Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 18

I have the same thing

You have to remember that the Prism uses an active matrix display, and as such, there are color differences when viewing the display from different angles. my laptop does the same thing.

Unless you have the wave shimmies like the 10 different Prisms I have had this month alone, I would not bother returning it. See my prior message above about how to get a NEW Prism for free if the refurb unit Handspring sent you has problems too.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA Interests: Women, Drums, Visors, Computers, Home Theater and any cool gadgets.
Posts: 138

Re: I have the same thing

quote:

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Originally posted by tj829
You have to remember that the Prism uses an active matrix display, and as such, there are color differences when viewing the display from different angles. my laptop does the same thing.

Unless you have the wave shimmies like the 10 different Prisms I have had this month alone, I would not bother returning it. See my prior message above about how to get a NEW Prism for free if the refurb unit Handspring sent you has problems too.

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I thought so. I just wanted to make sure this was normal, thanks.

I see no real shimmer but do get the flicker once in awhile like it loses power for a second.

My main problem is my battery doesn't last worth S&^%.

I have to figure out what is doing this or exchange it anyway.

__________________
I don't NEED color, I crave it!
<BR>Just a fan! <A HREF=" http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/ "><IMG SRC=" http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/nav/foot-station.gif "></A><BR>

Registered: Nov 2000
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 201

Re: Do what I do!

quote:

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Originally posted by tj829
Did you know the reason why you are getting units from Handspring that have screen problems is because they are sending you REFURBS -- broken units that they receive from other customers like yourself. There is NO quality control with refurbs. Call Handspring yourself and confirm this!

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Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 18

Re: Re: Do what I do!

quote:

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Originally posted by critic

quote:

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Originally posted by tj829
Did you know the reason why you are getting units from Handspring that have screen problems is because they are sending you REFURBS -- broken units that they receive from other customers like yourself. There is NO quality control with refurbs. Call Handspring yourself and confirm this!

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I had a funny feeling about this. But I made so much fuss when I got to Prism #4 (see earlier posts), they sent me a new unit (complete with retail box, cradle, slipcase, etc.) direct from the fulfillment house, still sealed. And yet...still a flicker. So I don't know that even getting a new unit is the answer. (Although in retrospect, I'm beginning to wish I had bought mine at Staples. Or held on to my first unit - it only had a broken recharge light.)

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Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 9

Flicker/Shimmer NO MORE!

I noticed some slight flickering on my Prism and came across this hidden feature that allows you go change contrast - my flickering is absolutely gone! Try it out!

Go to Prefs
Change Date to Jan 1 1904
Hold down Power button
Adjust Brightness (this is actually now Contrast) to the left (maybe 1/3 of they way)
See the difference!

Make sure you change back your time.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA Interests: Women, Drums, Visors, Computers, Home Theater and any cool gadgets.
Posts: 138

Re: Flicker/Shimmer NO MORE!

quote:

---

Originally posted by SG
I noticed some slight flickering on my Prism and came across this hidden feature that allows you go change contrast - my flickering is absolutely gone! Try it out!

Go to Prefs
Change Date to Jan 1 1904
Hold down Power button
Adjust Brightness (this is actually now Contrast) to the left (maybe 1/3 of they way)
See the difference!

Make sure you change back your time.

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I don't have the shimmer problem but I have to ask, how in the HELL did you discover this one?

I did it just to see it and indeed it does turn the brightness to a contrast control. This is weird. I wonder if you have to do that date only? I wonder why this isn't documented or easier to get to. I would think this would be a useful thing to know if it fixes a lot of problems for users. Hell it should be in the Prism FAQ on Handsprings site.

Great catch no matter what, as it is good to know that feature is there and will help a lot of people.

You really should post this "hack" as its own topic in case others miss it here. With the Prism I learn something new everyday�

__________________
I don't NEED color, I crave it!
<BR>Just a fan! <A HREF=" http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/ "><IMG SRC=" http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/nav/foot-station.gif "></A><BR>

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 18

Re: Flicker/Shimmer NO MORE!

quote:

---

Originally posted by SG
I noticed some slight flickering on my Prism and came across this hidden feature that allows you go change contrast - my flickering is absolutely gone! Try it out!

Go to Prefs
Change Date to Jan 1 1904
Hold down Power button
Adjust Brightness (this is actually now Contrast) to the left (maybe 1/3 of they way)
See the difference!

Make sure you change back your time.

---

Registered: Nov 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 13

This is unbelievable!

Registered: Nov 2000
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 201

Re: Flicker/Shimmer NO MORE!

quote:

---

Originally posted by SG
I noticed some slight flickering on my Prism and came across this hidden feature that allows you go change contrast - my flickering is absolutely gone! Try it out!

Go to Prefs
Change Date to Jan 1 1904
Hold down Power button
Adjust Brightness (this is actually now Contrast) to the left (maybe 1/3 of they way)
See the difference!

Make sure you change back your time.

---

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

THAT FIXED IT!!

I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't tried it myself!!!

THANKS !!! I'd also like to know how the #$%* you figured that out!!


Now we need someone to write a system hack for that!

-Eric

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 2531

Are you an angel?

__________________
-Joshua
Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Texan in Calgary for a while
Posts: 1361

Nice catch! Worthy of a news item.

__________________
James Hromadka
Old Friend

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Baltimore MD, USA
Posts: 717

SG, you are a Visor Guru-Ghod! Absolutely amazing!

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Posts: 406

Re: Color difference when viewed right to left.

quote:

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Originally posted by Babylon5

Since we are here talking about the screens. Do you guys also notice a color difference when looking at the Prism from an angle?
Tilting the Prism to the right all the colors get lighter. Tilting to the left all the colors get darker.

This can be seen with just the apps menu icons and can really be seen looking at a picture or even City Time. It affects all the colors together. It does not take much of a tilt to see it.

Is this just me? If it is not then I am taking this back myself.

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

It's caused from the polarization of light passing thru the liquid crystal.

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 18

does this happen to you? COOL TRICK!!!!

I am on my 25th Prism! This mainly because I have been doing a trick which seems cool at first, but ends up in the total destruction of my unit. Try this and let me know if you get the same results: I like to start a nice roaring fire in my fireplace, and once it gets going, I set the date on my Prism to 01/01/1901, adjust the brightness down to the lowest point, add a phonebook entry for Palm, calculate the square root of -1 on the calculator, and then I throw my Prism into the fire. If you do this just right, you will see the paint on the Prism melt off first, and a nice mini shower of sparks as the battery explodes lithium everywhere! it is very cool, but expensive to do! Try it and let me know!

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Posts: 406

Re: does this happen to you? COOL TRICK!!!!

quote:

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Originally posted by tj829
I am on my 25th Prism! This mainly because I have been doing a trick which seems cool at first, but ends up in the total destruction of my unit. Try this and let me know if you get the same results: I like to start a nice roaring fire in my fireplace, and once it gets going, I set the date on my Prism to 01/01/1901, adjust the brightness down to the lowest point, add a phonebook entry for Palm, calculate the square root of -1 on the calculator, and then I throw my Prism into the fire. If you do this just right, you will see the paint on the Prism melt off first, and a nice mini shower of sparks as the battery explodes lithium everywhere! it is very cool, but expensive to do! Try it and let me know!

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lol.. I don't get it...
Joking for the sake of joking I guess?