Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Posts: 44

Visor Prism contrast utility out!

Check out the new Contrast utility on the new look Handspring support site - lets you change the contrast without using the funky date method. There's an updater out too for Prism and Platinum although it doesn't seem to do much more than the old 1.1 updater.

http://support.handspring.com/esupp...sp?Type=Updates

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Pembroke,MA
Posts: 307

Yup, I downloaded and installed it too.. If you futz around with the settings, you can easily see what others have complained about with the "flickering Prism syndrome". I would have returned mine too, if I had a screen like some of the flickering you can get going by playing with the utility.

I also loaded the 1.4 updater, which really didn't seem to do anything, my graffiti recognition already was fine, and hotsyncs have not been a problem. Oh well. Glad to see they are taking care of some known bugs though...

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 708

Thanks for the heads up on the Contrast Setting App. As for the V1.4 Updater, the FAQ says it basically fixes 01 new bug in BitMap compression/corruption. Items 1 thru 3 were addressed in the original update V1.2. If your Prism is new enough, you should have already had that patch installed when you bought your Prism. This would explain why you saw no advantages to the new patch.

Again, thanks for heads up.

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In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. JOHN 14:2

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: NYC
Posts: 287

Why would Handspring make the contast utility for the PRISM in Black and white? Come on guys we are talking about the Prism a color device. This application really looks bad in my unit. Please add colors to this application.

Al

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It all started way back in February 2000 with a Blue VDX.

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 5

I have downloaded the contrast utility and played around with it a bit. Unfortunalty, I still have screen flicker.

If you'll note in the "read me" portion of the down load; this utility is for "perceived screen flickering". Handspring is still saying (in a round about way) that the screen flicker is "all in our head".

Registered: Apr 2001
Location:
Posts: 31

Xey, I noticed their "perceived" comment, also. Geez, I guess we're all crazy!

Barb

Registered: May 2000
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 1429

The flickering appears best when it's like the grey graident. Sorry, but you want the best, you got it.

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-miradu

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Posts: 44

Perceived flickering

I think they are using the term perceived because it the perception of flickering is very subjective; it depends on the angle you typically view an LCD screen at, if you are in sunlight or under flourescent lighting. Peripheral vision sees more flickering than direct view. It is kind of like being able to hear tones well.

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Alive and well on VisorCentral.com
Posts: 861

I found that if you don't get the settings just right you will get flicker in either direction.. The utility does work, it just requires real precision to get it set so there is no flicker..

As far as why it's black and white, I would suspect it more of a technical reason then an aesthetic reason.. highly contrasting colors adjacent to each other will cause flickering (anyone who own an Amiga can tell you about this!)..

I would suspect any color wheel opposites would work, but black and white are your most extreme's in color ranges..

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Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 714

I've found the setting at about 25% is perfect to eliminate flicker.

Whats it matter if the app looks ugly? Once you set the contrast its not like you need the app anymore.

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Matt Nichols
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Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 12

When I use the contrast utility it always pushes the brightness setting way higher than I ilke it. Is this what it's supposed to do?

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 708

quote:

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Originally posted by VM
When I use the contrast utility it always pushes the brightness setting way higher than I ilke it. Is this what it's supposed to do?

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In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. JOHN 14:2