Library Managment and conversion

berg · 03-09-2025, 06:31 AM

I have a question regarding Calibre, Library Managment, Conversion and multiple e-reader devices. I hope this is the right place to ask, if not please let me know.

Most of the people on MobileRead have multiple devices for reading e-books. I myself have a Kindle, a PocketBook and several Apple devices.

Almost all of my books came from Amazon but I also get books from HumbleBundle, Kobo, e-books.com and more. With the amazon ecosystem changing rapidly so it seems (removal of the download option etc.) I am looking to be more flexible. This means converting e-books to use on different type of devices. While Calibre makes this super easy, I struggle how to manage / organize this.

How do people handle multiple epub files optimized for specific devices while at the same time keeping the original file unchanged. This last part is to prevent lost on conversion problems. Does it even matter which output device you choose on conversion?

Thanks in advanced!

BetterRed · 03-09-2025, 07:35 AM

If I want I to keep the original, I put it in the the book's 'data' folder, usually with the original file name. If I have more than one epub (or pdf, docx, csv etc), the 'least important' versions would also go into the data folder.

My additional format files stem from different editions, languages, translations, illustrators etc rather than device or bookstore. The name of files and sub-folders within the 'data' folder are set by the user.

BR

Sirtel · 03-09-2025, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

If I want I to keep the original, I put it in the the book's 'data' folder, usually with the original file name.

Yes, I do the same.

Quote:

Originally Posted by berg

Does it even matter which output device you choose on conversion?

Not really. Actually it's best to set it to tablet, then the images won't be reduced in size.

ownedbycats · 03-09-2025, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

If I want I to keep the original, I put it in the the book's 'data' folder, usually with the original file name. If I have more than one epub (or pdf, docx, csv etc), the 'least important' versions would also go into the data folder.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Yes, I do the same.

I do something a little different. I copy all the original DeDRM'd Amazon downloads in a separate library with original metadata. I really ought to do it with other stores but I'm lazy.

Highroller · 03-09-2025, 09:31 AM

What I do is keep a separate folder for each device's optimized files. So, I have a "Kindle" folder, a "PocketBook" folder, etc. That way, I can easily find the right version for each device without messing with the originals.

As for the output device, I usually just stick with the generic "EPUB" or "MOBI" setting in Calibre, unless I know a specific device needs something different.

03-09-2025, 06:31 AM	#1
berg Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2024 Device: Kobo Aura Edition 2, PocketBook InkPad 3, Kindle Paperwhite Sig. Ed.	Library Managment and conversion I have a question regarding Calibre, Library Managment, Conversion and multiple e-reader devices. I hope this is the right place to ask, if not please let me know. Most of the people on MobileRead have multiple devices for reading e-books. I myself have a Kindle, a PocketBook and several Apple devices. Almost all of my books came from Amazon but I also get books from HumbleBundle, Kobo, e-books.com and more. With the amazon ecosystem changing rapidly so it seems (removal of the download option etc.) I am looking to be more flexible. This means converting e-books to use on different type of devices. While Calibre makes this super easy, I struggle how to manage / organize this. How do people handle multiple epub files optimized for specific devices while at the same time keeping the original file unchanged. This last part is to prevent lost on conversion problems. Does it even matter which output device you choose on conversion? Thanks in advanced!

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03-09-2025, 07:35 AM	#2
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 22,036 Karma: 30277960 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	If I want I to keep the original, I put it in the the book's 'data' folder, usually with the original file name. If I have more than one epub (or pdf, docx, csv etc), the 'least important' versions would also go into the data folder. My additional format files stem from different editions, languages, translations, illustrators etc rather than device or bookstore. The name of files and sub-folders within the 'data' folder are set by the user. BR

03-09-2025, 09:31 AM	#5
Highroller Zealot Posts: 146 Karma: 338 Join Date: Nov 2004 Device: Ebookwise 1150, Jetbook Lite, Slick Er-701	What I do is keep a separate folder for each device's optimized files. So, I have a "Kindle" folder, a "PocketBook" folder, etc. That way, I can easily find the right version for each device without messing with the originals. As for the output device, I usually just stick with the generic "EPUB" or "MOBI" setting in Calibre, unless I know a specific device needs something different.

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