Kindle ebook reader and use of calibre

paulcro · 10-03-2010, 08:05 AM

I am a newbie at the ebook world so excuse me if this question has been asked before.

Having been looking at the various ebook options - annoying that so many formats are out there - I am favouring the Kindle 3 based on reviews, price and access to the Amazon library which seems the best access to commercially available books.

However, it would be nice to be able to convert to Kindle format from epub etc. This is where i think Calibre comes into the picture. From what I can see Calibre does a lovely job of organising your library of ebooks and will allow - if you so wish - to convert an alternate format into the Kindle 3 MOBI format.

Do I have the correct impression or is there some glitch I am not seeing that disallows Kindle to read other converted book formats.

Would appreciate the experienced wisdom commenting on my new understanding.
Thanks

Manichean · 10-03-2010, 08:12 AM

I'm not using a Kindle myself, but from what I gather, all versions are fully supported by Calibre, so you shouldn't have any problems.

Strupniveral · 10-03-2010, 08:27 AM

I have recently got my Kindle 3 and I'm not facing any issue in using converted MOBI.
I saw some minor issue in converting from (simple) PDFs with ToC, page headers/footers, etc., so I assume it would get worse if the PDF become too complex (pages with background images and so on), but I didn't find any issue with ebooks converted from other ebooks formats.

HTH

Manichean · 10-03-2010, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strupniveral

I saw some minor issue in converting from (simple) PDFs with ToC, page headers/footers, etc., so I assume it would get worse if the PDF become too complex (pages with background images and so on), but I didn't find any issue with ebooks converted from other ebooks formats.

Just as a general remark, PDF is known to be problematic in conversion. That's true for any format you try to convert it into. Regarding TOC and headers/footers, Calibre has facilities to handle these problems.

user_none · 10-03-2010, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulcro

Do I have the correct impression or is there some glitch I am not seeing that disallows Kindle to read other converted book formats.

Your impression is correct. Calibre does everything you've described (plus a lot more). The only thing that will cause a problem is DRM. Calibre can import, organize, and transfer DRM protected books but it cannot convert them.

chaley · 10-03-2010, 10:21 AM

Virtually all books obtained from Amazon are DRM-encumbered. Unless you remove that DRM, such act being a violation of the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act), you cannot convert the book to any other format or read that book on any device but a kindle.

DRM is pestilential.

desertgrandma · 10-03-2010, 10:45 AM

Welcome to MobileRead, paulcro

Most books, except public domain books, bought from Amazon are drm'd......you can read them only on your Kindle.

If you download the various kindle for pc, mac, phones, etc, they can also be read on those devices.

They can't be read on a Sony, or nook.

Likewise, books bought from those places can't be read on a Kindle......

All of this is moot if you decide to strip the drm. Then, the books you bought are yours to read whereever and however you like.

ldolse · 10-03-2010, 11:42 AM

The amazon ecosystem can be nice in terms of ease of use, book selection, etc. That said, mobi as a format is not brilliant. It's handling of simple things like variable margins is a complete disaster, one I wasn't aware of until just the other day. Other types of more advanced formatting like floating images, svg, etc just aren't possible with mobi format.

Epub doesn't have any of those problems, but having an epub reader may mean that you sometimes need to jump through a few more technical hoops.

For myself I use a sony, but buy most of my content through Amazon. This requires downloading to my iphone (though PC users can use Kindle for pc), then strip the DRM so that I can convert to epub using Calibre. I'm quite happy with that process, but admittedly doing all that may not be worth it for the typical user.

If I was going to buy a reader for myself tomorrow I'd go with one of the new Sony readers in a heartbeat, but when it comes to recommending for most friends and family I'd probably still recommend the Kindle...

Worldwalker · 10-03-2010, 11:42 PM

Calibre can convert from just about anything to just about anything else, but it can't (natively, anyway) remove DRM restrictions (it's not "protection", it's restriction; the only thing it "protects" is publishers' device lock-in). While the folks on MR can't discuss DRM removal for legal reasons, Google is your friend. Or, of course, you can support the companies (Baen, O'Reilly, Smashwords, BeWRite, BVC, etc.) who choose not to lock their books in DRM, which is what I choose to do. My wallet may be tiny, but whatever little vote it has is going to the good guys.

10-03-2010, 08:05 AM	#1
paulcro Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: none (Kindle)	Kindle ebook reader and use of calibre I am a newbie at the ebook world so excuse me if this question has been asked before. Having been looking at the various ebook options - annoying that so many formats are out there - I am favouring the Kindle 3 based on reviews, price and access to the Amazon library which seems the best access to commercially available books. However, it would be nice to be able to convert to Kindle format from epub etc. This is where i think Calibre comes into the picture. From what I can see Calibre does a lovely job of organising your library of ebooks and will allow - if you so wish - to convert an alternate format into the Kindle 3 MOBI format. Do I have the correct impression or is there some glitch I am not seeing that disallows Kindle to read other converted book formats. Would appreciate the experienced wisdom commenting on my new understanding. Thanks

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10-03-2010, 08:12 AM	#2
Manichean Wizard Posts: 3,130 Karma: 91256 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Germany Device: Cybook Gen3	I'm not using a Kindle myself, but from what I gather, all versions are fully supported by Calibre, so you shouldn't have any problems.

10-03-2010, 08:27 AM	#3
Strupniveral Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle 3	I have recently got my Kindle 3 and I'm not facing any issue in using converted MOBI. I saw some minor issue in converting from (simple) PDFs with ToC, page headers/footers, etc., so I assume it would get worse if the PDF become too complex (pages with background images and so on), but I didn't find any issue with ebooks converted from other ebooks formats. HTH

10-03-2010, 10:21 AM	#6
chaley Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,742 Karma: 6997045 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Notts, England Device: Kobo Libra 2	Virtually all books obtained from Amazon are DRM-encumbered. Unless you remove that DRM, such act being a violation of the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act), you cannot convert the book to any other format or read that book on any device but a kindle. DRM is pestilential.

10-03-2010, 10:45 AM	#7
desertgrandma Enjoying the show.... Posts: 14,270 Karma: 10462841 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arizona Device: A K1, Kindle Paperwhite, an Ipod, IPad2, Iphone, an Ipad Mini & macAir	Welcome to MobileRead, paulcro Most books, except public domain books, bought from Amazon are drm'd......you can read them only on your Kindle. If you download the various kindle for pc, mac, phones, etc, they can also be read on those devices. They can't be read on a Sony, or nook. Likewise, books bought from those places can't be read on a Kindle...... All of this is moot if you decide to strip the drm. Then, the books you bought are yours to read whereever and however you like.

10-03-2010, 11:42 AM	#8
ldolse Wizard Posts: 1,337 Karma: 123455 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Malaysia Device: PRS-650, iPhone	The amazon ecosystem can be nice in terms of ease of use, book selection, etc. That said, mobi as a format is not brilliant. It's handling of simple things like variable margins is a complete disaster, one I wasn't aware of until just the other day. Other types of more advanced formatting like floating images, svg, etc just aren't possible with mobi format. Epub doesn't have any of those problems, but having an epub reader may mean that you sometimes need to jump through a few more technical hoops. For myself I use a sony, but buy most of my content through Amazon. This requires downloading to my iphone (though PC users can use Kindle for pc), then strip the DRM so that I can convert to epub using Calibre. I'm quite happy with that process, but admittedly doing all that may not be worth it for the typical user. If I was going to buy a reader for myself tomorrow I'd go with one of the new Sony readers in a heartbeat, but when it comes to recommending for most friends and family I'd probably still recommend the Kindle...

10-03-2010, 11:42 PM	#9
Worldwalker Curmudgeon Posts: 3,085 Karma: 722357 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: PRS-505	Calibre can convert from just about anything to just about anything else, but it can't (natively, anyway) remove DRM restrictions (it's not "protection", it's restriction; the only thing it "protects" is publishers' device lock-in). While the folks on MR can't discuss DRM removal for legal reasons, Google is your friend. Or, of course, you can support the companies (Baen, O'Reilly, Smashwords, BeWRite, BVC, etc.) who choose not to lock their books in DRM, which is what I choose to do. My wallet may be tiny, but whatever little vote it has is going to the good guys.

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