sony Library software - does it work OK on a Mac?

andym · 07-12-2011, 01:08 PM

Hi

I'm debating taking the plunge and getting an eReader. But I saw some (old) reports that the sony software didn't work well on Macs. There are a couple of threads on here from 2009. Should I from the silence since then that the problems have been fixed?

Any Mac users out there who can reassure me? I'm using Snow Leopard - if it matters.

I already have a lot of DRMed ePub books that I would want to transfer to the reader, and I'm assuming Calibre is only an option for non-DRMed books.

Thanks.

pidgeon92 · 07-12-2011, 01:24 PM

Yes, it works fine, though if your Mac is newer and runs natively in 64-bit mode you will most likely need to run it in 32-bit to get it to work properly. This has been my experience, and has been reported by other Mac users here as well.

Alternately, just use Calibre. You can use Calibre to store and upload DRMd books, you just can't view/convert them with Calibre.

mwheinz · 07-12-2011, 02:08 PM

The sony reader software was the worst part of owning a sony. The last straw was discovering that i had to reboot my new mbp into a special mode to use it. Now i use a nook.

There's a lot to like about sony readers, but if you use a mac, don't bother using sony's software, just use calibre.

elcreative · 07-12-2011, 02:11 PM

32-bit is hardly a special mode and SRL is hardly the only program that uses it... but, agreed, calibre is cool and I've happily been using Sony readers since bfore they even did any Mac software... and my 505 still goes everywhere with me thought the 600, 350 and 650 are getting increasing use as genre dedicated platforms...

andym · 07-12-2011, 02:32 PM

Thanks a lot guys. If it works in 32-bit then that will be OK, at least for the moment.

Am I mistaken thinking thatI can't load ePub DRM books with Calibre?

mwheinz · 07-12-2011, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elcreative

32-bit is hardly a special mode and SRL is hardly the only program that uses it...

Name another. Sony didn't even need to do it, they were just to lazy to compile their special (yet unnecessary) USB driver for both modes.

I can hardly feel sympathy for a company that requires a custom USB device driver for no sane purpose whatsoever, that's too lazy to check a single box in XCode, and more than willing to ignore hundreds of error reports on their website.

mwheinz · 07-12-2011, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andym

Am I mistaken thinking thatI can't load ePub DRM books with Calibre?

You can manage your DRM'ed books with Calibre, copy them to the Sony, remove them, et cetera, you just can read them with the Calibre viewer.

dynabook · 07-12-2011, 03:17 PM

AFAIK I am running my MacBook Pro in 64-bit mode and have had no problem with the Reader Library software. I don't recall having to reboot my Mac into a special mode but it has been a long time. Anyone who can tell me how to find out if I am running in 32-bit mode? Or is just the software running in 32-bit mode? Using Snow Leopard.

Edit: NM. Googling answered all my questions.

mwheinz · 07-12-2011, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dynabook

AFAIK I am running my MacBook Pro in 64-bit mode and have had no problem with the Reader Library software.

db, I haven't tried this since february, when I got my 2011 MBP, so if there's an upgrade to the Reader app since then, maybe things have changed?

However, for version 3.3 of the Reader app, if the App can see your Sony Reader, then you're definitely running in 32-bit mode. If the app runs, but can't show you the contents of your reader, then you're in 64-bit mode.

This web page shows how to tell what mode your machine is in:

http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/artic..._snow_leopard/

Edit: As far as I know, Apple didn't start having laptops boot into 64-bit automatically till 2010 or 2011, if your machine is older than that, it is probably booting into 32-bit mode even if it is 64-bit capable.

anjirlly · 07-12-2011, 06:22 PM

Even when booted in 32-bit mode, my mid-2010 macbook will not recognize my 950. The externally powered USB hub that I've tried haven't helped, either. I use my partner's older mac to transfer books to the ereader.

sonyreaderfan · 07-12-2011, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pidgeon92

Alternately, just use Calibre. You can use Calibre to store and upload DRMd books, you just can't view/convert them with Calibre.

Is there an alternative to using Sony Reader Library program to load borrowed ebooks from elibraries ? I use only that program to load library books. With library books, I have to use the Reader Library program because I can't sideload them. The Sony Library program has to authenticate and time-stamp the books with expiration date. I'm using a Mac so ADE doesn't work for the Sony Reader. Does Calibre work with library books?

elemenoP · 07-12-2011, 07:42 PM

For library books, there is no way around using Sony Reader Library OR ADE. Even if you have Calibre and all the DRM-removal tools in place, you will still need Sony or ADE software to turn the acsm file (which is a reference to the actual file) into an epub file.

I am on a 2010 MBP running OS X, don't know what bit mode, and I can run the Sony software with no problems.

eP

Bookworm_Girl · 07-12-2011, 09:22 PM

This support page from Apple tells you "which Macs can use the 64-bit kernel in Mac OS X v10.6 and which use it by default." It also tells you how to check your system.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3770

According to the page, these Macs use the 64-bit kernel by default in Mac OS X v10.6:
Mac Pro (Mid 2010)
MacBook Pro (Early 2011)
iMac (21.5-inch and 27-inch, Mid 2011)

These Macs support the 64-bit kernel, but do not use it by default:
iMac (Early 2008) and later
MacBook Pro (Early 2008 through Mid 2010)
Mac Pro (Early 2008) and later
Mac mini (Mid 2010)

pidgeon92 · 07-12-2011, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elemenoP

For library books, there is no way around using Sony Reader Library OR ADE. Even if you have Calibre and all the DRM-removal tools in place, you will still need Sony or ADE software to turn the acsm file (which is a reference to the actual file) into an epub file.

Yes, you need Adobe Digital Editions. Then you can use Calibre to do the transfer. You don't need the Sony software.

sonyreaderfan · 07-13-2011, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pidgeon92

Yes, you need Adobe Digital Editions. Then you can use Calibre to do the transfer. You don't need the Sony software.

How does that work? I'm using a Mac and am not aware that way works on a mac. Just for Windows? How does it work on the Windows?

07-12-2011, 01:08 PM	#1
andym Groupie Posts: 189 Karma: 793 Join Date: Oct 2006	sony Library software - does it work OK on a Mac? Hi I'm debating taking the plunge and getting an eReader. But I saw some (old) reports that the sony software didn't work well on Macs. There are a couple of threads on here from 2009. Should I from the silence since then that the problems have been fixed? Any Mac users out there who can reassure me? I'm using Snow Leopard - if it matters. I already have a lot of DRMed ePub books that I would want to transfer to the reader, and I'm assuming Calibre is only an option for non-DRMed books. Thanks. Last edited by andym; 07-12-2011 at 01:14 PM.

07-12-2011, 02:32 PM	#5
andym Groupie Posts: 189 Karma: 793 Join Date: Oct 2006	Thanks a lot guys. If it works in 32-bit then that will be OK, at least for the moment. Am I mistaken thinking thatI can't load ePub DRM books with Calibre? Last edited by andym; 07-12-2011 at 02:34 PM.

07-12-2011, 03:17 PM	#8
dynabook Techno-geek Posts: 225 Karma: 1116651 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: PRS-T1 (Black), PRS-T3S (Black), Kobo Aura ONE	AFAIK I am running my MacBook Pro in 64-bit mode and have had no problem with the Reader Library software. I don't recall having to reboot my Mac into a special mode but it has been a long time. Anyone who can tell me how to find out if I am running in 32-bit mode? Or is just the software running in 32-bit mode? Using Snow Leopard. Edit: NM. Googling answered all my questions. Last edited by dynabook; 07-12-2011 at 03:30 PM.

07-12-2011, 09:22 PM	#13
Bookworm_Girl E-reader Enthusiast Posts: 4,873 Karma: 36536965 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Southwest, USA Device: Kindle Oasis 3; Kobo Aura One; iPad Mini 5	This support page from Apple tells you "which Macs can use the 64-bit kernel in Mac OS X v10.6 and which use it by default." It also tells you how to check your system. http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3770 According to the page, these Macs use the 64-bit kernel by default in Mac OS X v10.6: Mac Pro (Mid 2010) MacBook Pro (Early 2011) iMac (21.5-inch and 27-inch, Mid 2011) These Macs support the 64-bit kernel, but do not use it by default: iMac (Early 2008) and later MacBook Pro (Early 2008 through Mid 2010) Mac Pro (Early 2008) and later Mac mini (Mid 2010) Last edited by Bookworm_Girl; 07-12-2011 at 09:25 PM. Reason: Expanded list

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07-12-2011, 01:24 PM	#2
pidgeon92 Wizard Posts: 3,144 Karma: 8426142 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Device: Kindle PW2, Kindle Voyage, Kindle DXG, Boox M90, Kobo Aura HD	Yes, it works fine, though if your Mac is newer and runs natively in 64-bit mode you will most likely need to run it in 32-bit to get it to work properly. This has been my experience, and has been reported by other Mac users here as well. Alternately, just use Calibre. You can use Calibre to store and upload DRMd books, you just can't view/convert them with Calibre.

07-12-2011, 02:08 PM	#3
mwheinz award-winning bozo Posts: 258 Karma: 172703 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Philadelphia Device: Kobo Libra 2	The sony reader software was the worst part of owning a sony. The last straw was discovering that i had to reboot my new mbp into a special mode to use it. Now i use a nook. There's a lot to like about sony readers, but if you use a mac, don't bother using sony's software, just use calibre.

07-12-2011, 02:11 PM	#4
elcreative Wizard Posts: 2,888 Karma: 5875940 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: PRS505, 600, 350, 650, Nexus 7, Note III, iPad 4 etc	32-bit is hardly a special mode and SRL is hardly the only program that uses it... but, agreed, calibre is cool and I've happily been using Sony readers since bfore they even did any Mac software... and my 505 still goes everywhere with me thought the 600, 350 and 650 are getting increasing use as genre dedicated platforms...

07-12-2011, 06:22 PM	#10
anjirlly Groupie Posts: 155 Karma: 58410 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: SE Michigan Device: Kindle on Android phone; PB360; Sony 950	Even when booted in 32-bit mode, my mid-2010 macbook will not recognize my 950. The externally powered USB hub that I've tried haven't helped, either. I use my partner's older mac to transfer books to the ereader.

07-12-2011, 07:42 PM	#12
elemenoP Wizard Posts: 1,717 Karma: 3790058 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NYC Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Sony 650	For library books, there is no way around using Sony Reader Library OR ADE. Even if you have Calibre and all the DRM-removal tools in place, you will still need Sony or ADE software to turn the acsm file (which is a reference to the actual file) into an epub file. I am on a 2010 MBP running OS X, don't know what bit mode, and I can run the Sony software with no problems. eP