Is the new Sony format good or bad?

CarolB · 12-09-2009, 10:43 AM

I got an email from them saying that they were switching over to ePub or something and that everything would be new. How does this change things and is this going to make things easier?

grooks · 12-09-2009, 10:49 AM

People around here have known about Sony's impending switch to ePub for some time now. They are moving from a format (BBeB) which is proprietary to Sony, to a format (ePub) which is used by many ebook devices.

The simple answer is it will open the Sony Reader store to people who own devices other than Sony.

Slite · 12-09-2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grooks

People around here have known about Sony's impending switch to ePub for some time now. They are moving from a format (BBeB) which is proprietary to Sony, to a format (ePub) which is used by many ebook devices.

The simple answer is it will open the Sony Reader store to people who own devices other than Sony.

It will also open the sony readers to other e-book stores that sell ePub formated books. As well as allowing you to use epub formated books from the Public Libraries.

So basicly it's all good for Sony Readers

CarolB · 12-09-2009, 10:55 AM

Is it just a move to make more money? Does it change anything for the readers themselves?

grooks · 12-09-2009, 11:26 AM

It changes nothing on the readers themselves.

I think it is part to make money and part to get rid of their proprietary format and move towards what many think is the new standard format (ePub). By the way, I believe Sony was the first ebook device to support ePub.

Josieb1 · 12-09-2009, 11:45 AM

I have downloaded epub on a Sony PRS505, its a very easy format and Calibre freindly

CarolB · 12-09-2009, 12:26 PM

What other formats would you need or be able to convert to epub to be able to use them on a Sony? PDF's don't need to be converted, right? If you had the option of only MOBI, Adobe, EReader or whatever others there are, which will work the best on a Sony? I ask becuase I'm looking at Books on Board and notice they have many formats, I don't want to pay for one that is DRM protected and I can't use on my devise.

grooks · 12-09-2009, 12:29 PM

I believe Books on Board sells ePub and PDF. Those will work on the Sony. If you purchase any other format from them you will need to remove the DRM then convert to either ePub or LRF (sony only format).

CarolB · 12-09-2009, 12:30 PM

But you can use them at the same time on the reader with no issues and they'll both look equally as good? :0)

wallcraft · 12-09-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarolB

But you can use them at the same time on the reader with no issues and they'll both look equally as good?

The ePub will look better than the PDF, and ePub is what the Sony store will be providing. So far as I know, the issue with DRMed PDF and DRMed ePub on the device at the same time is for lending library ebooks only.

billbadger · 12-09-2009, 12:40 PM

I'm guessing this is only an issue (need to update firmware) for PRS500 and older. PRS505 and newer are ok?

grooks · 12-09-2009, 12:46 PM

You can use ePub and PDF on the device at the same time with one exception. If you borrow from your local library a PDF and an ePub and load them both on the device, only the one you last loaded will be readable. If you borrow library books and only load one format at a time, either PDF or ePub, then you will not have any issues.

Example, BOOKA.PDF AND BOOKB.EPUB are borrowed from your local library and loaded on your Sony Reader. One of those books will be readable and the other will say 'Protected Content'. It is a flaw with the Sony firmware and Sony is aware of it.

As to which looks better, definitely ePub will look better on your Sony. PDF ebooks will have to reflow and result in weird page breaks and quotes/conversations that run together. I usually do not buy PDF ebooks but only use them if they are free, like my local library.

Wetdogeared · 12-09-2009, 01:03 PM

ePubs will differ from your current Sony LRX/LRF formats in that, currently, text is not right justified using ePub. Some readers do not like the ragged right edge when the text is not right justified; others don't like the large spaces between words when right justification is used.

A future modification of the readers may update the way ePub is displayed, but there is currently no date as to when or if this might happen.

Amalthia · 12-09-2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarolB

But you can use them at the same time on the reader with no issues and they'll both look equally as good? :0)

I think epub looks like crap compared to LRF because in epub the page numbers are displayed on the side margin which interfers with the text on the screen. And there is no text justification.

astra · 12-14-2009, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amalthia

I think epub looks like crap compared to LRF because in epub the page numbers are displayed on the side margin which interfers with the text on the screen. And there is no text justification.

Agree.

12-09-2009, 10:43 AM	#1
CarolB Connoisseur Posts: 78 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Canada Device: Sony 600	Is the new Sony format good or bad? I got an email from them saying that they were switching over to ePub or something and that everything would be new. How does this change things and is this going to make things easier?

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12-09-2009, 10:49 AM	#2
grooks Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 30250 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fort Myers, FL Device: Pocketbook Era, Kobo Forma	People around here have known about Sony's impending switch to ePub for some time now. They are moving from a format (BBeB) which is proprietary to Sony, to a format (ePub) which is used by many ebook devices. The simple answer is it will open the Sony Reader store to people who own devices other than Sony.

12-09-2009, 10:55 AM	#4
CarolB Connoisseur Posts: 78 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Canada Device: Sony 600	Is it just a move to make more money? Does it change anything for the readers themselves?

12-09-2009, 11:26 AM	#5
grooks Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 30250 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fort Myers, FL Device: Pocketbook Era, Kobo Forma	It changes nothing on the readers themselves. I think it is part to make money and part to get rid of their proprietary format and move towards what many think is the new standard format (ePub). By the way, I believe Sony was the first ebook device to support ePub.

12-09-2009, 11:45 AM	#6
Josieb1 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,082 Karma: 18051062 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: UK Device: Kindle Scribe, Coloursoft, PW SE, Kindle 6, Kobo Libra Colour, Libra 2	I have downloaded epub on a Sony PRS505, its a very easy format and Calibre freindly

12-09-2009, 12:26 PM	#7
CarolB Connoisseur Posts: 78 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Canada Device: Sony 600	What other formats would you need or be able to convert to epub to be able to use them on a Sony? PDF's don't need to be converted, right? If you had the option of only MOBI, Adobe, EReader or whatever others there are, which will work the best on a Sony? I ask becuase I'm looking at Books on Board and notice they have many formats, I don't want to pay for one that is DRM protected and I can't use on my devise.

12-09-2009, 12:29 PM	#8
grooks Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 30250 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fort Myers, FL Device: Pocketbook Era, Kobo Forma	I believe Books on Board sells ePub and PDF. Those will work on the Sony. If you purchase any other format from them you will need to remove the DRM then convert to either ePub or LRF (sony only format).

12-09-2009, 12:30 PM	#9
CarolB Connoisseur Posts: 78 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Canada Device: Sony 600	But you can use them at the same time on the reader with no issues and they'll both look equally as good? :0)

12-09-2009, 12:40 PM	#11
billbadger Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Sony PRS505	I'm guessing this is only an issue (need to update firmware) for PRS500 and older. PRS505 and newer are ok?

12-09-2009, 12:46 PM	#12
grooks Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 30250 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fort Myers, FL Device: Pocketbook Era, Kobo Forma	You can use ePub and PDF on the device at the same time with one exception. If you borrow from your local library a PDF and an ePub and load them both on the device, only the one you last loaded will be readable. If you borrow library books and only load one format at a time, either PDF or ePub, then you will not have any issues. Example, BOOKA.PDF AND BOOKB.EPUB are borrowed from your local library and loaded on your Sony Reader. One of those books will be readable and the other will say 'Protected Content'. It is a flaw with the Sony firmware and Sony is aware of it. As to which looks better, definitely ePub will look better on your Sony. PDF ebooks will have to reflow and result in weird page breaks and quotes/conversations that run together. I usually do not buy PDF ebooks but only use them if they are free, like my local library.

12-09-2009, 01:03 PM	#13
Wetdogeared Storm Surge'n Posts: 5,780 Karma: 8213195 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Polar Vortex Device: S0ny PRS-300/350/505/700/T1	ePubs will differ from your current Sony LRX/LRF formats in that, currently, text is not right justified using ePub. Some readers do not like the ragged right edge when the text is not right justified; others don't like the large spaces between words when right justification is used. A future modification of the readers may update the way ePub is displayed, but there is currently no date as to when or if this might happen.

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