Quote:
Originally Posted by tomereader
Hi mgmueller,
Thanks for this great thread, after reading all 47 pages one thing I didn't see (but then I'm legally blind, so it might have slipped by  is the font size options of your readers, can they all read in something like an 18 pt font without the zooming?
And in my research (links below) some charts imply that some readers can read ade and mobi drm (would like both as main source of books will be public library) but cannot confirm...
Last I notice that some ereaders have mp3 capability but not every ereader with mp3 capability says it plays audiobooks (another public library format) is there a difference?
Thanks for keeping this thread going!
research gathered: C and p charts, comparsons, links
http://docs.google.com/View?id=dg789j94_0fszf4zm4
List of ereaders (about 135)
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?k...en&output=html |
Hi,
I'm glad you enjoy my rambling...
Re. font size: You're right, I've barely mentioned it. Personally, I read in relatively small fonts, that's the reason why I didn't focus on it.
Basically, I see 2 main differences concerning font sizes on the various readers:
a.) Handling. On some readers, it's a pain to change font sizes. Sometimes you have to stumble through 2 sub menus, to find the right configuration.
One of the benchmark units to me is BeBook Neo/Onyx Boox concerning that matter: The 5-way-button consists of 2 rings. The outer one is for the more complex menus. The inner one has some standard configurations: By pressing it up or down you change font size by 1 degree. Just within the respective book, up or down. Can be different for every single book of course.
b.) Available fonts: Only few readers offer a variety of fonts. Some even offer to install your own TT-fonts.
Available font sizes: Some only offer 3 or 5 steps, others offer 10 and more.
It's hard to recommend already. But in general, concerning fonts, I recommend taking a look at PocketBook 360, Cybook Opus and BeBook Neo/Onyx Boox (same hardware, interchangeable firmware).
Concerning ADE and Mobipocket
Due to legal reasons/copyright-licensing issues it's not possible, to have DRM (copy protection = Digital Right Management) for both on the same reader/firmware.
You either can have 2 sets of firmware and flash back and forth on demand, for example on iRex 1000 or the Cybook units.
Or you can have 3rd party modifications, for example the TIRWAL set. Basically, TIRWAL did combine 2 sets of firmware and merge them into his own.
Personally, I've been a fan of Mobipocket and stick to it on iRex 1000 and Cybook Gen3. But it's a dying format, ADE clearly has taken over.
That's probably mainly because of Mobipocket having been acquired by Amazon about 18 months ago. Amazon uses a modification of Mobipocket on Kindle in their proprietary AZW format.
I'd recommend, going for a reader with ADE support. Mobipocket easily can be stripped from DRM and converted to ePUB or any other format, should you own lots of Mobipocket books.
Concerning MP3/audiobooks: I don't have any personal experience in that area. I find the MP3 support of ePaper units basic at best.
My understanding is: There are audiobooks in MP3, for example ripped CDs. Those should be playable on any MP3-capable reader.
But if you purchase audiobooks, usually they have additional features. For example, some years ago I've bought a bunch of audiobooks from Audible for my Pocket PCs. I wouldn't be able to play those on most of my MP3-capable readers as they're copy protected as well and they have different tags.
But there are Audible-compatible units, which explicitly state so.
But quite frankly, I can't recommend it. Even on Sony readers, it's not really fun. I can see myself, listening to MP3s in the background while reading some casual books. But I don't see any argument for listening to Audiobooks on readers. Even when traveling, there's always room for a smartphone or walkman.