PRS-650 Just got my new Sony PRS650

silvercity · 06-30-2011, 08:02 PM

After an unsuccessful attempt to purchase a 950 reader (see my other posts) I decided to settle for the 650. I just got it today, it's charging and I plan on starting it up later tonight or tomorrow.

My questions are after I start it up...install the dictionary etc what is the first thing I should do? I've seen a few ppl mention a program Calibre...should I d/l it and from where, is it easy to use? Do I simply install it on the ebook reader through the usb plug? Is there something else I should do besides installing Calibre...any other program or tweek?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Stitchawl · 06-30-2011, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silvercity

After an unsuccessful attempt to purchase a 950 reader (see my other posts) I decided to settle for the 650. I just got it today, it's charging and I plan on starting it up later tonight or tomorrow.

My questions are after I start it up...install the dictionary etc what is the first thing I should do? I've seen a few ppl mention a program Calibre...should I d/l it and from where, is it easy to use? Do I simply install it on the ebook reader through the usb plug? Is there something else I should do besides installing Calibre...any other program or tweek?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Hi yo Silver.... Sorry, I got carried away...

Welcome to the MobileRead Forums! I hope you enjoy your Sony as much as I enjoy mine. It's a delight to use, and easy enough even for me.
Regarding Calibre... Very easy. But you're under a bit of a misunderstanding. Calibre gets installed on your computer, not on your reader. It's a program that is designed to 'manipulate' your reading materials in many different ways. So many, in fact, that I only use 2-3 of them myself and get by with no problems.

Download Calibre from RIGHT HERE.

When you install Calibre, its Wizard will help you set it up correctly for your reader. Easy. No need to plug in your reader yet.
Sony readers require books to be in certain formats; epub and lrf, (perhaps other too, but as I said, I'm no expert.) This is the 'last name' of the book file, just like .txt or .doc or .pdf. If you find a book that is in a different format, perhaps .mobi or .html, (as in RobisonCaruso.mobi) Calibre will convert the file into one that your Sony can use.
Next, you can arrange the books information, i.e. author's name, title, genre, publisher, date, etc., etc., etc. to your own liking. Me... I only care about title, author, and genre, but most other folks like to arrange their books by categories, series, tags, and all sorts of things. Calibre let's you set it up the way you like. Feel free to experiment a bit.
Calibre will be your 'library shelf.' Add what ever books to your 'shelf' that you would like to read in the future. (You might even have a category of "Books to be Read.") Add as many as you'd like. There are thousands of free books available to you right here in the MobileRead download area, beautifully formatted by many of our members. Just choose the correct format for Sony and download your favorites. (See top of page where it says E-books?) Same is true with "Project Gutenberg." Half a million free books there.
Then, after you've loaded your shelves with the books you want, plug your reader into the computer with the USB plug, and click on Calibre's icon to transfer the books from its library into your Sony. That's all there is to it. Now, read and enjoy!

If you run into questions, there is a dedicated 'Calibre' forum here, as well as a dedicated 'Sony' forum. Folks in either are far more knowledgeable than I am, and willing and able to help!

Stitchawl

SeaBookGuy · 06-30-2011, 08:32 PM

What do you mean by "install the dictionary"? The dictionaries come pre-installed.

If your public library offers ebook lending, your 650 should handle those.

silvercity · 06-30-2011, 09:07 PM

Stitchawl - wow thanks for the quick reply and the info. Yes I did think that Calibre was supposed to be installed on the device...so that clears things up for me. I'll download it now and play around with it. I also saw the thread on where to get great free ebooks so I'll look into that as well.

SeaBookGuy - thanks for the tidbit on the library...I'll check it out. Oh and I know that the dict. comes pre-installed...what I meant was setup the device.

Anything else I should know. I'm excited to use my first ever ebook reader :-)

SensualPoet · 06-30-2011, 10:05 PM

I admire your tenacity, living in Montreal and driving 12 hrs round trip to Boston to buy a Sony PRS-650.

Falcao · 06-30-2011, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SensualPoet

I admire your tenacity, living in Montreal and driving 12 hrs round trip to Boston to buy a Sony PRS-650.

Not the same, but I drove last year like 8-9 hours round trip from Hermosillo (Sonora, Mexico) to Tucson (Arizona, USA) just to get my PRS-650

vxf · 06-30-2011, 11:14 PM

People are really critical of SONY's own software - Reader. I, for one, don't really mind it. While it certainly does not have the flexibility of Calibre, it does the basics. It should prompt for an auto-install the first time you plug the reader - I would give it a shot.

It is basically an interface to your device from your PC - allowing you to back up your content, upload it from your PC, access the SONY store and Google books, manage your annotations, and a few other things.

It is somehow limited in terms of organizing content (folders, collections, etc>) and it does not allow to manipulate ebooks - but, if you are new at this, chances are you won't be doing it anyhow.

SeaBookGuy · 06-30-2011, 11:48 PM

I put podcasts and short stories on my device to listen to at times when I just don't feel like reading print - the 650 works very well with Windows Media Player for tagging and transfer.

As is mentioned in other forums, most (newer) mobile phone chargers work for the 650's also.

carpetmojo · 07-01-2011, 03:16 AM

See the wiki page mentined in resources, really usefull & full of great tips on sources for free & bought stuff.
Enjoy !

Faster · 07-01-2011, 04:01 AM

Before you connect your PRS 650 to your computer and connect to the internet set a System Restore point on your computer. (If only someone had told me this before...)

silvercity · 07-01-2011, 09:19 AM

Podcasts are a good idea...I watch/listen to those on my ipod touch....maybe I'll download an audiobook and give it a try on the reader. Could I transfer the audiobook with calibre? What audio format is the best? Does the reader have external speakers? I tried listening to something yesterday and I didn't hear anything. I'm guessing it only works with headphones (didn't have my headphones with me to try it out).

Also, is there a way to convert a pdf file to a format like epub. I have some pdfs (like cooking books) and it looks like they don't work that well on the reader...print is way too small.

Rizla · 07-01-2011, 09:56 AM

A couple of months ago I called my local Sony store on the off chance they had a 650 in. They did! A black one! I reserved it and drove down there. Someone had been trying to buy it before I got there. Got lucky there.

SeaBookGuy · 07-01-2011, 11:41 AM

You can put mp3 audiobooks on your 650, but I find the device isn't really optimal for listening to those over several hours; the longest one I've had on my mine was about 6 hours, and it was a series of essays, not a continuous narrative. Moreover, there seems to be some sort of message that appears, which I've never experienced, reminding you that you have a book in progress that some folks find annoying. The audio feature's intended purpose was to listen to background music while reading it seems.

No, there are no external speakers. I think Calibre handles audiobooks, but haven't tried it.

silvercity · 07-01-2011, 01:35 PM

As I use the reader more questions pop up. Is there only one font, which is the best for reading? And what do you have your brightness view adjusted to, I find mine dark but maybe it is something I need to get used to? I got a leather case for it but the one without the light, anyone have the case with the light and is it worth it?

Thx everyone.

Tony1988 · 07-01-2011, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silvercity

As I use the reader more questions pop up. Is there only one font, which is the best for reading? And what do you have your brightness view adjusted to, I find mine dark but maybe it is something I need to get used to? I got a leather case for it but the one without the light, anyone have the case with the light and is it worth it?

Thx everyone.

Yes there is only one font. But there are programs out there that add more.

The case witht he light IMO is not worth it. Sellers are trying to get close to a hundred dollars for them. Just get a nice leather cover under $30 and go buy a cheap book light.

06-30-2011, 08:02 PM	#1
silvercity Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2011 Device: none	Just got my new Sony PRS650 After an unsuccessful attempt to purchase a 950 reader (see my other posts) I decided to settle for the 650. I just got it today, it's charging and I plan on starting it up later tonight or tomorrow. My questions are after I start it up...install the dictionary etc what is the first thing I should do? I've seen a few ppl mention a program Calibre...should I d/l it and from where, is it easy to use? Do I simply install it on the ebook reader through the usb plug? Is there something else I should do besides installing Calibre...any other program or tweek? Thanks for any suggestions. Last edited by silvercity; 06-30-2011 at 08:04 PM.

07-01-2011, 09:19 AM	#11
silvercity Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2011 Device: none	Podcasts are a good idea...I watch/listen to those on my ipod touch....maybe I'll download an audiobook and give it a try on the reader. Could I transfer the audiobook with calibre? What audio format is the best? Does the reader have external speakers? I tried listening to something yesterday and I didn't hear anything. I'm guessing it only works with headphones (didn't have my headphones with me to try it out). Also, is there a way to convert a pdf file to a format like epub. I have some pdfs (like cooking books) and it looks like they don't work that well on the reader...print is way too small. Last edited by silvercity; 07-01-2011 at 09:37 AM.

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06-30-2011, 08:32 PM	#3
SeaBookGuy Can one read too much? Posts: 2,029 Karma: 2487799 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Naples, FL Device: Kindle PW 3, Sony 350 and 650	What do you mean by "install the dictionary"? The dictionaries come pre-installed. If your public library offers ebook lending, your 650 should handle those.

06-30-2011, 09:07 PM	#4
silvercity Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2011 Device: none	Stitchawl - wow thanks for the quick reply and the info. Yes I did think that Calibre was supposed to be installed on the device...so that clears things up for me. I'll download it now and play around with it. I also saw the thread on where to get great free ebooks so I'll look into that as well. SeaBookGuy - thanks for the tidbit on the library...I'll check it out. Oh and I know that the dict. comes pre-installed...what I meant was setup the device. Anything else I should know. I'm excited to use my first ever ebook reader :-)

06-30-2011, 10:05 PM	#5
SensualPoet Wizard Posts: 2,302 Karma: 2607151 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto Device: Kobo Aura HD, Kindle Paperwhite, Asus ZenPad 3, Kobo Glo	I admire your tenacity, living in Montreal and driving 12 hrs round trip to Boston to buy a Sony PRS-650.

06-30-2011, 11:14 PM	#7
vxf Guru Posts: 944 Karma: 1490348 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Norman, OK Device: Sony PRS 350, 900, 950; Kindles (ALL of them!); Kobo Aura One	People are really critical of SONY's own software - Reader. I, for one, don't really mind it. While it certainly does not have the flexibility of Calibre, it does the basics. It should prompt for an auto-install the first time you plug the reader - I would give it a shot. It is basically an interface to your device from your PC - allowing you to back up your content, upload it from your PC, access the SONY store and Google books, manage your annotations, and a few other things. It is somehow limited in terms of organizing content (folders, collections, etc>) and it does not allow to manipulate ebooks - but, if you are new at this, chances are you won't be doing it anyhow.

06-30-2011, 11:48 PM	#8
SeaBookGuy Can one read too much? Posts: 2,029 Karma: 2487799 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Naples, FL Device: Kindle PW 3, Sony 350 and 650	I put podcasts and short stories on my device to listen to at times when I just don't feel like reading print - the 650 works very well with Windows Media Player for tagging and transfer. As is mentioned in other forums, most (newer) mobile phone chargers work for the 650's also.

07-01-2011, 03:16 AM	#9
carpetmojo Wizard Posts: 3,117 Karma: 9269999 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: UK Device: Sony- T3, PRS650, 350, T1/2/3, Paperwhite, Fire 8.9,Samsung Tab S 10.5	See the wiki page mentined in resources, really usefull & full of great tips on sources for free & bought stuff. Enjoy !

07-01-2011, 04:01 AM	#10
Faster Connoisseur Posts: 61 Karma: 12096 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Tasmania Device: Sony PRS 650	Before you connect your PRS 650 to your computer and connect to the internet set a System Restore point on your computer. (If only someone had told me this before...)

07-01-2011, 09:56 AM	#12
Rizla Member Retired Posts: 3,183 Karma: 11721895 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Nook STR (rooted) & Sony T2	A couple of months ago I called my local Sony store on the off chance they had a 650 in. They did! A black one! I reserved it and drove down there. Someone had been trying to buy it before I got there. Got lucky there.

07-01-2011, 11:41 AM	#13
SeaBookGuy Can one read too much? Posts: 2,029 Karma: 2487799 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Naples, FL Device: Kindle PW 3, Sony 350 and 650	You can put mp3 audiobooks on your 650, but I find the device isn't really optimal for listening to those over several hours; the longest one I've had on my mine was about 6 hours, and it was a series of essays, not a continuous narrative. Moreover, there seems to be some sort of message that appears, which I've never experienced, reminding you that you have a book in progress that some folks find annoying. The audio feature's intended purpose was to listen to background music while reading it seems. No, there are no external speakers. I think Calibre handles audiobooks, but haven't tried it.

07-01-2011, 01:35 PM	#14
silvercity Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2011 Device: none	As I use the reader more questions pop up. Is there only one font, which is the best for reading? And what do you have your brightness view adjusted to, I find mine dark but maybe it is something I need to get used to? I got a leather case for it but the one without the light, anyone have the case with the light and is it worth it? Thx everyone.

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