Hello from Hong Kong. My experience with PRS-300

helenching78 · 12-28-2009, 05:44 AM

Just bought a Sony ebook Reader PRS 300 from the B&H. I ordered just before the Christmas holiday and received today.
Seems working well so far(Still charging it and copying a few books into it)

E-ink technology and ebook reader is very poorly known in Hong Kong. I went to look around in local computer shopping malls. I only find one nook(or what I believe what it was), selling at HKD$3000. It seems that everybody only cares about mp3 players/ portable media players. Well, with the whole lots of mp3s/ movies/ comics, I suppose few people ever read books(with text) nowadays...

Likely e-book reader won't ever have a market in Hong Kong? I still wish they won't be getting out of the market someday. That will be so sad.

10 years ago, in the era of Palm/PDA. I bought my first PDA and discover how great was a portable e-book reader. Then I bought few more PDA until recently my Sony TH-55 just broke down. So bad Sony will not produce Clie anymore.

Yes, the screen of a PDA were so small and my eyes become so tired after long reading. As I'm gaining a bit of age the situation is getting worse. (Although I'm only 30...)

I enjoy surfing the Amazon and come across the Kindles and was wondering why it's so hot recently. Then I read through a lot of websites, product reviews about dedicated ebook devices and finally get my way to here - the mobile read. I decide try the E-ink device. I chose Sony because of the good-looking design and happy experience with the Clie.

I'm Chinese but I love reading Japanese novels, and in Japanese. What a pity all the ebook reader does not support Japanese now. I get addicted to a writer whose books are usually over 1 thousand pages and very heavy. I'd like to read them again someday.

Therefore I think of reading the PDF/jpeg file which I download from the web, with the Sony reader. After some research, I learnt to convert the image files into the BBeB format. Before I get the reader, I already did some conversion. And fortunately, they works!

On Japanese webs, some people also enjoy reading with Sony reader, some use the older model PRS 505, some buy the latest one PRS 600. Well, I think they are right, Japanese prints(they print their novels in small size - the books are just about same size as PRS 300) on the PRS 300 screen is quite small. But readable... Anyway I'll keep trying!

I'm quite impressed with the speed of page turning. I try to load a 60MB Japanese book. Apart from the loading take some longer time, page turning is the same. Just like reading a real book. On Youtube I saw someone upload a video showing how slow the older reader(PRS 505) was when reading PDF. And I was quite worried. Luckily, that does not apply to my PRS 300!

Cheers!!

helenching78 · 12-28-2009, 06:05 AM

I haven't read English books for long time. Now I'm getting a ebook reader I'd like to try out some bestsellers. Do anybody know wether and how I can read mobipocket format in PRS 300? "The book thief" and "The Uncommon Reader" are on my list...

MickeyC · 12-28-2009, 07:27 AM

Hi helenching78 and welcome to MobileRead

Polyglot27 · 12-28-2009, 07:38 AM

Hi Helenching, welcome to the forum. I too read both Chinese and Japanese books and I found a site for free out-of-copyright Japanese books. It is called the Aozora Bunko at this link. http://www.aozora.gr.jp/
The Sony cannot read MobiPocket format books. However the BeBook, which is called the 翰林in Chinese speaking countries can read many formats and languages, including Chinese and Japanese. I would be surprised if it is not available in Hong Kong. It has the same e-ink screen as the Sony. Please look at this article on the Wikipedia site:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BeBook
I myself am using the Cybook made by Bookeen. This reader is MobiPocket compatible and the books I read on my eBook reader are mainly English and French classics which I have downloaded from various sites.

kennyc · 12-28-2009, 07:49 AM

Welcome!

helenching78 · 12-28-2009, 08:58 AM

Hi everybody!
Yeah, I know Aozora Bunko. I may convert some of the text to BBeB and install to my Sony reader someday later. But my interest is still on the more modern novels. My favourite detective stories(So called "Mysteries" in Japan), and light novels.

China-produced ebook readers... regretfully, is rarely sold in Hong Kong. Nobody seems to read in HK! Older people may read more but they rarely use mobile device. I can find more of them if I go back to those large bookstores in mainland China. Maybe a good idea if I happen to want a larger 6" screen later!

Polyglot27, you're really a multilangual reader! Just see whether I can learn French in the far far future...

Polyglot27 · 12-29-2009, 04:46 PM

Hi HelenChing. Actually for modern books, I mostly read non-fiction. In Japanese I am reading a lot about the Pacific War seen from the Japanese side. There are several very good writers on this subject, like 半籘一利 and 保阪正康. I also like historical fiction and enjoyed the original 太平記 last year.
I would like some recommendations of "Japanese mysteries". Book-Off has a big shop in Paris and has a good selection of used Japanese books.

helenching78 · 12-31-2009, 10:47 AM

There is a Book Off in Paris?? Wow.
My favourite writer now is Kyougoku Natsuhiko京極夏彥. He is famous for the unique 妖怪mystery stories - the "monster" is in people's heart. His writing is quite pedantic. I'm not good at history, though. Some of the historical background is difficult for me to understand. But I like the scientific and philosophical part. Better to start with the 京極堂 series(姑獲鳥の夏、魍魎の匣 and so on)
I also kinda like 宮部美幸, although she is quite longwinded. She wrote a lot of novels and I didn't read all of them. I'd recommend her most famous award-winning 火車 and 理由, though 誰か is my favourite(as it was the first one I read and it's easier to read)

Polyglot27 · 12-31-2009, 12:28 PM

Yes Book Off actually has 2 shops in Paris, a big one for Japanese books and a small one for French and English books.
Thanks for the recommendations. I'll look into them next week.
Actually, I forgot that I do read modern Japanese fiction. I like the samurai detective stories by 池波正太郎, especially the series 剣客商売 and 鬼平犯科帳.
There is going to be a trade fair of e-book readers in Shenzhen next year on March 16th. This is the link: http://www.mobread.com/news/exclusive/2009670.html
Wishing you a Happy New Year with lots of good reading.

helenching78 · 12-31-2009, 10:01 PM

Happy new year!
Yeah, I read the news about the trade fair and I'm interested. Although I'm not sure if it's open to the public. I may drop by if I have the time.
池波正太郎 is famous although I haven't read his fictions. I'll check them out later.(And I like samurai stories^^) Thank you for your recommendation.

Polyglot27 · 01-01-2010, 09:26 AM

Actually, the series I really like is 半七捕物帳 in 6 volumes by 岡本綺堂. He was the writer who created the 捕物帳 genre in Japan. There is a paperback set in the 光文社時代小説文庫. Apparently he was inspired by Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories and created the 半七 character in the first part of the 20th century. I highly recommend it.

12-28-2009, 05:44 AM	#1
helenching78 Member Posts: 17 Karma: 52 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Sony PRS 300	Hello from Hong Kong. My experience with PRS-300 Just bought a Sony ebook Reader PRS 300 from the B&H. I ordered just before the Christmas holiday and received today. Seems working well so far(Still charging it and copying a few books into it) E-ink technology and ebook reader is very poorly known in Hong Kong. I went to look around in local computer shopping malls. I only find one nook(or what I believe what it was), selling at HKD$3000. It seems that everybody only cares about mp3 players/ portable media players. Well, with the whole lots of mp3s/ movies/ comics, I suppose few people ever read books(with text) nowadays... Likely e-book reader won't ever have a market in Hong Kong? I still wish they won't be getting out of the market someday. That will be so sad. 10 years ago, in the era of Palm/PDA. I bought my first PDA and discover how great was a portable e-book reader. Then I bought few more PDA until recently my Sony TH-55 just broke down. So bad Sony will not produce Clie anymore. Yes, the screen of a PDA were so small and my eyes become so tired after long reading. As I'm gaining a bit of age the situation is getting worse. (Although I'm only 30...) I enjoy surfing the Amazon and come across the Kindles and was wondering why it's so hot recently. Then I read through a lot of websites, product reviews about dedicated ebook devices and finally get my way to here - the mobile read. I decide try the E-ink device. I chose Sony because of the good-looking design and happy experience with the Clie. I'm Chinese but I love reading Japanese novels, and in Japanese. What a pity all the ebook reader does not support Japanese now. I get addicted to a writer whose books are usually over 1 thousand pages and very heavy. I'd like to read them again someday. Therefore I think of reading the PDF/jpeg file which I download from the web, with the Sony reader. After some research, I learnt to convert the image files into the BBeB format. Before I get the reader, I already did some conversion. And fortunately, they works! On Japanese webs, some people also enjoy reading with Sony reader, some use the older model PRS 505, some buy the latest one PRS 600. Well, I think they are right, Japanese prints(they print their novels in small size - the books are just about same size as PRS 300) on the PRS 300 screen is quite small. But readable... Anyway I'll keep trying! I'm quite impressed with the speed of page turning. I try to load a 60MB Japanese book. Apart from the loading take some longer time, page turning is the same. Just like reading a real book. On Youtube I saw someone upload a video showing how slow the older reader(PRS 505) was when reading PDF. And I was quite worried. Luckily, that does not apply to my PRS 300! Cheers!! Last edited by helenching78; 12-28-2009 at 06:12 AM.

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12-28-2009, 06:05 AM	#2
helenching78 Member Posts: 17 Karma: 52 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Sony PRS 300	I haven't read English books for long time. Now I'm getting a ebook reader I'd like to try out some bestsellers. Do anybody know wether and how I can read mobipocket format in PRS 300? "The book thief" and "The Uncommon Reader" are on my list...

12-28-2009, 07:27 AM	#3
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,731 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	Hi helenching78 and welcome to MobileRead

12-28-2009, 07:38 AM	#4
Polyglot27 Addict Posts: 231 Karma: 5588994 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Paris, France Device: Cybook Gen3, Archos 80 G9, Sony PRS-650, Sony T1, Asus MemoPad.	Hi Helenching, welcome to the forum. I too read both Chinese and Japanese books and I found a site for free out-of-copyright Japanese books. It is called the Aozora Bunko at this link. http://www.aozora.gr.jp/ The Sony cannot read MobiPocket format books. However the BeBook, which is called the 翰林in Chinese speaking countries can read many formats and languages, including Chinese and Japanese. I would be surprised if it is not available in Hong Kong. It has the same e-ink screen as the Sony. Please look at this article on the Wikipedia site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BeBook I myself am using the Cybook made by Bookeen. This reader is MobiPocket compatible and the books I read on my eBook reader are mainly English and French classics which I have downloaded from various sites.

12-28-2009, 07:49 AM	#5
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,891 Karma: 119230421 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	Welcome!

12-28-2009, 08:58 AM	#6
helenching78 Member Posts: 17 Karma: 52 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Sony PRS 300	Hi everybody! Yeah, I know Aozora Bunko. I may convert some of the text to BBeB and install to my Sony reader someday later. But my interest is still on the more modern novels. My favourite detective stories(So called "Mysteries" in Japan), and light novels. China-produced ebook readers... regretfully, is rarely sold in Hong Kong. Nobody seems to read in HK! Older people may read more but they rarely use mobile device. I can find more of them if I go back to those large bookstores in mainland China. Maybe a good idea if I happen to want a larger 6" screen later! Polyglot27, you're really a multilangual reader! Just see whether I can learn French in the far far future...

12-29-2009, 04:46 PM	#7
Polyglot27 Addict Posts: 231 Karma: 5588994 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Paris, France Device: Cybook Gen3, Archos 80 G9, Sony PRS-650, Sony T1, Asus MemoPad.	Hi HelenChing. Actually for modern books, I mostly read non-fiction. In Japanese I am reading a lot about the Pacific War seen from the Japanese side. There are several very good writers on this subject, like 半籘一利 and 保阪正康. I also like historical fiction and enjoyed the original 太平記 last year. I would like some recommendations of "Japanese mysteries". Book-Off has a big shop in Paris and has a good selection of used Japanese books.

12-31-2009, 10:47 AM	#8
helenching78 Member Posts: 17 Karma: 52 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Sony PRS 300	There is a Book Off in Paris?? Wow. My favourite writer now is Kyougoku Natsuhiko京極夏彥. He is famous for the unique 妖怪mystery stories - the "monster" is in people's heart. His writing is quite pedantic. I'm not good at history, though. Some of the historical background is difficult for me to understand. But I like the scientific and philosophical part. Better to start with the 京極堂 series(姑獲鳥の夏、魍魎の匣 and so on) I also kinda like 宮部美幸, although she is quite longwinded. She wrote a lot of novels and I didn't read all of them. I'd recommend her most famous award-winning 火車 and 理由, though 誰か is my favourite(as it was the first one I read and it's easier to read)

12-31-2009, 12:28 PM	#9
Polyglot27 Addict Posts: 231 Karma: 5588994 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Paris, France Device: Cybook Gen3, Archos 80 G9, Sony PRS-650, Sony T1, Asus MemoPad.	Yes Book Off actually has 2 shops in Paris, a big one for Japanese books and a small one for French and English books. Thanks for the recommendations. I'll look into them next week. Actually, I forgot that I do read modern Japanese fiction. I like the samurai detective stories by 池波正太郎, especially the series 剣客商売 and 鬼平犯科帳. There is going to be a trade fair of e-book readers in Shenzhen next year on March 16th. This is the link: http://www.mobread.com/news/exclusive/2009670.html Wishing you a Happy New Year with lots of good reading.

12-31-2009, 10:01 PM	#10
helenching78 Member Posts: 17 Karma: 52 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Sony PRS 300	Happy new year! Yeah, I read the news about the trade fair and I'm interested. Although I'm not sure if it's open to the public. I may drop by if I have the time. 池波正太郎 is famous although I haven't read his fictions. I'll check them out later.(And I like samurai stories^^) Thank you for your recommendation.

01-01-2010, 09:26 AM	#11
Polyglot27 Addict Posts: 231 Karma: 5588994 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Paris, France Device: Cybook Gen3, Archos 80 G9, Sony PRS-650, Sony T1, Asus MemoPad.	Actually, the series I really like is 半七捕物帳 in 6 volumes by 岡本綺堂. He was the writer who created the 捕物帳 genre in Japan. There is a paperback set in the 光文社時代小説文庫. Apparently he was inspired by Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories and created the 半七 character in the first part of the 20th century. I highly recommend it.

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