Lack of ePub support a big problem?

ignis · 02-11-2011, 08:35 AM

Hi,

Seeing as that I'm having enormous trouble finding where to buy a Sony Reader from, I'm starting to consider Kindle as an alternative. I'm even willing to overlook the absolutely (in my opinion) unnecessary and useless keyboard. What I can't come to grips with, however, is the lack of ePub support. I've been reading ebooks for close to 10 years now, and during that time have a amassed a rather extensive collection of ebooks in ePub format.

Yes, I know that calibre can convert ePub to other formats. What remains to be seen, however, is the quality of such conversions. I like to read my ebooks in style, with table of contents, illustrations (where applicable), paragraphs, hyphenation, footnotes, etc. In my previous experience with some calibre-converted books, it fails miserably on most of those fronts.

I'm sure it's possible to set it up right and then spend god knows how much time manually editing the book files, but then I may as well pay $150 extra and get PRS-650 instead?

HarryT · 02-11-2011, 09:37 AM

Why not try a few conversions and see how they look with the Kindle for PC app? My experience is that they generally work extremely well.

ProfCrash · 02-11-2011, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Why not try a few conversions and see how they look with the Kindle for PC app? My experience is that they generally work extremely well.

+1

I have never converted to EPub from Mobi or vice versa. The posts I have read on this site seem to indicate that the conversions end up looking just fine the vast majority of the time.

chyron8472 · 02-11-2011, 10:11 AM

There is another program from Amazon called Kindle Previewer which mimics what a book will look like on a Kindle, without having to register K4PC as a new device and stuff.

I find it to be faster and more useful than Kindle4PC.

MacEachaidh · 02-11-2011, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chyron8472

There is another program from Amazon called Kindle Previewer

That's a great find, chyron8472 - thank you !!

jocampo · 02-11-2011, 03:51 PM

Speaking by experience here,

I've done lot of conversions from ePub to Mobi and Mobi to ePub with zero problems all the time. The common factor is that most of them have been pure text or novels with just a couple of pictures, but still zero problems after conversion. I've even converted two SQL books (they usually have some graphics and complex formats) and everything looks fine.

My suggestion would be, check the biggest online store in your area or country and compare to Amazon. If you can find more of your favorites titles in Amazon, go for it, and get a Kindle 3. For a pure text book the differences in display between ePub and Mobi are zero! They look exactly the same, native and converted, that's my personal experience.

Care · 02-11-2011, 04:45 PM

I have had good experience converting from azw to epub. The flow is usually pretty similar, but these are text, no pictures. The hardest part is stripping the drm if that needs to be done.I don't liketo do it though if I don't have to.

My reason for needing epub is fr library books. If I didn't use the library I wouldn't really mind as much. So if you only plan to get drm free books or buy mobi ebooks you should be fine.

Grimm · 02-11-2011, 06:43 PM

Why bother with a Kindle if you already have epubs in huge quantities? Grab a Sony or a Nook.

aagstn · 02-11-2011, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimm

Why bother with a Kindle if you already have epubs in huge quantities? Grab a Sony or a Nook.

Exactly. Why limit yourself when you can get devices that are just as good as a kindle and that support the format used by pretty much everyone but Amazon.

jocampo · 02-11-2011, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimm

Why bother with a Kindle if you already have epubs in huge quantities? Grab a Sony or a Nook.

The OP is not living in USA I believe, hence Sony or Kindle would be a better choice. Those two has better international support.

Care · 02-11-2011, 08:43 PM

The OP said they were having a hard time finding a sony. Maybe somebody knows where to order one internationally? That way all the epubs can be loaded on with no conversions or hassle.

chyron8472 · 02-12-2011, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimm

Why bother with a Kindle if you already have epubs in huge quantities?

Because:

stripping DRM is relatively simple with the right tool;
Calibre makes converting epub to mobi fairly painless;
Amazon has a huge online bookstore;
Amazon has wonderful customer service;
Amazon has the greatest likelihood coming out on top and staying there in the ebook reader business, as evidenced in part by the fact that BN is discontinuing the Nook 3G;
current gen Sony PRS is more expensive than K3;
K3 has the option of free 3G which, more than buying/dl'ing books can even access websites (such as this one);

and more reasons, but I think I made my point thus far.

Poppaea · 02-12-2011, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chyron8472

Because:

stripping DRM is relatively simple with the right tool;
Calibre makes converting epub to mobi fairly painless;
Amazon has a huge online bookstore;
Amazon has wonderful customer service;
Amazon has the greatest likelihood coming out on top and staying there in the ebook reader business, as evidenced in part by the fact that BN is discontinuing the Nook 3G;
current gen Sony PRS is more expensive than K3;
K3 has the option of free 3G which, more than buying/dl'ing books can even access websites (such as this one);

and more reasons, but I think I made my point thus far.

stripping DRM may be illigal in your country (the OP comes from Norway)
Sony has a huge bookstore and the same prizing as Amazon and you can shop in all the Norwegian ebook stores too
others have wonderful customer services too
Sony has the greatest likelihood of staying on top in Europe
current K3 features a cheap keyboard whereas the Sony has IR touchscreen

EowynCarter · 02-12-2011, 06:11 AM

The one ePub i turn into a mobi, didn't go that well. Way too large margins.

Publishers in norway uses ePub don't they ? Spare yourself some mess, get a reader that can read epub. Have you looked at bookeen and pocketbook ?

Quote:

stripping DRM is relatively simple with the right tool;

I do that anyway. But at least you can use the book with drm if you're out of time.

Quote:

Calibre makes converting epub to mobi fairly painless;

Converting might be easy, not having to convert is even easier.

Quote:

Amazon has a huge online bookstore;

Only in the US.

Quote:

Amazon has wonderful customer service;

Amazon have good customer service, but sending a package to the US is long and expensive.

Cpl Punishment · 02-12-2011, 07:35 AM

If a have a ton of PDF's trying looking into an IPAD...Expensive for sure, but it sure does work.....Conversions are easy via Calibre...

*Geez, soory about, that I see you said, Epub not PDF..Conversions are still easy....

02-11-2011, 08:35 AM	#1
ignis Member Posts: 18 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Norway Device: Kindle 3	Lack of ePub support a big problem? Hi, Seeing as that I'm having enormous trouble finding where to buy a Sony Reader from, I'm starting to consider Kindle as an alternative. I'm even willing to overlook the absolutely (in my opinion) unnecessary and useless keyboard. What I can't come to grips with, however, is the lack of ePub support. I've been reading ebooks for close to 10 years now, and during that time have a amassed a rather extensive collection of ebooks in ePub format. Yes, I know that calibre can convert ePub to other formats. What remains to be seen, however, is the quality of such conversions. I like to read my ebooks in style, with table of contents, illustrations (where applicable), paragraphs, hyphenation, footnotes, etc. In my previous experience with some calibre-converted books, it fails miserably on most of those fronts. I'm sure it's possible to set it up right and then spend god knows how much time manually editing the book files, but then I may as well pay $150 extra and get PRS-650 instead?

02-11-2011, 10:11 AM	#4
chyron8472 Groupie Posts: 180 Karma: 558490 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Kindle 5, Amazon Fire 5th Gen, Moto Z Play Droid	There is another program from Amazon called Kindle Previewer which mimics what a book will look like on a Kindle, without having to register K4PC as a new device and stuff. I find it to be faster and more useful than Kindle4PC. Last edited by chyron8472; 02-11-2011 at 01:57 PM.

02-12-2011, 07:35 AM	#15
Cpl Punishment Guru Posts: 682 Karma: 4156546 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: On The Move Device: Ipad 103rd Gen	If a have a ton of PDF's trying looking into an IPAD...Expensive for sure, but it sure does work.....Conversions are easy via Calibre... Geez, soory about, that I see you said, Epub not PDF..Conversions are still easy.... Last edited by Cpl Punishment; 02-12-2011 at 07:37 AM. Reason: Read the question....Better !!*

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02-11-2011, 09:37 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Why not try a few conversions and see how they look with the Kindle for PC app? My experience is that they generally work extremely well.

02-11-2011, 03:51 PM	#6
jocampo Layback feline Posts: 3,034 Karma: 6980745 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: USA Device: Oasis 2nd gen, Sony DPTS1, iPad Pro 10.5"	Speaking by experience here, I've done lot of conversions from ePub to Mobi and Mobi to ePub with zero problems all the time. The common factor is that most of them have been pure text or novels with just a couple of pictures, but still zero problems after conversion. I've even converted two SQL books (they usually have some graphics and complex formats) and everything looks fine. My suggestion would be, check the biggest online store in your area or country and compare to Amazon. If you can find more of your favorites titles in Amazon, go for it, and get a Kindle 3. For a pure text book the differences in display between ePub and Mobi are zero! They look exactly the same, native and converted, that's my personal experience.

02-11-2011, 04:45 PM	#7
Care Aes Sedai Posts: 659 Karma: 46166 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Aura and Kobo Mini, had a Nook, NOOKcolor, Nook STR.	I have had good experience converting from azw to epub. The flow is usually pretty similar, but these are text, no pictures. The hardest part is stripping the drm if that needs to be done.I don't liketo do it though if I don't have to. My reason for needing epub is fr library books. If I didn't use the library I wouldn't really mind as much. So if you only plan to get drm free books or buy mobi ebooks you should be fine.

02-11-2011, 06:43 PM	#8
Grimm DRM killer Posts: 471 Karma: 793120 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Just northeast of Atlanta, GA Device: ASUS Transformer Prime (Sold: Nook, Kindle 3, Nook Color, Nook STR)	Why bother with a Kindle if you already have epubs in huge quantities? Grab a Sony or a Nook.

02-11-2011, 08:43 PM	#11
Care Aes Sedai Posts: 659 Karma: 46166 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Aura and Kobo Mini, had a Nook, NOOKcolor, Nook STR.	The OP said they were having a hard time finding a sony. Maybe somebody knows where to order one internationally? That way all the epubs can be loaded on with no conversions or hassle.

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