Problem converting txt to mobi

toby39 · 09-03-2010, 05:21 AM

I convert txt to mobi with calibre using the output setting for Kindle. When I open these files on my Kindle 3 instead of " and ' etc. I only get squares.

Can anyone help me with this?

GeoffC · 09-03-2010, 05:51 AM

I don't know enough about this, but have you had a look at the txt input options on the Calibre conversion tab ?

The only thing I can wonder is, what happens in the conversion when you check the 'Process through markdown' .

[but I could be barking up the wrong tree !]

edit : second thought, what does your resultant 'mobi' file look like in the Calibre viewer ?

chaley · 09-03-2010, 06:47 AM

My guess is that your document contains smart quotes.Try playing with the 'Input character encoding' (in preferences) -- in particular, try 'cp1252'. Also try checking the box Transliterate unicode characters to ASCII.

toby39 · 09-03-2010, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaley

My guess is that your document contains smart quotes.Try playing with the 'Input character encoding' (in preferences) -- in particular, try 'cp1252'. Also try checking the box Transliterate unicode characters to ASCII.

I tried with ASCII which resulted in no special characters at all (no ", ', :, ?)

When I view the mobi file with calibre viewer its � instead of " and '.

chaley · 09-03-2010, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toby39

I tried with ASCII which resulted in no special characters at all (no ", ', :, ?)

What do you mean? Did you type ASCII into the Input character encoding box, or do something else?

Did you try cp1252?

Quote:

When I view the mobi file with calibre viewer its � instead of " and '.

That is a very strong indication of a character set problem.

GeoffC · 09-03-2010, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaley

That is a very strong indication of a character set problem.

yep .....

As an alternative you could drop the txt into Sigil and create an epub from that. Calibre will give a decent mobi from the result if needed.

toby39 · 09-04-2010, 03:48 PM

I will try as you said, I'm sorry I can't explain it any better, English is not my first language.

EAT: I'm sorry but I can't find anyting with cp1252 in the calibre preferences. Under TXT Input only have 5 options, none of them are related to my issue. Could you pleas point me in the right direction again, thanks!

Starson17 · 09-04-2010, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toby39

I'm sorry but I can't find anyting with cp1252 in the calibre preferences. Under TXT Input only have 5 options, none of them are related to my issue. Could you pleas point me in the right direction again, thanks!

Under "Look & Feel" in the "Input character encoding" box enter "cp1252"

toby39 · 09-04-2010, 04:24 PM

So I tired cp1252 but i still get � instead of "/'. Is there something like a list with these caracter encodings I could try? Because whatever options I try I either have strange symbols or none at all, which makes reading dialogues pretty hard. Thanks for your help.

chaley · 09-04-2010, 04:54 PM

Look at this post: http://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...52#post1085147

and this post: http://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...252#post989117

Also make sure you don't have the transliterate unicode to ascii box checked.

toby39 · 09-05-2010, 02:16 PM

Thank you all for your help, depending on the input file, i have to change the input character encoding, but so far i mostly worked.

09-03-2010, 05:21 AM	#1
toby39 Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kindle 3	Problem converting txt to mobi I convert txt to mobi with calibre using the output setting for Kindle. When I open these files on my Kindle 3 instead of " and ' etc. I only get squares. Can anyone help me with this?

09-03-2010, 05:51 AM	#2
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 26,684 Karma: 16550486 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	I don't know enough about this, but have you had a look at the txt input options on the Calibre conversion tab ? The only thing I can wonder is, what happens in the conversion when you check the 'Process through markdown' . [but I could be barking up the wrong tree !] edit : second thought, what does your resultant 'mobi' file look like in the Calibre viewer ? __________________ > My Cats Last edited by GeoffC; 09-03-2010 at 05:54 AM.

09-03-2010, 06:47 AM	#3
chaley Wizard Posts: 3,849 Karma: 285886 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: France Device: Sony PRS-300, HTC WM6.5, Samsung Galaxy Nexus, HTC Sensation	My guess is that your document contains smart quotes.Try playing with the 'Input character encoding' (in preferences) -- in particular, try 'cp1252'. Also try checking the box Transliterate unicode characters to ASCII. __________________ Support calibre developers at no cost to you by using calibre's get books feature. Use Calibre Companion to wirelessly connect your Android phone or tablet to calibre charles.haleys.org/calibre

09-04-2010, 03:48 PM	#7
toby39 Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kindle 3	I will try as you said, I'm sorry I can't explain it any better, English is not my first language. EAT: I'm sorry but I can't find anyting with cp1252 in the calibre preferences. Under TXT Input only have 5 options, none of them are related to my issue. Could you pleas point me in the right direction again, thanks! Last edited by toby39; 09-04-2010 at 03:53 PM.

09-04-2010, 04:54 PM	#10
chaley Wizard Posts: 3,849 Karma: 285886 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: France Device: Sony PRS-300, HTC WM6.5, Samsung Galaxy Nexus, HTC Sensation	Look at this post: http://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...52#post1085147 and this post: http://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...252#post989117 Also make sure you don't have the transliterate unicode to ascii box checked. __________________ Support calibre developers at no cost to you by using calibre's get books feature. Use Calibre Companion to wirelessly connect your Android phone or tablet to calibre charles.haleys.org/calibre

09-04-2010, 04:24 PM	#9
toby39 Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kindle 3	So I tired cp1252 but i still get � instead of "/'. Is there something like a list with these caracter encodings I could try? Because whatever options I try I either have strange symbols or none at all, which makes reading dialogues pretty hard. Thanks for your help.

09-05-2010, 02:16 PM	#11
toby39 Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kindle 3	Thank you all for your help, depending on the input file, i have to change the input character encoding, but so far i mostly worked.

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