Astak Mentor eBook readers with WiFi and Touchscreen (read-only)

[jes1]

I also prefer the PRC format. And I am very pleased with the PDFs I have checked out on this firmware version. The ones I have tried have been much better, with a couple more zoom levels to make them easier to read.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

I have so much to learn, and only a few weeks to learn it!!

Isn't that the most fun part of getting something like this? Finding out the cool things it can do?


(btw, I'm looking forward to your review!)

[Musicman]

Originally Posted by jes1

I opened a couple of Baen books in LIT, but it is not my favorite format for the EZ-Reader in this, or the last firmware version. LIT books open slower, and the pages turn a lot slower than the other formats that I have tried. I have not tried opening a book converted in Calibre from another format, so don't know how that works.

Thanks for the response.

From what you say about LIT format, I will not concern myself with it and stick to PRC until the Ereader DRM firmware update.

[NeweReader]

Originally Posted by Robertb

By God, we would do almost anything to help you. Stop worrying and get ready to enjoy!!

Hi Robertb,

I plan to get a Pocket Pro also, once I decide what color I want. (wish you had a dark green one) Anyway, on to my question.

Actually getting my 6" EZ Reader was a little difficult and frustrating. There was no statement while ordering it that said that it would require a signature on delivery. So of course, I wasn't home and they didn't leave it. What I hoped would have been a quick and easy delivery turned into a a frustrating mess that took over a week to finally get my device. I only tell this story to learn from it, not complain. Will the delivery of the Pocket Pro also require a signature? If so, will you put a notice to this affect on your site during the ordering process? Maybe this will save someone else from this experience.

I think requiring a signature is a good thing. It is just helpful to know ahead of time so I (and others) can plan for it.

Thanks for all the help you provide,
NeweReader

[griffonwing]

I just saw this on Astak.com

http://www.astak.com/2009_8_7.asp

The page is dated Aug 7th, 2009 (today)

...The 5-inch Pocket PRO reader will sell at a promotional price of $199, and is now available for preorders online at www.theezreader.com and www.astak.com. The new devices are predicted to ship out by the end of August....

Does this mean a $30 reimbursement or credit towards books for those that have already pre-ordered at $229?


UPDATE
TheEZReader.com also lowered the preorder to $199 as well!!

Looks like Barnacle Bob took out his cutlass and successfully mutinied against the captain of the Astak ship! Heheh

[Jane A]

Originally Posted by jes1

I opened a couple of Baen books in LIT, but it is not my favorite format for the EZ-Reader in this, or the last firmware version. LIT books open slower, and the pages turn a lot slower than the other formats that I have tried. I have not tried opening a book converted in Calibre from another format, so don't know how that works.

Hmm, the problems reported with the non DRM Lit files concern me. I got used to this format when I first started reading ebooks because of ConvertLit GUI and now it's my preference. I've been sorely tempted by the PocketPro (especially with this new price!), but now I'm not so sure. When other people get their units can they chime in with their experiences using Lit? It would be ever so much appreciated and it might save me some money!

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by Jane A

Hmm, the problems reported with the non DRM Lit files concern me. I got used to this format when I first started reading ebooks because of ConvertLit GUI and now it's my preference. I've been sorely tempted by the PocketPro (especially with this new price!), but now I'm not so sure. When other people get their units can they chime in with their experiences using Lit? It would be ever so much appreciated and it might save me some money!

The experience with the 5" should be the same visually as with the 6" EZ Reader. If you ask other EZReader owners and get their experiences, you can most likely base the 5" off of that.

I only say that because if you do choose to wait until the owners of the 5" receive their units and can review your request, it may very well be too late for you to get one at the introductory price.

The price may last for a few months, or it may be over as soon as they start shipping. It's unknown at this time.

Robertb might have an answer when he logs in today.

[Jane A]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

The experience with the 5" should be the same visually as with the 6" EZ Reader. If you ask other EZReader owners and get their experiences, you can most likely base the 5" off of that.

I only say that because if you do choose to wait until the owners of the 5" receive their units and can review your request, it may very well be too late for you to get one at the introductory price.

The price may last for a few months, or it may be over as soon as they start shipping. It's unknown at this time.

Robertb might have an answer when he logs in today.

True, I thought of that, but missing the discount is better than being excited about a new toy and then not having it meet expectations. Perhaps I should consider weaning myself off of Lit, it seems pretty outdated at this point. (sigh)

So Robertb, any comments about this?

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by Jane A

Hmm, the problems reported with the non DRM Lit files concern me. I got used to this format when I first started reading ebooks because of ConvertLit GUI and now it's my preference.

LIT isn't my first choice on the EZ Reader either, but the advantage of the LIT format is that it is very amenable to format shifting. Calibre will do a good job of converting LIT to MOBI or ePub, both of which work well on the EZ Reader with the latest firmware (similar to the firmware that will be on the EZ Reader Pocket Pro). A third choice is FB2 which works very well on the EZ Reader, and which Calibre now supports as an output option. All three (ePub, MOBI, FB2) use different reading software on the Hanlins, so you get to choose which you like best and Calibre will convert for you.

Another option on the EZ Reader (and hopefully soon on the Pocket Pro) is the OpenInkPot firmware. It does not support LIT directly, but I buy a lot of LIT ebooks and convert them to OEB format using ConvertLIT and these work well under OpenInkPot. Or you can again use Calibre to convert the DRM-free LIT to ePub or MOBI or FB2 - all supported under OpenInkPot (FB2 even has two readers to choose from, FBReader and CoolReader).

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by Jane A

True, I thought of that, but missing the discount is better than being excited about a new toy and then not having it meet expectations. Perhaps I should consider weaning myself off of Lit, it seems pretty outdated at this point. (sigh)

So Robertb, any comments about this?

Many people prefer epub over lit, and I believe Calibre can batch convert them all for you, although you might want to check out the Calibre forums here and make sure.

Get Calibre, convert a few over, check out the differences, and if you like it, batch convert and purchase the PPro!

But I'd also still love to hear Robertb's take on it. (I hate making assumptions, it makes an ass out of you and umption.)

[Jane A]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

LIT isn't my first choice on the EZ Reader either, but the advantage of the LIT format is that it is very amenable to format shifting. Calibre will do a good job of converting LIT to MOBI or ePub, both of which work well on the EZ Reader with the latest firmware (similar to the firmware that will be on the EZ Reader Pocket Pro). A third choice is FB2 which works very well on the EZ Reader, and which Calibre now supports as an output option. All three (ePub, MOBI, FB2) use different reading software on the Hanlins, so you get to choose which you like best and Calibre will convert for you.

I haven't messed with FB2, I'll check it out. A question - I've looked at most of these formats on my PC, do they appear differently on an ebook reader? I suppose I ought to download some of these programs onto my Ipaq to see how they look there.

Originally Posted by wallcraft

Another option on the EZ Reader (and hopefully soon on the Pocket Pro) is the OpenInkPot firmware. It does not support LIT directly, but I buy a lot of LIT ebooks and convert them to OEB format using ConvertLIT and these work well under OpenInkPot. Or you can again use Calibre to convert the DRM-free LIT to ePub or MOBI or FB2 - all supported under OpenInkPot (FB2 even has two readers to choose from, FBReader and CoolReader).

I don't know anything about OpenInkPot. I'll do a bit of browsing through MobileReads to educate myself.

[Jane A]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

Many people prefer epub over lit, and I believe Calibre can batch convert them all for you, although you might want to check out the Calibre forums here and make sure.

Get Calibre, convert a few over, check out the differences, and if you like it, batch convert and purchase the PPro!

But I'd also still love to hear Robertb's take on it. (I hate making assumptions, it makes an ass out of you and umption.)

Actually, I use Calibre, especially for the books that I don't buy in Lit format. I strip the DRM, load them on Calibre, and then convert them to Lit.

You're doing a good job of talking me into a PPro purchase. Are you getting a commission??

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by Jane A

Actually, I use Calibre, especially for the books that I don't buy in Lit format. I strip the DRM, load them on Calibre, and then convert them to Lit.

You're doing a good job of talking me into a PPro purchase. Are you getting a commission??

Are you kidding? I market for them, I've created a logo for them, I've promoted them, but Robertb even made me pay 30 bucks MORE than the intro price!

How that for gratitude!

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by Jane A

A question - I've looked at most of these formats on my PC, do they appear differently on an ebook reader?

Yes. In addition to the smaller screen size the Reader software could be from a 3rd party rather than the format provider and even when it is the original provider's software (e.g. on the Pocket Pro, mobile Adobe Digial Editions is used for PDFs and ePubs) the device's limitations can lead to fewer features. The desktop ADE displays ePubs similarly to an EInk device, but the closest desktop analogue is Sony's Windows ebook Reader because it is actually using an early version of mobile ADE. The current Sony software emulates a PRS-700, and I assume the next upgrade will emulate a PRS-600 with the latest mobile ADE. Don't forget that a 600x800 window on your desktop is probably bigger than the 600x800 EInk screen.

Originally Posted by Jane A

I don't know anything about OpenInkPot. I'll do a bit of browsing through MobileReads to educate myself.

In the case of OpenInkPot, its primary Reader software is FBReader and it looks identical on a Linux Desktop as on the EZ Reader (and very similar on a Windows Desktop). So download FBReader and give it a try. It does not maintain as much formatting as some other readers, but it is very customizable and at least some of that customization is available under OpenInkPot.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by Musicman

I have been testing different formats on my EZ-Reader with the new Firmware upgrade and ran into a problem opening books in LIT format (Non DRM).

I used Calibre to convert a book into multiple formats and my EZ-Reader recognizes the book in LIT format, but will not open it.

Has anyone been successful in opening a book in LIT format on the EZ-Reader?

Am I doing something wrong in my conversion with Calibre?

I found that so far I like the PRC format best, and am extremely happy with Adobe Digital Editions which allows me to read Library books.

LIT is one of the more complicated formats and the EZ Reader is slow about rendering and cannot deal with some files at all, although most will work after a fashion.

I am still evaluating the various formats in the new firmware using the EZ Reader basic and have found that ePUB is pretty much on par with the Mobi format although links don't work in ePUB yet. I was pleased that Hanlin kept most of the rendering they originally produced for MOBI does it is as complete as it was before, minus the DRM support. I was afraid they would lose that when the switch happened.

The new PDF is very good also on most documents, FB2 remains good and Palm-DOC is quite usable. Even word and RTF are workable. I will probably take the time to do a formal comparison at some point.

I did a review of the earlier firmware and sent it directly to Astak for their action on the items I found. The new firmware is really good now and the product is on par with all the others out there IMHO.

Dale