Not All E-Ink Carta 1300 is Created Equal - Deep Dive the Manta, ViWoods and Note Max

Summary

In this video, the speaker compares the display quality of different devices using the Carter 1300 screen, highlighting differences in whiteness, contrast, and ghosting. The speaker discusses how the Manta and VWS displays have different responses to white backgrounds and refresh behavior, including how voltage and power management affect the display's clarity. Viewers' reactions, including complaints about green darkness and eye strain, are explored. The speaker suggests potential software updates to improve these issues, while also discussing the hardware advancements and expectations for future devices.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker compares various devices using Carta 1300 e-ink technology, focusing on screen quality differences.
• 😀 Brightness and contrast are key factors in display quality, with some devices showing more vivid whites than others.
• 😀 Power management is a crucial aspect of e-ink displays, as achieving a bright white screen requires more energy.
• 😀 Some devices exhibit ghosting effects when dark shapes are moved across the screen, leaving behind faint white traces.
• 😀 Screen texture imperfections, such as visible dots and grid patterns, affect the overall visual clarity of the display.
• 😀 There are suggestions that software updates could help improve the brightness and clarity of displays without requiring new hardware.
• 😀 The speaker points out that the Manta device shows less white ghosting compared to other devices like the Note Max.
• 😀 E-ink screens' ability to handle refresh cycles can cause slight variations in brightness and clarity across devices.
• 😀 The speaker wonders whether the manufacturing date of each device influences the display characteristics, such as screen brightness.
• 😀 There is interest in whether future updates will address the issue of white ghosting, allowing users to customize contrast for battery life savings.

Q & A

What is the main issue being discussed in the video?

The video discusses the differences in screen quality between e-ink devices, focusing on the white balance, contrast, ghosting, and power management of displays using the Carta 1300 screen technology.

How does the speaker describe the white balance of different devices?

The speaker notes that devices like the Go6 appear crisper and have a brighter white, while the Manta has a darker screen. The differences in white balance could be due to software settings or variations in the manufacturing process.

What is the significance of the whiter areas on the screen after a refresh?

The whiter areas seen after a screen refresh could indicate a difference in how the screen technology is managing power and contrast. The speaker suggests that these areas may not return to their original brightness after the refresh, leading to inconsistent white balance.

How does the speaker explain the potential reason for these white areas?

The speaker speculates that the device might be using a higher voltage to pull the screen to a pure white, which could cause temporary artifacts like the whiter patches. This might be a side effect of the software or power management settings.

What role does power management play in the screen's performance?

Power management plays a significant role in how white a screen can appear. Pulling the screen to a complete white requires more power, which could negatively affect battery life. The speaker suggests there could be software updates to adjust these settings, allowing users to save power or improve contrast.

How does the speaker compare the display of the Manta with other devices?

The speaker observes that the Manta display shows a bit of ghosting and lighter areas when black objects are moved across the screen. In contrast, the Note Max is described as having a darker screen, but it doesn’t show the same ghosting effects.

What does the speaker mean by 'ghosting' on the Manta's screen?

Ghosting refers to the visual artifact where a black object, when moved around the screen, leaves behind a lighter, whiter outline or smudge. The speaker notices this effect on the Manta, but not as prominently on other devices.

What differences are highlighted between the Manta and the Note Max's displays?

The speaker highlights that the Manta has a coarser texture and more visible artifacts like ghosting and inconsistent white balance. In comparison, the Note Max has a smoother, darker screen and shows fewer artifacts during screen refreshes.

How do different devices manage screen artifacts like ghosting?

Devices like the Note Max handle screen artifacts like ghosting better, likely due to the integration of different technology, such as the BSR chip. The Manta, while using the same screen technology (Carta 1300), shows more noticeable ghosting and inconsistent white balance.

What future improvements does the speaker suggest for e-ink devices?

The speaker suggests that software updates could help resolve issues like ghosting and improve power management. They also express curiosity about how future e-ink devices will evolve, especially considering that many current devices using Carta 1300 are already a year old.