PRS 600 JUNK - Page 2

farmersteve · 12-29-2009, 05:42 PM

When I posted tyhis rant I really meant it about the poor staff ( training ) at waterstones who should have warned a prospective purchaser to be much more aware of what they need before making a quite expensive buy.
I am fully prepared to believe that if we could log on to sony website it may work fine. I have though just been warned by Sony that it may be days (weeks perhaps) before this is possible.
This does not excuse the staff at waterstones selling an Eboook under false pretences and as such they should have promptly offered to refund the book It would have reinforced my confidence in them.
They must have sold a lot of these at Christmas time and I am certain there are many out there who will be feeling very disappointed with their gift, I know from the reaction in the shop that I was far from the first to have tried to take one back
I think Sony will have a lot of work making up the ill will this will generate no matter how good the product is.
The issue of the backlight is not a major issue but seeing the common sense in being able to read in places while not causing annoyance to other people is one whicxh I would have thought would have been a major selling point and I think from these threads that other models do have them
The issue of not causing eye strain with them is I think fascetious surely they could have adjustable back lighting so in bright light you could just turn it off

daffy4u · 12-29-2009, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farmersteve

The issue of not causing eye strain with them is I think fascetious surely they could have adjustable back lighting so in bright light you could just turn it off

It really isn't facetious, e-ink, for the majority is much easier on the eyes than LCD. Also, e-ink screens are opaque, so it is not possible to back light them. The Sony 700 had side lighting to work around this issue. Some folks like the side lights, some don't.

omk3 · 12-29-2009, 06:03 PM

No e-ink reader has backlight as far as I know - the sony prs-700 had some in-built screen lighting but the reviews were mostly negative. The special thing about e-ink screens is that they are easy on the eyes, as a paper book is, and don't cause eyestrain like backlit screens (like for example computer screens). As you use a light to read a paper book, so you use a light to read on an e-ink device. Special book-lights can help you with that if you don't want to use ambient lighting.

Now, I can understand your annoyance with waterstones, and it may be that the reader (or any reader at the moment) does not suit your needs. But since you already have it, you might see past your rage and give it a try. Most of us here love our readers, and it's not because any store tried to deceive us.

I don't understand why it may be days or weeks before you can log on to sony website as you say. But you can start using your device by downloading some of the free ebooks in epub format we have on this site. Feel free to ask specific questions to specific problems you may encounter. Whatever it is, someone in here is bound to know the answer.

Mickey330 · 12-29-2009, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by defizr

I've just bought a PRS-300. I downloaded the library reader software and used it to register my reader on the Sony site. When I registered I was offered 125 free classic books in a batch of 100 and a batch of 25. Perhaps you could try the same?

See, now this was cool. I live in the USA. But, I went to the Sony UK website (http://www.sony.co.uk/hub/reader-ebook - the link to the free books is on the lower RH side of the page) and I was able to register my PRS-600, with my USA address, and the site allowed me to download the 125 classic books.

I know, I know, they are available elsewhere. But, to have 'em handy like this was nice too. Easy enough download (they are .zip files) and Calibre put them right in.

So, thank you, defizr, for mentioning the Sony.uk site.

And, I am sorry, FarmerSteve, that you had troubles with Waterstones being confused about what was available ON the Sony they had for sale. But - give the reader another shot, especially with the availability of the free books out there. It is a bit of a learning curve, understanding HOW to get books on the readers ... but they are so NICE to use!

Happy reading!

Marilyn

farmersteve · 12-30-2009, 03:21 AM

Thanks for all the great advice I have had from this site
It has always been my intention to have one of these devices
I was unawre that you can download anything to it without the software. This is not apparent fromn the easy start booklet whyich comes with the Ebook. I have downloaded the full 250 page manual but have not had the time to go through the finer details yet.
People have mentioned the American site having problems and getting through on the English one strangely my Ebook bought in England seems to be trying to download from the American site. It may have something to do with I believe that it was sourced from Canada, from the packaging and labelling. I may be wrong on this though
As I have had a communication from Sony I will wait to see if they come back to me (after a rather strong Email from me)
I am interested in the comments about the screen technology I was unaware about the lack of possibility of fitting a backlight. What does everyone think about the clip on lights

Rumpelteazer · 12-30-2009, 03:43 AM

Have you set your location in the Reader Library correctly? It sounds as if it's set to US instead of UK. To change it open the Reader Library software then click 'edit' in the menu and choose 'Preferences' and there you can set your region.

For transferring free books you've downloaded from here or other sites you can use Calibre, a forum for this program can be found on this site.

Good luck!

Solicitous · 12-30-2009, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Unless it was faulty, you don't have a right to return it, and I don't believe it is faulty, is it? You do if you buy on-line, but not if you buy in person.

Serious? Here in Australia a consumer is able to return goods for a full refund under the Trade Practices Act if the goods purchased and received were not what was advertised and purchased. So if that PRS-600 was sold here in Aus the OP could go back to the store and get either (a) a replacement PRS-600 with 100 books as they were lead to believe at time or purchase, or (b) full refund.

HarryT · 12-30-2009, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solicitous

Serious? Here in Australia a consumer is able to return goods for a full refund under the Trade Practices Act if the goods purchased and received were not what was advertised and purchased. So if that PRS-600 was sold here in Aus the OP could go back to the store and get either (a) a replacement PRS-600 with 100 books as they were lead to believe at time or purchase, or (b) full refund.

But the information was correct - you can go to the Sony UK web site and download 125 free books. Unless the advert specifically said that the books were preloaded on the device, then you really don't have a leg to stand on.

Yes, the "Trades Descriptions Act" says the goods have to be as described, fit for purpose, etc, etc, but there does not appear to be any obvious breach of that here.

Solicitous · 12-30-2009, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

But the information was correct - you can go to the Sony UK web site and download 125 free books. Unless the advert specifically said that the books were preloaded on the device, then you really don't have a leg to stand on.

Yes, the "Trades Descriptions Act" says the goods have to be as described, fit for purpose, etc, etc, but there does not appear to be any obvious breach of that here.

The OP said that the reader was sold to his wife by sales staff who said that 100 preloaded books were installed, yet they weren't. It isn't Sony's fault, it is Waterstones. IMHO it isn't that big a deal, the staff at Waterstones should just offer to install the free ebooks then and there.

nick101 · 12-30-2009, 04:56 AM

Just as a point of information - the Trades Descriptions Act and the Sales of Goods Act apply to the seller , not the manufacturer. So once again, as many have said, it would be Waterstones who'd be liable. In this case, if W's said that the device had 100 books pre-loaded and it didn't, that's a breach and they'd be liable.

But, under the TDA/SLA, their obligation is to repair, or if that's not possible, to replace, or if that's not possible, to refund.

Repair would mean, as Solicitous said, loading the books for the customer. Which would be hard if the customer was ranting that the reader was junk and that Sony were spawn of the devil and so on. And even harder if said ranting wasn't actually in a branch of W's where someone could deal with the problem

Another approach is to accept the possibility that, shop staff being human and all, they will exhibit the normal range of human foibles, including that of making the occasional mistake. To which a common remedy is an apology, which is often sufficient for those of us that recognise that, especially in the run-up to Christmas, shop working is not a chi-centring laid-back business

HarryT · 12-30-2009, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nick101

Another approach is to accept the possibility that, shop staff being human and all, they will exhibit the normal range of human foibles, including that of making the occasional mistake. To which a common remedy is an apology, which is often sufficient for those of us that recognise that, especially in the run-up to Christmas, shop working is not a chi-centring laid-back business

Wow - radical suggestion!

Yes, of course people make mistakes, and the point here is that the basic information - that you get a shed-load of free classics - was correct, even if you do have to download them yourself.

nick101 · 12-30-2009, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Wow - radical suggestion!

Yeah, I know. Unlikely to catch on, but ...

neilmarr · 12-30-2009, 05:12 AM

I can understand your disappointment, Steve. Technology can be so darned frustrating. My advice, though, would be to give it a little time and have patience enough to ask for advice from the generous experts here. I was ready to trash my Sony in its first week ... now, I can't imagine being without it. I spend hours with it every day and wouldn't dream of resorting to paper or reading on a regular PC or laptop screen. Don't worry about your missing books, either. You can download tens of thousands of free public domain classics from many sources -- including beautifully, painstakingly formatted versions here. And sure there's no backlight: that's the whole idea of e-ink. Most folks here find it a much more comfortable and practical option once they get used to it. Good luck. Neil

NightGeometry · 12-30-2009, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farmersteve

I am interested in the comments about the screen technology I was unaware about the lack of possibility of fitting a backlight. What does everyone think about the clip on lights

I use a clip on light, and my partner uses the same type. We bought both in Waterstones... if you are a bit anti-W at the moment that may not be that useful a thing to say. The ones we have are quite small and they clip onto a case - they aren't specifically ebook reading lights (I also bought one for a friend who just wanted a reading light). They were around £3 I think.

In use - they work. The light is, in my opinion, just too little to fully illuminate the screen. As a workround I attach mine to the side of the reader, and just tilt it if necesary. This isn't perfect, but I don't use it a lot, so it doesn't bother me, that is just me though. Interestingly my partner uses hers a lot, has pretty much the same experience, but it doesn't seem to bother her at all. Each to their own, I guess.

K8Ereader · 12-30-2009, 06:10 AM

That's what I did, but the Project Gutenberg titles were easier to access than the Sony free 100, which are dependent on the Sony download speed (SLOOOOOOW). Oh and I'm loading through Calibre now which suits my level of incompetence better then the Sony Library.
I'm enjoying the reading experience though, and using a clip on mighty bright, can read in bed without disturbing DH too much.

12-30-2009, 04:56 AM	#25
nick101 Groupie Posts: 190 Karma: 1248 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Milton Keynes UK Device: Sony PRS-600 Touch, iPhone	Just as a point of information - the Trades Descriptions Act and the Sales of Goods Act apply to the seller , not the manufacturer. So once again, as many have said, it would be Waterstones who'd be liable. In this case, if W's said that the device had 100 books pre-loaded and it didn't, that's a breach and they'd be liable. But, under the TDA/SLA, their obligation is to repair, or if that's not possible, to replace, or if that's not possible, to refund. Repair would mean, as Solicitous said, loading the books for the customer. Which would be hard if the customer was ranting that the reader was junk and that Sony were spawn of the devil and so on. And even harder if said ranting wasn't actually in a branch of W's where someone could deal with the problem Another approach is to accept the possibility that, shop staff being human and all, they will exhibit the normal range of human foibles, including that of making the occasional mistake. To which a common remedy is an apology, which is often sufficient for those of us that recognise that, especially in the run-up to Christmas, shop working is not a chi-centring laid-back business Last edited by nick101; 12-30-2009 at 05:57 AM. Reason: Corrected some terminology

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12-29-2009, 05:42 PM	#16
farmersteve Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: PRS 600	When I posted tyhis rant I really meant it about the poor staff ( training ) at waterstones who should have warned a prospective purchaser to be much more aware of what they need before making a quite expensive buy. I am fully prepared to believe that if we could log on to sony website it may work fine. I have though just been warned by Sony that it may be days (weeks perhaps) before this is possible. This does not excuse the staff at waterstones selling an Eboook under false pretences and as such they should have promptly offered to refund the book It would have reinforced my confidence in them. They must have sold a lot of these at Christmas time and I am certain there are many out there who will be feeling very disappointed with their gift, I know from the reaction in the shop that I was far from the first to have tried to take one back I think Sony will have a lot of work making up the ill will this will generate no matter how good the product is. The issue of the backlight is not a major issue but seeing the common sense in being able to read in places while not causing annoyance to other people is one whicxh I would have thought would have been a major selling point and I think from these threads that other models do have them The issue of not causing eye strain with them is I think fascetious surely they could have adjustable back lighting so in bright light you could just turn it off

12-29-2009, 06:03 PM	#18
omk3 Wizard Posts: 1,454 Karma: 37243 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Europe Device: pocketbook 360, kindle 4	No e-ink reader has backlight as far as I know - the sony prs-700 had some in-built screen lighting but the reviews were mostly negative. The special thing about e-ink screens is that they are easy on the eyes, as a paper book is, and don't cause eyestrain like backlit screens (like for example computer screens). As you use a light to read a paper book, so you use a light to read on an e-ink device. Special book-lights can help you with that if you don't want to use ambient lighting. Now, I can understand your annoyance with waterstones, and it may be that the reader (or any reader at the moment) does not suit your needs. But since you already have it, you might see past your rage and give it a try. Most of us here love our readers, and it's not because any store tried to deceive us. I don't understand why it may be days or weeks before you can log on to sony website as you say. But you can start using your device by downloading some of the free ebooks in epub format we have on this site. Feel free to ask specific questions to specific problems you may encounter. Whatever it is, someone in here is bound to know the answer.

12-30-2009, 03:21 AM	#20
farmersteve Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: PRS 600	Thanks for all the great advice I have had from this site It has always been my intention to have one of these devices I was unawre that you can download anything to it without the software. This is not apparent fromn the easy start booklet whyich comes with the Ebook. I have downloaded the full 250 page manual but have not had the time to go through the finer details yet. People have mentioned the American site having problems and getting through on the English one strangely my Ebook bought in England seems to be trying to download from the American site. It may have something to do with I believe that it was sourced from Canada, from the packaging and labelling. I may be wrong on this though As I have had a communication from Sony I will wait to see if they come back to me (after a rather strong Email from me) I am interested in the comments about the screen technology I was unaware about the lack of possibility of fitting a backlight. What does everyone think about the clip on lights

12-30-2009, 03:43 AM	#21
Rumpelteazer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,112 Karma: 24047426 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Utrecht, the Netherlands Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition	Have you set your location in the Reader Library correctly? It sounds as if it's set to US instead of UK. To change it open the Reader Library software then click 'edit' in the menu and choose 'Preferences' and there you can set your region. For transferring free books you've downloaded from here or other sites you can use Calibre, a forum for this program can be found on this site. Good luck!

12-30-2009, 05:12 AM	#28
neilmarr neilmarr Posts: 7,216 Karma: 6000059 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Monaco-Menton, France Device: sony	I can understand your disappointment, Steve. Technology can be so darned frustrating. My advice, though, would be to give it a little time and have patience enough to ask for advice from the generous experts here. I was ready to trash my Sony in its first week ... now, I can't imagine being without it. I spend hours with it every day and wouldn't dream of resorting to paper or reading on a regular PC or laptop screen. Don't worry about your missing books, either. You can download tens of thousands of free public domain classics from many sources -- including beautifully, painstakingly formatted versions here. And sure there's no backlight: that's the whole idea of e-ink. Most folks here find it a much more comfortable and practical option once they get used to it. Good luck. Neil

12-30-2009, 06:10 AM	#30
K8Ereader Connoisseur Posts: 63 Karma: 350 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Norfolk UK Device: Sony PRS-600	That's what I did, but the Project Gutenberg titles were easier to access than the Sony free 100, which are dependent on the Sony download speed (SLOOOOOOW). Oh and I'm loading through Calibre now which suits my level of incompetence better then the Sony Library. I'm enjoying the reading experience though, and using a clip on mighty bright, can read in bed without disturbing DH too much.

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