Thread: Sony PRS-505 Reader: Review for Techies
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Old 12-05-2007, 08:06 PM   #4
Xenophon
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Posts: 1,487
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Redwood City, CA USA
Device: Kobo Aura HD, (ex)nook, (ex)PRS-700, (ex)PRS-500
Quote:
Originally Posted by recycledelectron View Post
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3. Supported Formats (w/o conversion software)
* Audio: .MP3, (and .AAC w/o DRM?)
* Books: .PDF (but this looks really small), .TXT, .RTF, (and LRF?)
* Images: .JPEG, .GIF, .PNG, .BMP
* You can convert from other formats, such as MS Word .DOC, .LIT, .HTM/.HTML, .CBZ,. .CBR, & RSS using 3rd party software. Sony claims that their software converts from .DOC to .RTF, but that's only if you have MS Word installed. (that reminds me of the claim that diet & exercise, with my "amazing weight loss crystal hat" will make you loose weight.)
* The best way to go is to use your software to convert anything to .RTF (text only) or to .PDF (text & graphics.) With PDF printer utilites (like Adobe's Distiller, or many free clones) you should be able to get anything onto the Sony PRS-505 Reader.

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* The included software might let you create "Collections" but I have no interested in putting that CD in my machine and being root-kitted BMG music style. I only use the SD card to transfer files.

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9. Annoying "Features"

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* Slow: This thing can take several seconds to boot up. Page flips take several seconds. Even hitting a button can show no response for a second.
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11. Things I need to research

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* Will it let me charge via DC power jack while reading? If so, can I build a battery pack that fits on the back?

Andy
.lrf is the extension for Sony's BBeB format eBooks that are not encrypted; .lrx for the encrypted ones. There are third party tools that produce lrf files (notably Book Designer and libprs500). The Sony readers work more smoothly with lrf files than with txt or rtf or pdf (perhaps unsurprisingly).

As for your 'best way to go' recommendation, I'd suggest that either of the above utilities is likely to result in a better experience than you'll get from pdf or rtf -- assuming, that is, that you have the source to convert from.


Libprs500 can also create collections (which are pretty useful for things like keeping track of the books in a series), so you can use this feature without Sony's software.


The several seconds for page flips is a 'feature' of working with large pdf files. Lrf files are much speedier.

Yes, it will let you read while charging with the DC power jack.

Xenophon
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