Query about kindle touch TOC problems

[dirtyvectors]

Hi,

I've been using calibre for a while to create reasonably basic epubs for ipad/other readers and mobi files for kindle. I convert from indesign to get my epub, then edit the css and general other bits and bobs to get the correct formatting and appearance that I'm looking for, then if I need to I'll convert to mobi.

Up until now everything has worked fine, but I've just run into a problem with a new book I've converted for mobi output.

The problem is that the TOC is not multi-level when viewed on the kindle touch.

It works fine on calibre's epub view, and the calibre kindle view, as well as when I look at the file on amazon's kindle viewer which claims to be previewing as a kindle touch. It even works as a multi level TOC on the normal kindle keyboard.

But When it is loaded onto the kindle touch, the TOC becomes a long list of non indented chapters.

Has anyone run into this problem or can anyone think of a reason why this would happen?

Any help would be appreciated,
Lon

[kovidgoyal]

Sounds like a bug int he touch firmware, I suggest you convert to azw3 instead, to workaround the bug.

[dirtyvectors]

Hi Kovid,

Thanks for your instant reply, that's what I thought may be the case but wondered if anyone else had experienced this – Also thanks for all your great work on calibre, it's fantastic.

I know this may be going beyond your normal area of expertise but how will that work in regard to using the resulting file – can I upload the azw3 file to amazon, and onto the kindle touch directly in the same way as a mobi file?

Should I do a straight conversion from the epub to azw3? and do I need to fiddle with anything more on the TOC conversion options or leave them as they are when they normally work?

Thanks again,
Lon Chan

[kovidgoyal]

I have no idea about amazon uploading, as for conversion options, they remain the same.

[dirtyvectors]

Hi Kovid,

Thanks for that, it seems to be working fine now, the azw3 works with the proper TOC levels on the kindle touch, and I guess amazon will convert down to send out to older kindle models.

Thanks for your help!
Lon

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by dirtyvectors

, and I guess amazon will convert down to send out to older kindle models.

Actually, I suspect that your book simply won't be available to older Kindle devices/owners if you're only uploading the stand-alone AZW3 (KF8) format. I'm pretty sure they need the source and/or a combined MOBI/KF8 file to ensure delivery/functionality across the entire range of Kindle devices.

[dirtyvectors]

Hi DiapDealer,

Thanks for your input, thought I had this sorted!

So how do I go about getting the azw3 file to be a combined mobi/KF8 file that works with the kindle touch properly?

Any help would be appreciated,
Lon

[DiapDealer]

So how do I go about getting the azw3 file to be a combined mobi/KF8 file that works with the kindle touch properly?

If your book has no absolute need for features provided by the KF8 format... then simply upload a plain-jane MOBI. That will work across all devices/apps.

If you don't care about older devices, then upload the stand-alone AZW3.

If there's something in the KF8 format that your book will specifically benefit from, then upload the combined MOBI/KF8 that's produced by: A) kindlegen/previewer or B) use the calibre plugin tweak to produce an experimental combination file:

calibre can now generate Amazon's new KF8 format MOBI files. To turn on this feature, go to Preferences->Tweaks and click Plugin Tweaks. In the box add: test_mobi_output_type = 'both' calibre will now produce MOBI files that have both the old MOBI format and the new KF8 format in them. To learn more about KF8, see: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=1000729511 Note that calibre support for KF8 is still experimental and there will likely be bugs.

With the combined file, Amazon can deliver whichever format it needs to whichever device/app—depending on the device/app's capabilities.

[dirtyvectors]

Thanks for that, I needed the simple step instructions to sort out that plugin – that has created the perfect file, a mobi that keeps the ncx format from the azw3 file so that the Kindle Touch will show a multilevel TOC!

Thanks all!
Lon