Best for storing, displaying, and annotating 2-column PDF's? (e.g. research articles)

cmhsieh54 · 07-11-2009, 02:54 PM

Hey all,

Sorry if the question in the post's Title is easy to answer, but I've spent quite some time going through threads, and I still can't find the info I'm looking for...

Basically, I'm a researcher and I want to be able to store, display, and annotate 2-column PDF's. I want the page to fit on a screen without physically rotating the device or reading 2-column text a half-page at a time. I don't mind converting PDF's to the proper format via full-version Acrobat. (Finally, ideally I'd be able to transfer the annotated version back to my PC, but that's not crucial.)

As I understand it, I'm going to need a large screen to display such documents the way I want, so I'm looking at the iRex or the Kindle DX. But from what I understand, the Kindle DX has no annotating functionality for PDF's. Even if somebody here confirms that the iRex can indeed do everything that I want, it's abnormally expensive, right?

Any info appreciated!

emellaich · 07-11-2009, 07:15 PM

The iRex is definitely too rich for me, but I'm not sure its abnormally expensive since it is the only one that does all that stuff [grin].

There are some folks that think its a definite winner. You can visit the thread:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49817
and see/ask questions of an owner.

If it doesn't meet your needs, I would suggest you really only have two other alternatives at this point. 1) Look for a tablet pc, or 2) Wait for the market to evolve.

I do not have experience with iRex and folks that do seem to love them. However, I wouldn't be surprised to find out that the state of eInk today does not support seamless annotation capability. I think you will have to buy a tablet, or wait for newer screen technology, such as pixel qi.

dreams · 07-11-2009, 07:52 PM

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50694

The above thread was started by another member, Moejoe, and might be an interesting consideration for your needs....

HarryT · 07-12-2009, 05:24 AM

The iRex DR1000S is probably the only eInk device on the market which will meet your needs. It is expensive compared with 6" eInk readers, but that is not the market it is competing in - it's aimed squarely at the business community and is priced against Tablet PC, against which it stacks up very well. I have one, and consider it to be well worth the money.

emellaich · 07-12-2009, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

The iRex DR1000S is probably the only eInk device on the market which will meet your needs. It is expensive compared with 6" eInk readers, but that is not the market it is competing in - it's aimed squarely at the business community and is priced against Tablet PC, against which it stacks up very well. I have one, and consider it to be well worth the money.

Harry, can you help educate me on this? How does the iRex DR1000s do with annotation? My question is more specifically having to do with the combination of touch screen and e-ink. I have assumed that, because of e-ink's relatively slow refresh, a touch screen e-ink would lag behind the actual drawing on the screen. What is your actual experience? If so, is it a problem?

Thanks

cmhsieh54 · 07-12-2009, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emellaich

Harry, can you help educate me on this? How does the iRex DR1000s do with annotation? My question is more specifically having to do with the combination of touch screen and e-ink. I have assumed that, because of e-ink's relatively slow refresh, a touch screen e-ink would lag behind the actual drawing on the screen. What is your actual experience? If so, is it a problem?

Thanks

Search youtube for "irex digital reader" and you should find the video that helps to answer your question. The lag appears to be pretty minimal.

Personally, I'm mainly concerned with some of the infamous 'bugs' and the high pricetag...

-cmhsieh54

HarryT · 07-12-2009, 01:52 PM

eInk screens have the ability to do a partial refresh, which is very quick. The "lag" between drawing and "seeing" what you draw on the screen really is minimal.

cmhsieh54 - iRex really have got it "right" with the current 1.6 firmware. The machine is rock-solid and I have personally not encountered any significant bugs.

HarryT · 07-12-2009, 02:02 PM

This video should remove any concerns you have about the delay lag:

emellaich · 07-12-2009, 11:14 PM

Thanks Harry and cmhsieh54 for the pointers to the Youtube videos

PhishStyx · 07-12-2009, 11:40 PM

My DR 1000s will display what I write just about as fast as I can write it.
I frequently use my DR to put notes on my PDF documents and store them there for future reference. My DR 1000s was definitely money well-spent and has only gotten better with the firmware updates.

07-11-2009, 02:54 PM	#1
cmhsieh54 Enthusiast Posts: 27 Karma: 22 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: None	Best for storing, displaying, and annotating 2-column PDF's? (e.g. research articles) Hey all, Sorry if the question in the post's Title is easy to answer, but I've spent quite some time going through threads, and I still can't find the info I'm looking for... Basically, I'm a researcher and I want to be able to store, display, and annotate 2-column PDF's. I want the page to fit on a screen without physically rotating the device or reading 2-column text a half-page at a time. I don't mind converting PDF's to the proper format via full-version Acrobat. (Finally, ideally I'd be able to transfer the annotated version back to my PC, but that's not crucial.) As I understand it, I'm going to need a large screen to display such documents the way I want, so I'm looking at the iRex or the Kindle DX. But from what I understand, the Kindle DX has no annotating functionality for PDF's. Even if somebody here confirms that the iRex can indeed do everything that I want, it's abnormally expensive, right? Any info appreciated!

07-12-2009, 11:40 PM	#10
PhishStyx The me that I am Posts: 413 Karma: 1078 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: In my house! Duh! Device: Kindle 1 & DR 1000s	My DR 1000s will display what I write just about as fast as I can write it. I frequently use my DR to put notes on my PDF documents and store them there for future reference. My DR 1000s was definitely money well-spent and has only gotten better with the firmware updates. Last edited by PhishStyx; 07-12-2009 at 11:43 PM.

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07-11-2009, 07:15 PM	#2
emellaich Wizard Posts: 1,101 Karma: 4388403 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: Palm>Ebookman>IPaq>Axim>Cybook>Kndl2>IPAD>Kndl3SO>Voyager>Oasis	The iRex is definitely too rich for me, but I'm not sure its abnormally expensive since it is the only one that does all that stuff [grin]. There are some folks that think its a definite winner. You can visit the thread: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49817 and see/ask questions of an owner. If it doesn't meet your needs, I would suggest you really only have two other alternatives at this point. 1) Look for a tablet pc, or 2) Wait for the market to evolve. I do not have experience with iRex and folks that do seem to love them. However, I wouldn't be surprised to find out that the state of eInk today does not support seamless annotation capability. I think you will have to buy a tablet, or wait for newer screen technology, such as pixel qi.

07-11-2009, 07:52 PM	#3
dreams It's about the umbrella Posts: 25,110 Karma: 56250158 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: Sony 505\| K Fire \| KK 3G+Wi-Fi \| iPhone 3Gs \|Vista 32-bit Hm Prem w/FF	https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50694 The above thread was started by another member, Moejoe, and might be an interesting consideration for your needs....

07-12-2009, 05:24 AM	#4
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	The iRex DR1000S is probably the only eInk device on the market which will meet your needs. It is expensive compared with 6" eInk readers, but that is not the market it is competing in - it's aimed squarely at the business community and is priced against Tablet PC, against which it stacks up very well. I have one, and consider it to be well worth the money.

07-12-2009, 01:52 PM	#7
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	eInk screens have the ability to do a partial refresh, which is very quick. The "lag" between drawing and "seeing" what you draw on the screen really is minimal. cmhsieh54 - iRex really have got it "right" with the current 1.6 firmware. The machine is rock-solid and I have personally not encountered any significant bugs.

07-12-2009, 02:02 PM	#8
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	This video should remove any concerns you have about the delay lag:

07-12-2009, 11:14 PM	#9
emellaich Wizard Posts: 1,101 Karma: 4388403 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: Palm>Ebookman>IPaq>Axim>Cybook>Kndl2>IPAD>Kndl3SO>Voyager>Oasis	Thanks Harry and cmhsieh54 for the pointers to the Youtube videos

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