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- Visor Prism (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/forumdisplay.php?forumid=19)
-- Prism vs. Palm IIIc screens (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=11368)

I have compared two Prisms side-by-side with two Palm IIIcs. To me, the IIIc has a significantly brighter/whiter background, making it easier to read. Anyone else notice this, or is it just me? And if it's true, why? I hear the hardware is identical. (Sorry if this has been done already - I'm new to Visor ownership.)

I have done the comparison, IIIc to Prism, I think the brightness is also related to how "warm" the unit is. I notice that if I start my Prism cold, it is not as bright as after it has had some current draw. I would expect that like some battery's the current output is improved after they start flowing. At any rate, I found the different of the 2 units to be negligable, and after warmed up, identical. Keep in mind you should turn the brightness on both unit to max to compare.

Interesting - I had vaguely suspected the Prism to become brighter as it warmed up, but I haven't given it that chance when compared to the Palm IIIc. I'll check it out with a coworker's IIIc. On the other hand, I have noticed twice now that a Prism fresh out of its retail box is, for a little while, brighter than a unit that has been used for a few hours/days. Wonder why that is?

You probably already knew this but the IIIc can only display 256 colors while the prism is capable of 16 bit color (over 65,000 colors).

Yes, the 16 bit color apps are really nice, I use the little eyemodule, it's fun. Comparing the IIc to Prism....I think the extra processor speed, USB sync (a big deal) springboard slot, and the enhance apps (Love the financial calc), make the prism worth the extra bucks over the IIIc. My only complaint, it I long for a sleeker unit, but when handspring comes out with it, I'll sell my prism on e-bay and upgrade again. Color makes the palm experience more enjoyable overall. I bought the Prism when they first came out upgraded from a deluxe, I really like the unit !

Check out the fix for the Prism "flicker"

Go to Prefs
Go to date
Change date to Jan. 1, 1904
Press and hold power button until "brightness" bar appears
Adjust to the left.
What an incredible difference!!

Two notes: It takes a while to "tap" down to 1904.
Also, you have to tap back up to the current date to return the unit, well, to the correct date and to restore the brightness adjuster. Unbelievable difference.

Credit to the poster who put this on the Prism Forum!

quote:

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Originally posted by sanchan
Check out the fix for the Prism "flicker"
It takes a while to "tap" down to 1904.

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Winchell - are you running a Prism with OS 3.5.2H? Tapping on the year on my Prism, whether in date book or in the date setting part of Prefs - does nothing. No window pops up.

quote:

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Originally posted by alanf
whether in date book or in the date setting part of Prefs - does nothing. No window pops up.

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__________________
Taki
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I just scrolled to the year, using the arrows on the left of the calendar.

I just compared yet another IIIc to my Visor. The IIIc clearly has a brighter, whiter screen, and the difference is quite noticeable. And this time I made sure my Visor was plenty warmed up - even after several minutes, the IIIc was still significantly better. I also have done the contrast adjustment trick previously described, and while that helped a bit, the IIIc is still obviously brighter and easier to read.

Has anyone other than george_vc and me tried this side-by-side comparison?

If the IIIc and the Prism really do use the same screen hardware, I'm tempted to conclude that my screen is defective - BUT my wife also has a Prism, and if anything my screen is very slightly brighter than hers (even after doing the contrast adjustment trick on hers). Any ideas? Does it have something to do with 65K colors vs. 256?

optical illusion maybe?

Maybe it's because of the darker IIIc case. Stuff usually looks brighter next to darker colors. You need a laboratory quality light meter or something to get an objective opinion.

The Prism does have a slightly dimmer screen. I concluded this by placing both my (outgoing) IIIc and my new Prism under a sheet of regular white copy paper. This way, no ambient light, surface reflection or unit shape or color interfered with perception of the screen.

The difference was very slight on mine, but some have complained that it's more distinct. This could possibly be due to the contrast bug that people have been relating to the screen flicker...

b

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bill s.
lead artist, the 3do company
visor prism / casio e-100
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