Aura HD External SD Card Organization

93terp · 08-30-2014, 11:10 AM

I have my Calibre library backed up to a 32GB micro-SD card, and my library contains many file formats for each book (ePub, mobi, AZW3, AZW). Is there a specific file structure that the Aura HD requires, or one that is most optimal, for reading books from the SD card? It seems to me that maybe I should only have my ePub books on the SD card if I want to read from it on the Aura HD?

Jellby · 08-30-2014, 11:27 AM

I don't think the device cares about the structure, because it processes everything into its database, and then displays the data from the database.

The only "trick" is that you can hide the books that you want to be seen by the device, by putting them in some folder with a name starting with a period, like ".hidden", or ".private", or ".buggy".

robko · 08-30-2014, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 93terp

I have my Calibre library backed up to a 32GB micro-SD card, and my library contains many file formats for each book (ePub, mobi, AZW3, AZW). Is there a specific file structure that the Aura HD requires, or one that is most optimal, for reading books from the SD card? It seems to me that maybe I should only have my ePub books on the SD card if I want to read from it on the Aura HD?

As long as you're not getting multiple versions showing up in your library that you have to wade through (i.e. same book in 2 or more formats) I don't think it will hurt anything having them on there. As Jellby said you can hide some of the directories from being seen if you want.

filmo · 08-30-2014, 12:25 PM

Go to Kobo.com find your ereader, Kobo Aura HD, then select Specs. From your listed ebook formats only EPUB is listed for Kobo Aura HD. Th full story is beyond DRM free EPUB; it is also compatible with Epubs with Adobe Digital Editions DRM, and Kobo epub with Kobo DRM called Kepubs here on this forum. Kobo also claims it handles ebooks formatted as PDF, MOBI, CBR, and CBZ some better than others but these all could use some improvement.

DNSB · 08-30-2014, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 93terp

I have my Calibre library backed up to a 32GB micro-SD card, and my library contains many file formats for each book (ePub, mobi, AZW3, AZW). Is there a specific file structure that the Aura HD requires, or one that is most optimal, for reading books from the SD card? It seems to me that maybe I should only have my ePub books on the SD card if I want to read from it on the Aura HD?

I would keep only the .epub files on a uSD card intended to be used in your Aura HD. While Kobo does read some .mobi files, I've found that quite a few use features that were part of the original .mobi definition and display oddly if at all. AZW* formats are Amazon specific and are not supported at all.

There is also support for CBR/CBZ format comic book files and PDF files. My daughter likes the comic book support but 16 level grey scale is not the greatest for most comics. The PDF support is good for emergencies but there is no text reflow and large diagrams do not do well on a small screen -- heck, most of them are hard to read on my iPad Air.

Regards,
David

93terp · 08-31-2014, 09:31 AM

Thanks all for the replies. I guess I didn't ask my question correctly, or as accurately as I should have. What I was trying to get at with my original question was whether it matters if the ePub files are located in sub-directories or if they should all be at the root level of the micro-SD card.

For example, right now my files are loaded on the micro-SD card from a straight copy of my Calibre library from PC to SD card (Calibre Library > Author > Book Title > BookTitle.ePub). Should I get rid of the folders and just have the BookTitle.ePub files at the root dirctory of the SD card? Does it make any difference either way?

Jellby · 08-31-2014, 09:47 AM

No, it doesn't make any difference. Keep whatever structure works best for you, the device will see all the books and index them in the database (and there's no folder view, so whatever structure you use will be invisible while using the device).

93terp · 08-31-2014, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jellby

No, it doesn't make any difference. Keep whatever structure works best for you, the device will see all the books and index them in the database (and there's no folder view, so whatever structure you use will be invisible while using the device).

93terp · 08-31-2014, 03:57 PM

Any unintended consequences of deleting all the .opf files that have copied over from PC to uSD card?

jackie_w · 08-31-2014, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 93terp

Any unintended consequences of deleting all the .opf files that have copied over from PC to uSD card?

Those .opf files are mainly for calibre's internal use so that it can completely rebuild its database from scratch if something terrible happens on your PC. Your Kobo doesn't need them. Similarly you should delete the cover.jpg files if you also have copies of those on your SD card.

93terp · 08-31-2014, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackie_w

Those .opf files are mainly for calibre's internal use so that it can completely rebuild its database from scratch if something terrible happens on your PC. Your Kobo doesn't need them. Similarly you should delete the cover.jpg files if you also have copies of those on your SD card.

08-30-2014, 11:10 AM	#1
93terp Fear The Turtle! Posts: 868 Karma: 4067244 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Margaritaville Device: KV, Kobo Forma, Kobo A1LE, KO3, K3	External SD Card Organization I have my Calibre library backed up to a 32GB micro-SD card, and my library contains many file formats for each book (ePub, mobi, AZW3, AZW). Is there a specific file structure that the Aura HD requires, or one that is most optimal, for reading books from the SD card? It seems to me that maybe I should only have my ePub books on the SD card if I want to read from it on the Aura HD?

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08-30-2014, 11:27 AM	#2
Jellby frumious Bandersnatch Posts: 7,546 Karma: 19001583 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Spaniard in Sweden Device: Cybook Orizon, Kobo Aura	I don't think the device cares about the structure, because it processes everything into its database, and then displays the data from the database. The only "trick" is that you can hide the books that you want to be seen by the device, by putting them in some folder with a name starting with a period, like ".hidden", or ".private", or ".buggy".

08-30-2014, 12:25 PM	#4
filmo Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 1077205 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Kobo Touch, Sony T1, Kobo Mini	Go to Kobo.com find your ereader, Kobo Aura HD, then select Specs. From your listed ebook formats only EPUB is listed for Kobo Aura HD. Th full story is beyond DRM free EPUB; it is also compatible with Epubs with Adobe Digital Editions DRM, and Kobo epub with Kobo DRM called Kepubs here on this forum. Kobo also claims it handles ebooks formatted as PDF, MOBI, CBR, and CBZ some better than others but these all could use some improvement.

08-31-2014, 09:31 AM	#6
93terp Fear The Turtle! Posts: 868 Karma: 4067244 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Margaritaville Device: KV, Kobo Forma, Kobo A1LE, KO3, K3	Thanks all for the replies. I guess I didn't ask my question correctly, or as accurately as I should have. What I was trying to get at with my original question was whether it matters if the ePub files are located in sub-directories or if they should all be at the root level of the micro-SD card. For example, right now my files are loaded on the micro-SD card from a straight copy of my Calibre library from PC to SD card (Calibre Library > Author > Book Title > BookTitle.ePub). Should I get rid of the folders and just have the BookTitle.ePub files at the root dirctory of the SD card? Does it make any difference either way?

08-31-2014, 09:47 AM	#7
Jellby frumious Bandersnatch Posts: 7,546 Karma: 19001583 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Spaniard in Sweden Device: Cybook Orizon, Kobo Aura	No, it doesn't make any difference. Keep whatever structure works best for you, the device will see all the books and index them in the database (and there's no folder view, so whatever structure you use will be invisible while using the device).

08-31-2014, 03:57 PM	#9
93terp Fear The Turtle! Posts: 868 Karma: 4067244 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Margaritaville Device: KV, Kobo Forma, Kobo A1LE, KO3, K3	Any unintended consequences of deleting all the .opf files that have copied over from PC to uSD card?

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