05-27-2011, 09:41 PM | #1 | |
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Nook STR Not supporting eReader PDB files?
So I just pre-orded the new Nook. After placing my order I decided to look at the specs. I noticed that under the support formats eReader PDB is not listed. B&N is saying it only supports EPUB and PDF.
I've sent the following email to B&N asking for clarification about B&N sold eReader PDB files. Quote:
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05-27-2011, 09:46 PM | #2 |
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I didn't know they were still selling books in eReader/PDB. Pretty sure the 'touch' won't support it as the reader appears similar to the 'color' (like maybe they're using the same software) and that doesn't support them.
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05-27-2011, 09:52 PM | #3 |
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Yep. They still are.
So I'm buying a device from B&N that can't read books sold by B&N... |
05-27-2011, 10:01 PM | #4 |
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05-27-2011, 10:48 PM | #5 |
Sir Penguin of Edinburgh
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Here's what I was told at the press conference:
If B&N sell it, you will be able to read in on the Nook. |
05-28-2011, 01:12 AM | #6 |
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User_None, are you on a Mac?
As I understand it, B&N is transitioning to EPUB exclusively and anything you previously downloaded as a PDB can be re-downloaded as an EPUB. What I've heard is that if you're downloading to a PC or a Nook, you already get EPUBs automatically. But if you're downloading to a Mac, you will often get PDBs because the old eReader for Mac desktop app sometimes has trouble with EPUBs. (However, now that there's a beta version of Nook for Mac desktop app available, Mac users will probably start getting EPUBs instead of PDBs soon.) To get an EPUB when downloading to a Mac, change the User Agent on your browser to mimic a PC. You can do this in Safari by going to the menu bar, choosing Develop > User Agent, and selecting Firefox for PC or Internet Explorer. I haven't tried this on every single book that B&N sells, of course, but so far, it works for every single book I've bought from them. If you're on a Mac, I'd be interested in knowing if your experience is the same as mine -- i.e., downloading to a Mac results in PDBs, but changing the User Agent to mimic a PC results in EPUBs. Last edited by Jane12; 05-29-2011 at 08:00 PM. Reason: for clarity |
05-28-2011, 09:32 AM | #7 |
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I'm guessing if you bought it on BandN in PDB format, you can probably re-download it in Epub format, either right now, or in the very near future, as they seem to be transitioning to 100% epub.
If all else fails, a quick, easy Calibre convert should do the trick as well. |
05-28-2011, 09:47 AM | #8 |
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nevermind
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05-28-2011, 11:00 AM | #9 |
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Yes I am.
It is. Changing the user agent to IE 8 on Windows and everything downloads as an EPUB. If I don't change my user agent I get PDBs for a large number the titles in my library. |
05-28-2011, 12:06 PM | #10 |
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Yep, I was told by the phone customer service (not 1-800-the book peoples) that PDB is no longer supported. Pretty much everything should be ePub. Unfortunately I don't have a Mac so I can't play around and see what you're seeing. Very very odd.
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05-28-2011, 12:14 PM | #11 |
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Just curious -- is there a problem with losing PDB support if all B&N books can be re-downloaded as EPUBs? Is there an advantage to PDBs I'm not aware of?
Last edited by Jane12; 05-29-2011 at 08:01 PM. |
05-28-2011, 01:25 PM | #12 |
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It's not an issue if I can get the book as an EPUB. However, up until starting this thread I was under the impression that I could only get certain titles as eReader PDB files because that's all B&N would let me download.
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05-28-2011, 02:02 PM | #13 |
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eReader.com PDB files?
Hi!
I have a lot of older eBooks in PDB format tied by ereader.com to my credit card number. Will I be able to read these with my new Nook Simple Touch? Thanks. |
05-28-2011, 03:21 PM | #14 |
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I got a response from B&N on the issue. The new Nook STR will not read eReader PDB files. They have forwarded support for eReader PDB files as a suggestion to "the
individuals responsible for NOOK Books for consideration." |
05-28-2011, 08:35 PM | #15 | |
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Quote:
Yes, there is a problem. Those of us who have troves of books bought through B&N-owned companies like Fictionwise and eReader have no way to read those books on our B&N devices if they ditch PDB. If B&N isn't going to make their wholly-owned subsidiaries switch to EPUB, they really shouldn't be ditching support for PDB. |
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