Adobe Digital Editions query

billbirchall · 01-30-2009, 08:55 AM

I do not know whether the problem is me, or the software: Adobe Digital Editions. I have recently paid for and downloaded, No Time to Say Goodbye - Linwood Barclay. It was in pdf format and I had to use Adobe D E to download it to my Sony PRS 505. After downloading I used the font key to enlarge the print.

Two issues arise:-
1) The format is poor, as pages end half way up a page and sometimes in mid-sentence. The authors name is irritatingly,liberally sprinkled, at the top or bottom of many pages.

2) When changing the font size you do not change the numerical number of pages just the number of page turns. There are just more pages with the same number.

Perfection would be, to be able to read the ebook as you would a normal paper book, with proper endings to chapters and no excessive views of the name of the author. Is this obtainable and I am just not experiencing it for some reason, or is it with the current plethora of formats, a pipe-dream? If I can change any of what I have described, can someone let me know how to do it?

Steven Lyle Jordan · 01-30-2009, 09:28 AM

This sounds like some of the familiar problems with re-rendering PDF files for screens that do not match them. Assuming the PDF is tagged, you'd think DE would do better. You might want to mention this to the publisher, they may not be aware, or if they are, maybe they can make some recommendations as to what you can do to get a better experience out of the file.

AnemicOak · 01-30-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billbirchall

I do not know whether the problem is me, or the software: Adobe Digital Editions. I have recently paid for and downloaded, No Time to Say Goodbye - Linwood Barclay. It was in pdf format and I had to use Adobe D E to download it to my Sony PRS 505. After downloading I used the font key to enlarge the print.

Two issues arise:-
1) The format is poor, as pages end half way up a page and sometimes in mid-sentence. The authors name is irritatingly,liberally sprinkled, at the top or bottom of many pages.

2) When changing the font size you do not change the numerical number of pages just the number of page turns. There are just more pages with the same number.

Perfection would be, to be able to read the ebook as you would a normal paper book, with proper endings to chapters and no excessive views of the name of the author. Is this obtainable and I am just not experiencing it for some reason, or is it with the current plethora of formats, a pipe-dream? If I can change any of what I have described, can someone let me know how to do it?

I tried a few PDF's on my 505 when the new firmware came out and all of them displayed just like you describe.

wallcraft · 01-30-2009, 10:40 AM

What you are describing is normal for A4/letter sized PDFs on the PRS-505. Adobe Digital Editions only reflows within each individual page. So the same headers and footers and page breaks are there as in the original, and you can often get partial screens at the end of a page. This is a design choice by Adobe, they did not have to implement reflow this way. However, since the ebook has DRM you have no choice but to use ADE to display it.

One work around is to buy Secure Adobe ePub instead when it is available. However, not all publishers even tell you whether an Adobe ebook is PDF or ePub.

If you are willing to strip DRM, another option is to buy MS Reader (LIT) or MOBI or eReader ebooks. Strip the DRM and then use Calibre to convert to LRF or ePub. Note that stripping DRM, even for personal use on ebooks you bought, is thought to be illegal in some countries. All three of these formats are intrinsically reflowable. LIT is the closest to ePub, but requires a Windows PC to download.

pilotbob · 01-30-2009, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billbirchall

1) The format is poor, as pages end half way up a page and sometimes in mid-sentence. The authors name is irritatingly,liberally sprinkled, at the top or bottom of many pages.

2) When changing the font size you do not change the numerical number of pages just the number of page turns. There are just more pages with the same number.

Ah the joy of PDF.

1. The "page" doesn't end in the middle the SCREEN ends in the middle. Basically one PDF "page" reflowed might be a page and a half. Also, headers and footers on the PDF "page" will display inline wherever they are.

2. Same issues. It is just showing the PDF "page" numbers... it is not interpolating them to "screen" numbers.

This is why most prefer ePub or LRF on the Sony. You can buy LIT or Mobipocket format if ePub isn't available and you will get much better results. Also, avoiding Adobe secure format since the DRM can not be removed.

BOb

Ordinaryuser · 01-30-2009, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billbirchall

I do not know whether the problem is me, or the software: Adobe Digital Editions. I have recently paid for and downloaded, No Time to Say Goodbye - Linwood Barclay. It was in pdf format and I had to use Adobe D E to download it to my Sony PRS 505. After downloading I used the font key to enlarge the print.

Two issues arise:-
1) The format is poor, as pages end half way up a page and sometimes in mid-sentence. The authors name is irritatingly,liberally sprinkled, at the top or bottom of many pages.

2) When changing the font size you do not change the numerical number of pages just the number of page turns. There are just more pages with the same number.

Perfection would be, to be able to read the ebook as you would a normal paper book, with proper endings to chapters and no excessive views of the name of the author. Is this obtainable and I am just not experiencing it for some reason, or is it with the current plethora of formats, a pipe-dream? If I can change any of what I have described, can someone let me know how to do it?

I have found the same issues, however, the opportunity for reading a free library book seems to outweigh the disadvantages. Hard to beat the price.

billbirchall · 01-31-2009, 02:34 PM

Hi Guys
Thanks for your input, I am relieved to hear that it is a recognised issue and not something due to me. I agree that using ePub would be a better choice, but you do not always get one.

Ordinaryuser, Your comment is obviously correct, but I should point out, that I have paid for my book, and therefore my expectations are higher.

01-30-2009, 08:55 AM	#1
billbirchall Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 374 Join Date: Aug 2008 Device: Sony E-Reader	Adobe Digital Editions query I do not know whether the problem is me, or the software: Adobe Digital Editions. I have recently paid for and downloaded, No Time to Say Goodbye - Linwood Barclay. It was in pdf format and I had to use Adobe D E to download it to my Sony PRS 505. After downloading I used the font key to enlarge the print. Two issues arise:- 1) The format is poor, as pages end half way up a page and sometimes in mid-sentence. The authors name is irritatingly,liberally sprinkled, at the top or bottom of many pages. 2) When changing the font size you do not change the numerical number of pages just the number of page turns. There are just more pages with the same number. Perfection would be, to be able to read the ebook as you would a normal paper book, with proper endings to chapters and no excessive views of the name of the author. Is this obtainable and I am just not experiencing it for some reason, or is it with the current plethora of formats, a pipe-dream? If I can change any of what I have described, can someone let me know how to do it?

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01-30-2009, 09:28 AM	#2
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	This sounds like some of the familiar problems with re-rendering PDF files for screens that do not match them. Assuming the PDF is tagged, you'd think DE would do better. You might want to mention this to the publisher, they may not be aware, or if they are, maybe they can make some recommendations as to what you can do to get a better experience out of the file.

01-30-2009, 10:40 AM	#4
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	What you are describing is normal for A4/letter sized PDFs on the PRS-505. Adobe Digital Editions only reflows within each individual page. So the same headers and footers and page breaks are there as in the original, and you can often get partial screens at the end of a page. This is a design choice by Adobe, they did not have to implement reflow this way. However, since the ebook has DRM you have no choice but to use ADE to display it. One work around is to buy Secure Adobe ePub instead when it is available. However, not all publishers even tell you whether an Adobe ebook is PDF or ePub. If you are willing to strip DRM, another option is to buy MS Reader (LIT) or MOBI or eReader ebooks. Strip the DRM and then use Calibre to convert to LRF or ePub. Note that stripping DRM, even for personal use on ebooks you bought, is thought to be illegal in some countries. All three of these formats are intrinsically reflowable. LIT is the closest to ePub, but requires a Windows PC to download.

01-31-2009, 02:34 PM	#7
billbirchall Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 374 Join Date: Aug 2008 Device: Sony E-Reader	Hi Guys Thanks for your input, I am relieved to hear that it is a recognised issue and not something due to me. I agree that using ePub would be a better choice, but you do not always get one. Ordinaryuser, Your comment is obviously correct, but I should point out, that I have paid for my book, and therefore my expectations are higher.

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