Modos announces pre-launch for 60 Hz 13.3" e-ink Modos Paper Monitor and Development Kit with open-hardware and open-source hackability

Modos has announced the pre-launch of its 13.3-inch Modos Paper Monitor with monochrome and color e-ink panel options capable of a 60 Hz refresh rate. The Paper Monitor addresses the major issue preventing the broader use of e-ink displays by using low-latency pixels that provide smooth video playback and responsive page scrolling. For DIY and hacker projects, a separate Modos Development Kit with open-hardware and open-source software will also be available for integration into personal and corporate projects.

E-ink displays use a novel method to display images and text – charged, colored particles that move within the panel according to the display signal to show different colors. When no electrical signal is present, the particles are stable in their current positions, so the last image shown remains visible for years. This results in long runtimes and low power drain, thus e-ink displays are ideal for e-book readers (like this one on Amazon). However, most e-ink displays suffer from low, screen refresh rates of about 10 Hz, which is a far cry from the 60 Hz norm of TVs or the 120+ Hz norm of top HDR mini-LED gaming monitors (like this one on Amazon).

Modos has developed a custom display driver with fast display memory along with custom refresh algorithms to increase the refresh rate high enough to support smooth video playback. To speed up pixel changes, the Modos controller updates multiple regions of pixels simultaneously rather than in series and can cancel pixel color changes before full state changes occur. To speed up page scrolling, the controller automatically switches to a faster black and white mode during scrolling, then back to a slower grayscale mode when scrolling has stopped.

The Modos Paper Monitor can play videos without traditional e-ink display flashing, stuttering, or image blur. The 13.3-inch display has a resolution of 1600 x 1200 pixels, HDMI and USB connectors, and Linux, Mac, and Windows computer compatibility.

The Development Kit will be available in 6 or 13.3-inch color and monochrome e-ink models. Preliminary hardware information is detailed on GitHub and licensed under the CERN Open Hardware License Version 2 – Strongly Reciprocal (CERN-OHL-S).