From Sony T1 to New Kindle Paperwhite

[Blue2u]

Hi all, Seasons Greetings! Very excited that I got KPW for Christmas. But I need some help. I have all my books in Calibre, epub format sorted with Sony sort tags. I am tech-challenged and prefer syncing my T1 by USB to Calibre which ensures all my tags and series info goes to T1.

I would like to do the same thing with my KPW but not sure what modifications I need to make to my library to sync just as smoothly [with tags & series info]. What plugins do I need to add? Should I create a new Calibre library just for my KPW instead of using the epub/T1 library I have now?
It's my understanding that Calibre will automatically convert epub to device-appropriate [mobi] format.

Again, I'm very tech-challenged [I apologize in advance!]. Most importantly I just want to be able to plug the KPW into computer and sync it to Calibre with tags and series info in tact.

All I've done so far is take the KPW out of the box! LOL

I'm thinking someone here must have done this at some point [changed from an epub device to Kindle device], so better to just come out and ask. I did scan around and found nothing similar posted recently so apologize if I missed it.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help, very appreciated!

[Vroo]

One hint - if you're going to upload the books via USB (and not use the cloud) it's better to convert from EPUB to AZW3 (which is a new version of MOBI format).

[booklover6]

You are not going to be able to sync tags the way you do with your Sony. The only thing you can do is fix your metadata plugboard in Calibre to add the series info when you send to device via USB.

Preferences - Metadata Plugboards

Add new plugboard -
format - any format
device - Kindle2
source template: {authors}{series:| - | }{series_index:0>2s| - | }
destination field - authors

save plugboard

You might have to restart Calibre.

Now when you transfer a book to the PW2 you will have

TITLE
Author - Series 01

If I remember correctly. I still have the plugboard, but not the Kindle.

I also recommend AZW2 for the PW2.

[Blue2u]

Originally Posted by Vroo

One hint - if you're going to upload the books via USB (and not use the cloud) it's better to convert from EPUB to AZW3 (which is a new version of MOBI format).

Ok, thank you, very good to know!

I'm wondering if I just need a new Calibre plugin [which one works best with new KPW], and then it's as simple as plug in and sync?

[Blue2u]

Originally Posted by booklover6

You are not going to be able to sync tags the way you do with your Sony. The only thing you can do is fix your metadata plugboard in Calibre to add the series info when you send to device via USB.

Preferences - Metadata Plugboards

Add new plugboard -
format - any format
device - Kindle2
source template: {authors}{series:| - | }{series_index:0>2s| - | }
destination field - authors

save plugboard

You might have to restart Calibre.

Now when you transfer a book to the PW2 you will have

TITLE
Author - Series 01

If I remember correctly. I still have the plugboard, but not the Kindle.

I also recommend AZW2 for the PW2.

You replied while I was commenting! Ok sounds easy enough, 1 question, reply above said AZW3, you say AZW2, is this a typo or...? can I just choose this when I plugin to sync?

[booklover6]

I'm sorry, it's AZW3.

It preserves your formatting, if say, you like spaces between paragraphs.

I always convert before I send. But it can be done automatically on send.

[Blue2u]

Originally Posted by booklover6

I'm sorry, it's AZW3.

It preserves your formatting, if say, you like spaces between paragraphs.

I always convert before I send. But it can be done automatically on send.

, I so appreciate the help!
Sounds simple enough. Do you think it would be easier/better to just create a new library without the T1 plugin and add the Kindle plugin you described above to keep the 2 libraries separate or does it matter? I just want to keep this as easy as possible.

Also, I would like to sync the whole library [1000 +/-] books to the KPW. Is this advisable in 1 sync? Again, just trying to keep it simple and make it all work as easily and smoothly as possible.

[booklover6]

No, you can keep them in the same library, Calibre knows what to do.

Older Kindles used to choke if you sent that many books at once. The PW2 does much better in that respect. But try just a few, to see if your plugboard works the way you want it to work, or if you need to change anything.

[jbcohen]

I generally download my books in mobi format, why should I switch to azw3 format?

[booklover6]

Originally Posted by jbcohen

I generally download my books in mobi format, why should I switch to azw3 format?

It depends on how picky you are about document formatting. If you make changes in calibre, such as line spacing, azw3 will preserve the format. Mobi will not.

[Blue2u]

Originally Posted by booklover6

No, you can keep them in the same library, Calibre knows what to do.

Older Kindles used to choke if you sent that many books at once. The PW2 does much better in that respect. But try just a few, to see if your plugboard works the way you want it to work, or if you need to change anything.

THANK YOU SO MUCH! So far the library is working perfectly except for 1 thing, author sort is showing [for example] as Veronica Roth, not Roth, Veronica. Is there an easy way to change this? [I made a column to show how it would sort to the KPW by the plugin data].

[booklover6]

Yes that can be done easily, but I am not at my PC to check. Perhaps someone else will chime in. It is something to do with author_sort.

[Blue2u]

Originally Posted by booklover6

Yes that can be done easily, but I am not at my PC to check. Perhaps someone else will chime in. It is something to do with author_sort.

NP, thanks again so much for all you've done already. Karma to you and much appreciation!

[jgsmith]

Originally Posted by Blue2u

THANK YOU SO MUCH! So far the library is working perfectly except for 1 thing, author sort is showing [for example] as Veronica Roth, not Roth, Veronica. Is there an easy way to change this? [I made a column to show how it would sort to the KPW by the plugin data].

There are 2 ways.

1. (I've not tried this bit am told it works) Go into Preferences - output - select Mobi (yes, I know you are using AZW3) then check the box to use author sort for author.

2. (This is the one I am using) Create a plugboard, from any format to any format, select author_sort in the template column and authors in the destination field.

[Blue2u]

Originally Posted by jgsmith

There are 2 ways.

1. (I've not tried this bit am told it works) Go into Preferences - output - select Mobi (yes, I know you are using AZW3) then check the box to use author sort for author.

2. (This is the one I am using) Create a plugboard, from any format to any format, select author_sort in the template column and authors in the destination field.

Thank you, I will give this a shot.

I have another question, will I have to register or anything when I plug it into the computer the first time? [My T1 I never had to register or download anything, just always synced it to Calibre], and that was easy and nice. Do I have an option or is it a forced decision like Kobo was? [shudders]