Covers from Overdrive

paulfiera · 08-11-2011, 04:20 AM

Looks like I can't download any covers from Overdrive since this morning.

I have even tried with books I know I've downloaded covers before from Overdive.

Anybody else experiencing this?

ldolse · 08-11-2011, 05:40 AM

Looks like Overdrive's normal search is down right now. If it's permanent will update the plugin for the existing search, but odds are it's temporary.

On the good news side it looks like their classic/advanced search now correctly cross-references authors and titles so maybe it's worthwhile to update anyway.

paulfiera · 08-11-2011, 05:45 AM

Thanks, Idolse

JSWolf · 08-11-2011, 07:17 PM

The covers from Overdrive are mostly 510x680 resolution which is aspect ratio incorrect. Do you really want covers that can look off because they are off?

theducks · 08-11-2011, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The covers from Overdrive are mostly 510x680 resolution which is aspect ratio incorrect. Do you really want covers that can look off because they are off?

I have a feeling that OD's covers are from Hardbound editions. MMPB are 9:16 ratio

JSWolf · 08-11-2011, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

I have a feeling that OD's covers are from Hardbound editions. MMPB are 9:16 ratio

Actually, MS Reader is the reason. MS Reader used 510x680 covers to fully fill the window. That is why we have 510x680 resolution covers.

paulfiera · 08-12-2011, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The covers from Overdrive are mostly 510x680 resolution which is aspect ratio incorrect. Do you really want covers that can look off because they are off?

You are right. But sometimes they have the best covers regarding picture quality.

What would be the correct or best aspect ratio for book covers?

DoctorOhh · 08-12-2011, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulfiera

You are right. But sometimes they have the best covers regarding picture quality.

What would be the correct or best aspect ratio for book covers?

Unless the covers you get disturb you or trigger a OCD reaction don't worry about it. I look for quality looking covers. Then I crop out any white edges and resize all of my covers to 600x800. My library would drive JSWolf crazy, but it works for me.

JSWolf · 08-12-2011, 09:33 AM

It's that I do care about making my eBooks look good and a proper aspect ratio cover is a good thing to have.

theducks · 08-12-2011, 10:04 AM

I don't mind a tiny bit distortion, but when it makes something circular look like a cometary ellipse

Like Walt, I trim thos glaring White edges (Paintshop Pro)

paulfiera · 08-12-2011, 10:34 AM

...in the meantime, Overdrive covers from Metadata source still ain't working.

Wonder if they're blocking Calibre.

ldolse · 08-12-2011, 12:00 PM

They're not blocking Calibre specifically as far as I can tell. The Overdrive plugin uses search.overdrive.com - if you've never visited this directly it used to have a modern asp/json interface for searching. Now when you visit it from a browser you get automatically redirected to their 'classic' search interface, which uses an old-school form.

The fact that they've gone from modern to old and clunky seems to indicate some sort of upgrade/repair is in the works and the modern search is offline for the time being.

Since the classic interface basically requires a complete re-write of the plugin I'm going to cross my fingers and wait a week before committing to that.

JSWolf · 08-12-2011, 01:57 PM

Actually, wait until October. Rumor has it that Overdrive is revamping for some new changes like no more distinctive formats and Kindle lending. These are supposed to be happening in September. My guess is that the classic search will then go away as it won't be relevant any longer.

ldolse · 08-12-2011, 02:29 PM

Good point - that may well be true - right now each book gets several different ids based on format, so I wouldn't be surprised if the Kindle announcement triggers a change along those lines.

kiwidude · 08-12-2011, 02:32 PM

Re the cover sizes from Overdrive - not that I use this plugin but occasionally google images throws up one of their sizes of covers in the results (particularly from waterstones or whsmith here in the UK). I just do a simple resize to 436x680 using the Open With plugin & Paintshop to get the ratio unstretched if there isn't a better quality alternative.

However I am contemplating a plugin to automate that, so you could just specify a target size and have the plugin resize it. Would save a few mouse clicks for me at least. It might even be a nice additional option for the Overdrive plugin, would stop certain people grating their teeth over it.

08-11-2011, 04:20 AM	#1
paulfiera Addict Posts: 378 Karma: 3102 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: EU Device: Kobo Aura ONE, Kobo Libra H20	Covers from Overdrive Looks like I can't download any covers from Overdrive since this morning. I have even tried with books I know I've downloaded covers before from Overdive. Anybody else experiencing this?

08-11-2011, 05:40 AM	#2
ldolse Wizard Posts: 1,337 Karma: 123455 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Malaysia Device: PRS-650, iPhone	Looks like Overdrive's normal search is down right now. If it's permanent will update the plugin for the existing search, but odds are it's temporary. On the good news side it looks like their classic/advanced search now correctly cross-references authors and titles so maybe it's worthwhile to update anyway. Last edited by ldolse; 08-11-2011 at 06:04 AM.

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08-11-2011, 05:45 AM	#3
paulfiera Addict Posts: 378 Karma: 3102 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: EU Device: Kobo Aura ONE, Kobo Libra H20	Thanks, Idolse

08-11-2011, 07:17 PM	#4
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,894 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The covers from Overdrive are mostly 510x680 resolution which is aspect ratio incorrect. Do you really want covers that can look off because they are off?

08-12-2011, 09:33 AM	#9
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,894 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	It's that I do care about making my eBooks look good and a proper aspect ratio cover is a good thing to have.

08-12-2011, 10:04 AM	#10
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 29,779 Karma: 54830978 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	I don't mind a tiny bit distortion, but when it makes something circular look like a cometary ellipse Like Walt, I trim thos glaring White edges (Paintshop Pro)

08-12-2011, 10:34 AM	#11
paulfiera Addict Posts: 378 Karma: 3102 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: EU Device: Kobo Aura ONE, Kobo Libra H20	...in the meantime, Overdrive covers from Metadata source still ain't working. Wonder if they're blocking Calibre.

08-12-2011, 12:00 PM	#12
ldolse Wizard Posts: 1,337 Karma: 123455 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Malaysia Device: PRS-650, iPhone	They're not blocking Calibre specifically as far as I can tell. The Overdrive plugin uses search.overdrive.com - if you've never visited this directly it used to have a modern asp/json interface for searching. Now when you visit it from a browser you get automatically redirected to their 'classic' search interface, which uses an old-school form. The fact that they've gone from modern to old and clunky seems to indicate some sort of upgrade/repair is in the works and the modern search is offline for the time being. Since the classic interface basically requires a complete re-write of the plugin I'm going to cross my fingers and wait a week before committing to that.

08-12-2011, 01:57 PM	#13
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,894 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Actually, wait until October. Rumor has it that Overdrive is revamping for some new changes like no more distinctive formats and Kindle lending. These are supposed to be happening in September. My guess is that the classic search will then go away as it won't be relevant any longer.

08-12-2011, 02:29 PM	#14
ldolse Wizard Posts: 1,337 Karma: 123455 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Malaysia Device: PRS-650, iPhone	Good point - that may well be true - right now each book gets several different ids based on format, so I wouldn't be surprised if the Kindle announcement triggers a change along those lines.

08-12-2011, 02:32 PM	#15
kiwidude Calibre Plugins Developer Posts: 4,636 Karma: 2162064 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Australia Device: Kindle Oasis	Re the cover sizes from Overdrive - not that I use this plugin but occasionally google images throws up one of their sizes of covers in the results (particularly from waterstones or whsmith here in the UK). I just do a simple resize to 436x680 using the Open With plugin & Paintshop to get the ratio unstretched if there isn't a better quality alternative. However I am contemplating a plugin to automate that, so you could just specify a target size and have the plugin resize it. Would save a few mouse clicks for me at least. It might even be a nice additional option for the Overdrive plugin, would stop certain people grating their teeth over it.

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