MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Libre ebook reader Pro

qtq · 10-27-2009, 09:13 PM

Thanks to Kralik's thread on Chinese firmware woes and redemption. I got the courage to flash my Aluratek using Chinese firmware. I used M218B v0.44 patch v1.3 from the manufacturer site (www.jcnip.com). It does take TWO flashes to get the Aluratek to boot up in the new M218B firmware. (There is another M218A++ firmware that also works on Jetbook, see Kralik's thread.)

The M218B firmware has three language settings. Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English. I can read Chinese but currently I have my reader set in English. The menus are very similar to the original Aluratek menus but with extra functions. I can now read English TXT and PDF books and EBA/EBAML Chinese books on the updated Aluratek.

The gain:
- Search function on book titles and book content
- Dictionary support (default is Chinese-English and Chinese-Chinese but I think it can be changed to English-English if I can locate the path to the dictionary files.)
- Supports EBA, EBAML, CEB, WOL (proprietary Chinese ebook formats), FLASH
(still supports TXT and PDF)
- Text to Speech on TXT and EBA, EBAML files. English or Chinese speech.
- Ability to change fonts when reading TXT and EBA/EBAML files.
- Book list now shows the type of file (TXT etc) and size of book in Kb
- Password protection on folders.
- Bootup password protection.

- I read somewhere on the manufacturer's site forums that if you try to access the wireless WiFi related functions on the menu the reader will hang and need a RESET (at back). This is due to the Aluratek / Jetbook does not have the WiFi hardware inside. I have not tried accessing the WiFi stuff on the menus to witness the hang.

- The Aluratek shows 112 Mb internal memory. I supposed hardware-wise Aluratek / Jetbook is the M218A or M218A+ model based on the manufacturer's spec on the memory capacity. (www.jcnip.com). The M218A / M218A+ has 128 mb flash memory. For the M218A++ or M218B(with WiFi) hardware they have 256 mb flash memory.

The loss:
- Lost French language setting on original Aluratek
- Lost support to FB2, EPUB, MOBI, PRC and RTF

I have downloaded some EBA, EBAML format Chinese ebooks from manufacturer site and able to read them now. However I still have trouble reading those Gutenberg Chinese TXT ebook (UTF-8). The reader shows Chinese characters but they are incorrect and does not make sense.

I have tried adding to the Aluratek reader the three font files meant to enable Sony PRS505 to read Chinese books without firmware change. It didn't work on the Aluratek. I also tried MingLiu font from my Windows directory. It didn't work either, still showing Chinese characters but incorrect content.

I have read somewhere in mobileread.com that Jetbook firmware v033 supports UTF-8 encoding I may give it a try later.

10-27-2009, 09:13 PM	#11
qtq Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Sony PRS505, Aluratek Libre	Thanks to Kralik's thread on Chinese firmware woes and redemption. I got the courage to flash my Aluratek using Chinese firmware. I used M218B v0.44 patch v1.3 from the manufacturer site (www.jcnip.com). It does take TWO flashes to get the Aluratek to boot up in the new M218B firmware. (There is another M218A++ firmware that also works on Jetbook, see Kralik's thread.) The M218B firmware has three language settings. Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English. I can read Chinese but currently I have my reader set in English. The menus are very similar to the original Aluratek menus but with extra functions. I can now read English TXT and PDF books and EBA/EBAML Chinese books on the updated Aluratek. The gain: - Search function on book titles and book content - Dictionary support (default is Chinese-English and Chinese-Chinese but I think it can be changed to English-English if I can locate the path to the dictionary files.) - Supports EBA, EBAML, CEB, WOL (proprietary Chinese ebook formats), FLASH (still supports TXT and PDF) - Text to Speech on TXT and EBA, EBAML files. English or Chinese speech. - Ability to change fonts when reading TXT and EBA/EBAML files. - Book list now shows the type of file (TXT etc) and size of book in Kb - Password protection on folders. - Bootup password protection. - I read somewhere on the manufacturer's site forums that if you try to access the wireless WiFi related functions on the menu the reader will hang and need a RESET (at back). This is due to the Aluratek / Jetbook does not have the WiFi hardware inside. I have not tried accessing the WiFi stuff on the menus to witness the hang. - The Aluratek shows 112 Mb internal memory. I supposed hardware-wise Aluratek / Jetbook is the M218A or M218A+ model based on the manufacturer's spec on the memory capacity. (www.jcnip.com). The M218A / M218A+ has 128 mb flash memory. For the M218A++ or M218B(with WiFi) hardware they have 256 mb flash memory. The loss: - Lost French language setting on original Aluratek - Lost support to FB2, EPUB, MOBI, PRC and RTF I have downloaded some EBA, EBAML format Chinese ebooks from manufacturer site and able to read them now. However I still have trouble reading those Gutenberg Chinese TXT ebook (UTF-8). The reader shows Chinese characters but they are incorrect and does not make sense. I have tried adding to the Aluratek reader the three font files meant to enable Sony PRS505 to read Chinese books without firmware change. It didn't work on the Aluratek. I also tried MingLiu font from my Windows directory. It didn't work either, still showing Chinese characters but incorrect content. I have read somewhere in mobileread.com that Jetbook firmware v033 supports UTF-8 encoding I may give it a try later.