Kindle and epub conversion

JxK · 11-06-2012, 09:14 PM

I'm thinking of picking up the $69 kindle. The problem is that all of my books are in (DRM-free) epub. If I use calibre to convert said epubs to mobi, how good is the conversion process? I'd just hate to have an ereader that is incompatible with my entire collection. Does anyone here have experience with such format shifting?

dwig · 11-06-2012, 10:34 PM

I've converted a large number of ePubs to MOBI, most to the older legacy MOBI format, using calibre. In general, the conversions are quite good.

Conversions to the newer MOBI format, properly called "KF8" and compatible with all of the current Kindle models, generally have even fewer issues. Calibre allows you to convert to either version.

AnemicOak · 11-06-2012, 10:45 PM

I've converted 100's of ePub's to read on the Kindle (mainly to the older Mobi format) and everything has gone fine. This is for regular fiction books so I haven't done anything with any kind of complex formatting, but if you convert to KF8 even more complex formatting should come through OK from what I've read.

Blossom · 11-06-2012, 11:00 PM

I do this all the time. If you convert to old mobi you may lose some not important formatting but on most books it's not a big issue and you can't really tell.

If you convert to KF8 it's pretty much looks the same. KF8 is Amazon's version of epub.

If you get one make sure to get the new black K4. It's much better than last year's with better contrast and lighter screen.

nicepal · 11-07-2012, 05:06 AM

how about using the feature "email to your kindle"? I am sure that Amazon helps to convert over to kindle format FOC at no cost.

shanghaichica · 11-07-2012, 05:16 AM

epub to kindle format goes well in calibre in my experience but mobi to epub is a bit more tricky and doesn't work as well off the bat.

Blossom · 11-07-2012, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shanghaichica

epub to kindle format goes well in calibre in my experience but mobi to epub is a bit more tricky and doesn't work as well off the bat.

I convert to epub all the time from mobi. I've never had an issue. I have had issues getting the navigation on a mobi to work when converting from epub though.

booklover6 · 11-07-2012, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicepal

how about using the feature "email to your kindle"? I am sure that Amazon helps to convert over to kindle format FOC at no cost.

Yes that works for non drm content but NOT for epub books. And if you are particular about how yoru document looks, you will not want to do it that way, because you can't check it first.

mncowboy · 11-07-2012, 07:44 AM

I have used both Calibre and Kindle Previewer to convert from epub to mobi, and I use Kindle Previewer exclusively now. Just seems to work better.

SusanM · 11-07-2012, 05:07 PM

Just downloaded the updated Kingle Previewer. Menu has changed considerably with dropdown having eInk, KF8 and Kindle for IOS

JxK · 11-11-2012, 05:21 PM

Thanks for all the replies. Just one more question then.

It sounds like epub to mobi works well for most everyone. But what about the reverse? I'd still want to keep a DRM-free epub backup of whatever I purchase from the kindle store. Is that conversion also generally successful? And is calibre still the best method for doing said conversion?

vxf · 11-11-2012, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JxK

Thanks for all the replies. Just one more question then.

It sounds like epub to mobi works well for most everyone. But what about the reverse? I'd still want to keep a DRM-free epub backup of whatever I purchase from the kindle store. Is that conversion also generally successful? And is calibre still the best method for doing said conversion?

I use calibre and I have never noticed any problems - converting in either direction.
Then again, I am not 'too picky' with the formatting of ebooks. But no weird characters, paragraph issues, or anything of the sorts, as far as I can tell.
I have all my books on both Kindle and SONY readers - so they are all converted in one direction or the other, depending on the purchase. Never had any noticeable problems.

I am not sure whether there are other, better, pieces of software. Calibre seems good enough to me...

Blossom · 11-11-2012, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JxK

Thanks for all the replies. Just one more question then.

It sounds like epub to mobi works well for most everyone. But what about the reverse? I'd still want to keep a DRM-free epub backup of whatever I purchase from the kindle store. Is that conversion also generally successful? And is calibre still the best method for doing said conversion?

Yep I keep a epub and mobi version of all my books. I convert to epub from mobi all the time. It always turns out fine. KF8 to epub is even better because the formatting is so similar. You will find almost all Amazon Kindle books are KF8 these days. I own Kindles and Tablets with epub app so I have the best of both worlds!

There's a plugin called mobi unpack that extracts the epub from a KF8 without converting. It works great if the publisher made the Kindle book right.

11-06-2012, 09:14 PM	#1
JxK Enthusiast Posts: 45 Karma: 866238 Join Date: Nov 2011 Device: Kindle PW, NC CM 7.2	Kindle and epub conversion I'm thinking of picking up the $69 kindle. The problem is that all of my books are in (DRM-free) epub. If I use calibre to convert said epubs to mobi, how good is the conversion process? I'd just hate to have an ereader that is incompatible with my entire collection. Does anyone here have experience with such format shifting?

11-06-2012, 10:34 PM	#2
dwig Guru Posts: 890 Karma: 1089705 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Paradise (Key West, FL) Device: Current:Kindle 3/WiFi Retired:Clie - UX50, T415, ...	I've converted a large number of ePubs to MOBI, most to the older legacy MOBI format, using calibre. In general, the conversions are quite good. Conversions to the newer MOBI format, properly called "KF8" and compatible with all of the current Kindle models, generally have even fewer issues. Calibre allows you to convert to either version. __________________ ----- dwig

11-06-2012, 10:45 PM	#3
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 7,389 Karma: 18766781 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: AuraHD, Nook HD+, Kindle 2,3,T , Opus, TF101, Nexus7, iPT, iPhone5	I've converted 100's of ePub's to read on the Kindle (mainly to the older Mobi format) and everything has gone fine. This is for regular fiction books so I haven't done anything with any kind of complex formatting, but if you convert to KF8 even more complex formatting should come through OK from what I've read. __________________ ~Brian "The test of any good fiction is that you should care something for the characters; the good to succeed, the bad to fail. The trouble with most fiction is that you want them all to land in hell together, as quickly as possible." — Mark Twain

11-07-2012, 05:16 AM	#6
shanghaichica Guru Posts: 630 Karma: 1171638 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Kindle Paperwhite,Nook,ipad mini,galaxy tab,Galaxy note,ipod touch 5	epub to kindle format goes well in calibre in my experience but mobi to epub is a bit more tricky and doesn't work as well off the bat. __________________ For the Nostalgia if Nothing else

11-07-2012, 07:44 AM	#9
mncowboy Wanderer Posts: 91 Karma: 472218 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Kindle 3	I have used both Calibre and Kindle Previewer to convert from epub to mobi, and I use Kindle Previewer exclusively now. Just seems to work better. __________________ The Journey IS The Destination - please visit www.TravelOffThePath.com

11-06-2012, 11:00 PM	#4
Blossom Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,720 Karma: 4481274 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Eastern TN Device: PW/K4B/K4S/K3+3G KFire/SGP 5.0/LG Vortex	I do this all the time. If you convert to old mobi you may lose some not important formatting but on most books it's not a big issue and you can't really tell. If you convert to KF8 it's pretty much looks the same. KF8 is Amazon's version of epub. If you get one make sure to get the new black K4. It's much better than last year's with better contrast and lighter screen.

11-07-2012, 05:06 AM	#5
nicepal Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2012 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	how about using the feature "email to your kindle"? I am sure that Amazon helps to convert over to kindle format FOC at no cost.

11-07-2012, 05:07 PM	#10
SusanM Bemused by possibilities Posts: 54 Karma: 480244 Join Date: Jul 2012 Device: iPad3, Kobo	Just downloaded the updated Kingle Previewer. Menu has changed considerably with dropdown having eInk, KF8 and Kindle for IOS

11-11-2012, 05:21 PM	#11
JxK Enthusiast Posts: 45 Karma: 866238 Join Date: Nov 2011 Device: Kindle PW, NC CM 7.2	Thanks for all the replies. Just one more question then. It sounds like epub to mobi works well for most everyone. But what about the reverse? I'd still want to keep a DRM-free epub backup of whatever I purchase from the kindle store. Is that conversion also generally successful? And is calibre still the best method for doing said conversion?

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