago
    Every light in your link advertises (!) its multiple brightness and color settings. That makes for absolutely awful usability. I purchased a light like that, and it's terrible. Give me an actual booklight where the settings are "on" and "off". (Bizarrely, the light settings on a Kindle Oasis are barely better - since the light is controlled by an internal menu, as opposed to a hardware control, it can't be operated unless you can see the menu. This means that it isn't possible to have the light off during the day and turn it on when it becomes dark - if it's dark, and the light isn't already on, it can't be turned on. My conclusion is that there are no device manufacturers who understand how or why someone might want to use a lamp.)
    - pbhjpbhj 2y ago
      How about a white book light with a piece of orange/yellow plastic over it (like a stage lighting gel).
    - dredmorbius 2y ago
      I was simply pointing to the general concept. I suspect that there are simple, single-colour, single-level clip-on lights. Or, you know, conventional room lighting / reading lights.

Transflectve LCDs can't compete against Eink on contrast. They are inherently compromised on light transmission because of the polarizers and the modern desire for [back|front]light support.

dredmorbius 2y ago

I'm aware of LCD's inherent contrast handicap due to polarising filters. That said, E-ink also has a relatively low contrast ratio. Interestingly, that turns into a benefit under direct sunlight, where ink-on-paper is often too bright. Finding current specs is challenging, but E-Ink Carta, as of 2013 (over a decade ago) was citing a 15:1 contrast ratio: <https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/E_Ink_Carta https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/E_Ink_Carta> Edit/Update: A more recent HN comment gives 12:1 as applying to most E-Ink displays as of 2020, with 8:1 being more common: <https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22832452 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22832452> I suspect current displays are somewhat better, and I'm seeing a "50% improvement" comment bandied about but without a corresponding contrast ratio. Earlier displays had an 8:1 ratio. In practice, displays will have worse contrast with additional layers on top of the display, such as a Wacom tablet, capacitive touch, frontlight, and any surface "tooth" treatment. E-Paper cites a 30:1 ratio, which would be far greater contrast: <https://www.newvisiondisplay.com/transflective-lcds/ https://www.newvisiondisplay.com/transflective-lcds/> I've had direct personal experience with E-Ink, but not with transflective LCD tablet displays. I suspect that in practice the displays are reasonably comparable in terms of contrast.

thaumasiotes 2y ago

> and the modern desire for [back|front]light support. I had a keyboard kindle that came with a case that included a dim orange pull-out booklight. I wish we could still get that. It was much more relaxing to read by than the modern uniform white glow from the page itself.

dredmorbius 2y ago
You can always use a clip-on book light, or other external light source. <https://accessorytosuccess.com/blogs/tools/best-book-light-reading-light-top-picks-for-2023 https://accessorytosuccess.com/blogs/tools/best-book-light-r...>
- thaumasiotes 2y ago
  Every light in your link advertises (!) its multiple brightness and color settings. That makes for absolutely awful usability. I purchased a light like that, and it's terrible. Give me an actual booklight where the settings are "on" and "off". (Bizarrely, the light settings on a Kindle Oasis are barely better - since the light is controlled by an internal menu, as opposed to a hardware control, it can't be operated unless you can see the menu. This means that it isn't possible to have the light off during the day and turn it on when it becomes dark - if it's dark, and the light isn't already on, it can't be turned on. My conclusion is that there are no device manufacturers who understand how or why someone might want to use a lamp.)
  - pbhjpbhj 2y ago
    How about a white book light with a piece of orange/yellow plastic over it (like a stage lighting gel).
  - dredmorbius 2y ago
    I was simply pointing to the general concept. I suspect that there are simple, single-colour, single-level clip-on lights. Or, you know, conventional room lighting / reading lights.