Best source to convert to LRF?

erikk · 12-30-2007, 05:51 PM

OK so I know that any question like "best way to convert PDF to LRF" or "best way to convert HTML to LRF" or etc will be answered by 10 different people with 11 different opinions based on the converter each prefers most.

So I have a slightly different question. If I have access to a book in let's say HTML, PDF, RTF and TXT format (not limited to that, just giving example), which will be the easiest to convert with the best results? IE what format is the closest to LRF and requires the least conversion?

JSWolf · 12-30-2007, 05:55 PM

HTML can be converted using html2lrf or Book Designer.
PDF is best with PDFLRF.
RTF & text can be converted with rtf2lrf & text2lrf or BD.

erikk · 12-30-2007, 05:59 PM

Yes but which is the easiest and the most likely to get the best results? I mean I know these tools are all trying to be as simple as possible with the best results, but surely you get better results with certain source file types than others. I mean I know that PDF has more issues than other sources; so is there one that's a totally easy conversion?

Another IE, if I have files in HTML and LIT.

EDIT: BTW I realized my question might be confusing. I'm saying if I have one book in multiple formats (perfect example, gutenberg has books in TXT and HTML); is there a preferable format to start with.

vivaldirules · 12-30-2007, 06:12 PM

If you have the choice, I would stay away from PDFs, even with pdflrf. It works and I use it all the time but it's not ideal. I think HTML is likey your best choice particularly if there are images, italics, and special characters. I mainly use Book Designer with HTMLs. Although BD is not a particularly intuitive program to use, it is versatile, does the job, and is free. If there are no images or special characters to deal with, I prefer to use an RTF file and just use the Sony software to convert it in order to save me from the hassle of BD. I'm not sure what others would say.

JSWolf · 12-30-2007, 06:13 PM

It depends on what condition your source is in. I sometimes use Word to clean up my source and then use the appropriate program on the source to convert.

erikk · 12-30-2007, 06:22 PM

Thanks for the feedback. I kind of figured sticking away from PDFs when possible was smart. Unfortunately I do have quite a lot of stuff that's ONLY in PDF so I'm going to have to learn a little about that conversion process no matter what. And some of my sources are DEFINITELY not pristine. So I guess I'll be experimenting a lot myself and probably have an opinion on this too in a couple weeks.

JSWolf · 12-30-2007, 07:10 PM

if the PDF are just text, you can load them into Book Designer and then look at the PDF and see the formatting to replicate it in BD.

Also you can try pdf2lrf (part of libprs500) as well

Xenophon · 12-31-2007, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erikk

<SNIP>
EDIT: BTW I realized my question might be confusing. I'm saying if I have one book in multiple formats (perfect example, gutenberg has books in TXT and HTML); is there a preferable format to start with.

Well... when starting from the various source formats one can download from Baen (html, lit, mobi, .rb) I get the best results from the html files, but I the conversion is easiest from the lit files. All using libprs500 to do the conversions.

The ease of use starting from lit files is beginning to convert me over to that approach. Although the results are slightly prettier starting from html, it's not a large enough difference to be worth the extra work.

Xenophon

kovidgoyal · 12-31-2007, 02:32 PM

html = lit > rtf > txt > pdf

AnemicOak · 12-31-2007, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xenophon

The ease of use starting from lit files is beginning to convert me over to that approach. Although the results are slightly prettier starting from html, it's not a large enough difference to be worth the extra work.

I'm wondering what comes out better for you using the html? Just curious as I've been quite pleased with the LIT conversions (both Baen & DRM).

erikk · 12-31-2007, 02:59 PM

Thanks, this is the kind of input I've been looking for.

jckatz · 12-31-2007, 08:34 PM

When I have multi format (Also Baen) I find LIT works great.

12-30-2007, 05:51 PM	#1
erikk Enthusiast Posts: 31 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lorton, VA Device: Sony Reader PRS-505	Best source to convert to LRF? OK so I know that any question like "best way to convert PDF to LRF" or "best way to convert HTML to LRF" or etc will be answered by 10 different people with 11 different opinions based on the converter each prefers most. So I have a slightly different question. If I have access to a book in let's say HTML, PDF, RTF and TXT format (not limited to that, just giving example), which will be the easiest to convert with the best results? IE what format is the closest to LRF and requires the least conversion?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Best source formats to convert to epub?	BrentB	Calibre	12	03-05-2010 11:36 PM
Best Format To Convert to LRF	ewilson13	LRF	3	12-04-2009 06:50 AM
Convert to LRF	ewilson13	LRF	1	12-04-2009 06:49 AM
Open source LRF viewer	kovidgoyal	LRF	30	01-18-2009 05:10 AM
Trying to convert html to lrf in BD	drogo	Sony Reader	5	10-25-2007 01:16 PM

12-30-2007, 05:55 PM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,609 Karma: 145863177 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	HTML can be converted using html2lrf or Book Designer. PDF is best with PDFLRF. RTF & text can be converted with rtf2lrf & text2lrf or BD.

12-30-2007, 05:59 PM	#3
erikk Enthusiast Posts: 31 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lorton, VA Device: Sony Reader PRS-505	Yes but which is the easiest and the most likely to get the best results? I mean I know these tools are all trying to be as simple as possible with the best results, but surely you get better results with certain source file types than others. I mean I know that PDF has more issues than other sources; so is there one that's a totally easy conversion? Another IE, if I have files in HTML and LIT. EDIT: BTW I realized my question might be confusing. I'm saying if I have one book in multiple formats (perfect example, gutenberg has books in TXT and HTML); is there a preferable format to start with.

12-30-2007, 06:12 PM	#4
vivaldirules When's Doughnut Day? Posts: 10,059 Karma: 13675475 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Houston, TX, US Device: Sony PRS-505, iPad	If you have the choice, I would stay away from PDFs, even with pdflrf. It works and I use it all the time but it's not ideal. I think HTML is likey your best choice particularly if there are images, italics, and special characters. I mainly use Book Designer with HTMLs. Although BD is not a particularly intuitive program to use, it is versatile, does the job, and is free. If there are no images or special characters to deal with, I prefer to use an RTF file and just use the Sony software to convert it in order to save me from the hassle of BD. I'm not sure what others would say.

12-30-2007, 06:13 PM	#5
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,609 Karma: 145863177 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	It depends on what condition your source is in. I sometimes use Word to clean up my source and then use the appropriate program on the source to convert.

12-30-2007, 06:22 PM	#6
erikk Enthusiast Posts: 31 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lorton, VA Device: Sony Reader PRS-505	Thanks for the feedback. I kind of figured sticking away from PDFs when possible was smart. Unfortunately I do have quite a lot of stuff that's ONLY in PDF so I'm going to have to learn a little about that conversion process no matter what. And some of my sources are DEFINITELY not pristine. So I guess I'll be experimenting a lot myself and probably have an opinion on this too in a couple weeks.

12-30-2007, 07:10 PM	#7
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,609 Karma: 145863177 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	if the PDF are just text, you can load them into Book Designer and then look at the PDF and see the formatting to replicate it in BD. Also you can try pdf2lrf (part of libprs500) as well

12-31-2007, 02:32 PM	#9
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,296 Karma: 27111240 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	html = lit > rtf > txt > pdf

12-31-2007, 02:59 PM	#11
erikk Enthusiast Posts: 31 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lorton, VA Device: Sony Reader PRS-505	Thanks, this is the kind of input I've been looking for.

12-31-2007, 08:34 PM	#12
jckatz Connoisseur Posts: 51 Karma: 216 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Device: SONY PSR-500	When I have multi format (Also Baen) I find LIT works great.

Advert

Advert