does file size play a part in convertibility??

Jacques Q. · 10-21-2020, 06:38 PM

I notice that most of the time, when I have an ebook in EPub that eventually won't convert to Mobi, although going through all the steps (47%, 67%...) and pretty much taking its time (above 10', often quite a lot longer), it is a large file (say above 30 Mo, like Delphi Complete Works of So-and-so).
This is by no means always the case : I've had larger files (50Mo or more) that converted fine, but it seems 90% of the files that will not go through the complete conversion process are the bulky ones.
I can't be sure, because when the process is over all I get is a last line saying "MemoryError", which to me seems a bit weird considering the size of RAM on today's computers, but I am no expert, so if someone could clarify that (I daren't say suggest a solution), I'd be grateful.

JSWolf · 10-21-2020, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacques Q.

I notice that most of the time, when I have an ebook in EPub that eventually won't convert to Mobi, although going through all the steps (47%, 67%...) and pretty much taking its time (above 10', often quite a lot longer), it is a large file (say above 30 Mo, like Delphi Complete Works of So-and-so).
This is by no means always the case : I've had larger files (50Mo or more) that converted fine, but it seems 90% of the files that will not go through the complete conversion process are the bulky ones.
I can't be sure, because when the process is over all I get is a last line saying "MemoryError", which to me seems a bit weird considering the size of RAM on today's computers, but I am no expert, so if someone could clarify that (I daren't say suggest a solution), I'd be grateful.

Most memory errors with Calibre are because you are running a 32-bit version. ou need to run a 64-bit version. If you cannot because you are running a 32-bit Windows, you'll need to upgrade to a 64-bit Windows and 64-bit Calibre.

ownedbycats · 10-21-2020, 07:01 PM

Even on 64-bit Calibre, I've had a memory error happen when trying to convert a very image-heavy PDF to ePub. Though not on purpose. I'd accidentally selected it along with some other files I was bulk-converting.

hobnail · 10-21-2020, 10:12 PM

Mobi is only needed if you have a very old Kindle. Have you tried azw3 (aka kf8) instead? You'll likely get better formatting with azw3 as well. (Unless you choose both or new in the MOBI file type pulldown.) Don't be misled by a lot of web sites that act like mobi is the format to use for Kindles.

BetterRed · 10-22-2020, 04:07 AM

Format is a major factor, and complexity can be a bigger one - e.g. religious texts with concordances are problematic as are dictionaries. I've converted some very large plain text documents to epub in a few minutes.

Also see first couple of topics in ==>> E-book format conversion

BR

10-21-2020, 06:38 PM	#1
Jacques Q. Zealot Posts: 109 Karma: 1544 Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Paris Device: quite a few Kindles...	does file size play a part in convertibility?? I notice that most of the time, when I have an ebook in EPub that eventually won't convert to Mobi, although going through all the steps (47%, 67%...) and pretty much taking its time (above 10', often quite a lot longer), it is a large file (say above 30 Mo, like Delphi Complete Works of So-and-so). This is by no means always the case : I've had larger files (50Mo or more) that converted fine, but it seems 90% of the files that will not go through the complete conversion process are the bulky ones. I can't be sure, because when the process is over all I get is a last line saying "MemoryError", which to me seems a bit weird considering the size of RAM on today's computers, but I am no expert, so if someone could clarify that (I daren't say suggest a solution), I'd be grateful.

10-21-2020, 10:12 PM	#4
hobnail Running with scissors Posts: 1,586 Karma: 14328510 Join Date: Nov 2019 Device: none	Mobi is only needed if you have a very old Kindle. Have you tried azw3 (aka kf8) instead? You'll likely get better formatting with azw3 as well. (Unless you choose both or new in the MOBI file type pulldown.) Don't be misled by a lot of web sites that act like mobi is the format to use for Kindles. Last edited by hobnail; 10-21-2020 at 10:17 PM.

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10-21-2020, 07:01 PM	#3
ownedbycats Custom User Title Posts: 10,951 Karma: 74999999 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Libra H2O, formerly Aura HD	Even on 64-bit Calibre, I've had a memory error happen when trying to convert a very image-heavy PDF to ePub. Though not on purpose. I'd accidentally selected it along with some other files I was bulk-converting.

10-22-2020, 04:07 AM	#5
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 21,715 Karma: 29711016 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	Format is a major factor, and complexity can be a bigger one - e.g. religious texts with concordances are problematic as are dictionaries. I've converted some very large plain text documents to epub in a few minutes. Also see first couple of topics in ==>> E-book format conversion BR

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