Calibre Web Interface - Add MetaData pre-Download?

[Fmstrat]

Is it possible to have Calibre add the meta-data to a file when downloading from the web interface?

Scenario A (works): I hook a Kindle up via USB, and add a book to Main Device. Any meta data such as the Amazon ID is transfered over to the Kindle, enabling Whispersync.

Scenario B (doesn't): I visit the web interface from a Kindle, and download the MOBI format. The Kindle receives the original MOBI file, not one with the meta data added in, thus no Amazon ID or Whispersync.

Thanks!
Ben

[kovidgoyal]

The web server does set metadata in epub and mobi files. Make sure you are using a recent calibre version.

[Fmstrat]

Thanks for the response.

However, that doesn't seem to be the case for me. I'm using 0.8.34 on a Mac, and have also tested this with the Linux version.

Exact method to reproduce (without need for Kindle):

• Load a book with a random cover and no Amazon ID into Calibre
• Right click, Edit Metadata, Download Metadata and Covers, Download Both
• Cover changes and Amazon ID is listed on the right
• Visit http://localhost:8080/mobile with server running (it also happens with non-mobile site, but I use the mobile site on the Kindle)
• Click on MOBI and download
• Add this new book to Calibre, saying yes it's OK to duplicate (just an easy way to see the cover/metadata)
• This new MOBI file/book does not have the new cover or the Amazon ID

I can post a video if required.

If I Save to Disk a MOBI file, and then add that file to Calibre, it does contain all the relavent metadata. My suggestion was to have the web interface function the same way, especially as it relates to the Amazon ID.

I could be doing something dumb that's causing the ID to not come over, if so, let me know

Thanks,
Ben

[kovidgoyal]

The only way to change covers in some MOBI files is to reconvert. Change the title or author for your tests.

[Fmstrat]

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

The only way to change covers in some MOBI files is to reconvert. Change the title or author for your tests.

Ahhh, interesting!

Sorry if I'm slow, but at what point would I do this to force the metadata to rebuild and save to the mobi file? I tried changing the title after downloading metadata and then retrieving it from the calibre server via web, but the same thing happened, it just sent the original mobi file.

So far, the only way I've managed to get this to work is to download the metadata, save the book to a file using Calibre's export, delete the original from Calibre, then import the new one.

Any chance for a feature request of force running the same conversion process used in "save to disk" in the web interface prior to delivering the file via HTTP (or an option to do so)?

Thanks!
Ben

[theducks]

Originally Posted by Fmstrat

Ahhh, interesting!

Sorry if I'm slow, but at what point would I do this to force the metadata to rebuild and save to the mobi file? I tried changing the title after downloading metadata and then retrieving it from the calibre server via web, but the same thing happened, it just sent the original mobi file.

So far, the only way I've managed to get this to work is to download the metadata, save the book to a file using Calibre's export, delete the original from Calibre, then import the new one.

Any chance for a feature request of force running the same conversion process used in "save to disk" in the web interface prior to delivering the file via HTTP (or an option to do so)?

Thanks!
Ben

did you try a simple Mobi->Mobi conversion ?

[Fmstrat]

Originally Posted by theducks

did you try a simple Mobi->Mobi conversion ?

I did try this, with mixed success.

Basically, the conversion pulled the cover over, but not the Amazon ID. I also had to go in and delete the format ORIGINAL_MOBI from the book record or the web interface would still supply that one instead of the new MOBI file.

I'm not sure what all the "save to" feature is doing that is different from the mobi->mobi conversion, but the ID is the one thing I noticed right off.

Thanks,
Ben

[Fmstrat]

Hrm.. perhaps this isn't even possible? I just realized the save-to-disk and then reimport keeps the Amazon ID, but still does not deliver it via the web interface. Is the Amazon ID stored in the MOBI file, or is it pushed to the Kindle during the USB sync?

Thanks,
Ben

[kovidgoyal]

amazon ids are not added to MOBI files. Save to disk works because they are stored in the opf file.

[Fmstrat]

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

amazon ids are not added to MOBI files. Save to disk works because they are stored in the opf file.

Yea, that makes total sense now. Thanks! Since when I was importing the newly exported MOBI I was deleting the opf, I'm guessing it's continuing to store the data in the DB for caching as well.

This makes me wonder if it would be possible to create an app for rooted Kindles to grab and insert Amazon IDs directly on the device.

Thanks again,
Ben