A few days ago I found the manuals for Brother's Document Viewer on their support site (
here,
here, and
here). I checked with Customer Service, and the liseuse itself has not yet been released. I've gleaned the following information from the manuals. But without the device in hand I can't confirm that my interpretation is correct.
Interesting point #1
If you have certain models of Brother Multi Function Devices (printer/scanner/fax combos), you can plug the SV-100B into a USB port and print to it. I don't know yet which models.
Interesting point #2
The SV-100B requires that you run software on your computer. SV-Manager is needed to convert from "Word, Excel, Powerpoint, PDF, etc", and only runs on XP and Vista. But it also comes with a printer driver, which should make conversion easier.
Interesting point #3
The format read by the SV-100B is proprietary, but there is a good reason for that. SV-Manager allows (forces?) you to encrypt a file so it can only be read on a specific SV-100B. The encrypted file cannot be cross loaded to another liseuse or PC.
I know that most consumers won't care for that feature, but this isn't a consumer product. This is a business product and anyone who's handled document control will appreciate the ability.
Interesting point #4
Brother's file format supports bookmarks, but I can't tell if it also supports internal links or an external TOC. They're not mentioned, so I doubt it.
Interesting point #5
You can use Bluetooth to tether the SV-100B to another device so you can display files from the other device on the SV-100B. The exact method for this is not explained.
Interesting point #6
The SV-100B has already passed FCC, so it's legal to sell it in the US.
Interesting point #7
The SV-100B has an upper limit of 10k pages. I believe the limit is security related, but it's not entirely clear.
Interesting point #8
If the device specific encryption isn't enough security for you, there is a password protected folder on the SV-100B. The password is 4 digits, and if 3 wrong passwords are entered in a row the folder is locked down.
Interesting point #9
I found the specs:
- Screen Size: 202.8mm x 139.4mm
- Resolution: 1200 x 825
- 4 Shade Gray Scale
- Refresh rate: less than 1 second *1
- microSD Card slot (2GB limit)
- USB 2.0 High-Speed
- Bluetooth® 2.0
- Security 128 Bit AES (Advanced Encryption Standard)
- Password lock function
- Lithium Ion Battery (user repalceable)
- Charging Time: approx. 3 hours (AC Adapter)/ approx. 5 hours (USB)
- Max battery life: approx. 83 hours (5,000 page display)
- Exterior Dimensions: 237 (W) x 247 (D) x 15.5 (H) mm
- Weight: approx. 600g
- Device life: display of 370,000 pages or 5 years
- Compatible format: unique format