Ask HN: Would you buy a red-pixel only screen?(docs.google.com)
1 pointby macrolet3 hours ago1 comment
  • macrolet3 hours ago
    For the past few weeks, I had trouble falling asleep. Mostly due to late night screen use. Even though I use blue-light filtering glasses and night-time mode on my screen.

    Then I thought to myself, why do I need to fight with this? Why cant I just buy a screen that has only red pixels (LEDs) on it?

    So, I made a google form to check for interest in such a display. Or just comment here. Would you be interested in buying a display that uses only red pixels (no blue or green light) to reduce eye strain and improve sleep quality, even if it means limited color accuracy?

    • sgbeal2 hours ago
      > (no blue or green light)

      Coincidentally, i saw several headlines yesterday (now long gone from my news feed) claiming that blue light filters are not nearly as effective as once believed. It may be worth researching the current status on that info before committing to a red-only screen. (There's no way i'd buy one, in any case.)

      • macrolet25 minutes ago
        The "pixels" of a screen are composed of red, green, and blue sub-pixels. Software filtering mostly reduces the blue and green light emitted, but does not eliminate it. And the sensors in our eyes, the rods, are less sensitive to red color, when compared to blue or green. This means that looking at a red-light only monitor would be closer to "night" vision.
    • treetalkeran hour ago
      FWIW, iOS already allows color filtering to display only red (or any other color).

      I believe macOS does too; and then there's the venerable f.lux, which not only has warmer tinting but also "Darkroom mode" (red only).

      • macrolet21 minutes ago
        That is a valid argument against. A conventional display can simulate a red-only display, while the reverse is not possible.

        However, there are two technical points, and one non-technical point, I would like to reply with.

        First, as in my other comment, software filtering mostly reduces the blue and green light emitted, but does not eliminate it.

        Second, these blue and green pixels become "useless". A monochromatic red-pixel display could have higher resolutions, or lower complexity and power use.

        Third, and the biggest reason (in my opinion), is that it is not optional. A red-pixel only display, does not allow you to change "the warmness" or adjust the colors. Instead it forces its own color mode.