PRS-950 Getting started with a Sony PRS 950

[Alleyoop]

Hi, I've purchase a PRS 950 for my wife for Christmas. She loves reading, and, keen to give her a great ereader experience, I did a little research and the 950 was what I came up with. I would like to set it up for her, so that over the Christmas/New Year period she can begin reading immediately. I would appreciate any help and tips.
So far I have only charged it, connected to WiFi and updated the software. I would like to purchase a book or two, connect to our local library and possibly join a large ebook International Library.
I have had a quick look at Calibre and would like to install it.
I notice that the Internet Application connection shows some preconfigured sites, but there doesn't appear to be a search engine. Do I download Calibre to my computer and transfer it to the reader on a Flash Drive, or is there a way to configure browsing on the internet?
Thanks in advance.

[twinszz]

Could you be more clear with your question? What are you asking about to transfer to the reader? Calibre or books?

If you use Calibre, you connect the reader to the computer and transfer books via the software.

You can download directly to the reader via the Sony bookstore, however, I cannot remember if you can access the library and download direct from the 950.

[Alleyoop]

Sorry for the lack of clarity. I don't have anything at all on the reader and the internet connection shows 11 preconfigured sites, such as Wiki and Facebook, so I'm asking how to set up Calibre and how to transfer books to the reader. I presume now, from your answer, it's via connection to my computer. So Calibre doesn't reside on the reader then?
The vendor suggested Calibre as, being in Australia, I am unable to utilise the Sony bookstore on this model. Should have mentioned that at the start.

[redbees]

Alleyoop,

Calibre is used on your desktop or laptop to store and organize ebooks, and to transfer those books to and remove them from your ereader. You don't put calibre itself on the ereader. Calibre also does much more than this, including converting between ebook formats (like from mobi to epub).

The PRS-950 reads epub files, mainly, along with pdf, Sony's no longer supported lrf format, and some others I can't recall right now. If you buy or download ebooks free from MobileRead's library of classics, it will be easiest for you if get epubs to begin with, as you may not wish to learn about converting between formats right away.

If you want to borrow ebooks from a library using the Overdrive system, I suggest that you consult the sticky thread at the top of Sony forum, called Digital Editions and the Public Library, to start.

Good luck.

[Alleyoop]

Thank you, that's very helpful. I'll get started with Calibre and get to Overdrive next.

[JSWolf]

And then there is Reader Library that I use because I find it very easy to use to manage content on my 650.

[Alleyoop]

Thanks, I'll do that when I have some content to manage .

OK, I've downloaded an Epub book from my local library and I can open it in Adobe Digital Editions on my PC.
Now for the Reader. When I plug it in to the PC I'm given the option to install the Sony Library software. Is this where I should be installing an alternative? As I posted previously, I'm in Australia and the vendor of the 950 states that the Sony Library is not able to be accessed from this model here. How do I transfer the book from PC to the reader?

[Alleyoop]

I've transferred the book from the PC to the Reader via Calibre, but when I attempt to open the book it says 'Protected by Digital Rights Management'.
I've removed the book and then re sent it but the message persists.
I haven't installed the Sony Library.

[petercreasey]

Originally Posted by Alleyoop

I've downloaded an Epub book from my local library and I can open it in Adobe Digital Editions on my PC. ... How do I transfer the book from PC to the reader?

A, Using Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) as you look at the ebook icons in ADE with your PRS 950 hooked up via USB, drag the ebook icon from ADE to your PRS 950. NOTE: You may need to install Sony Reader Library and authorize your PRS 950 before ADE will be synced up.

On another slant, don't listen to the people who pan the Sony Reader Library. It is a worthwhile resource to be installed onto your PC.

You are VERY fortunate to be the owner of a PRS 950. Don't let anything/anyone persuade you differently.

[redbees]

You will need to install either Adobe Digital Editions or Sony Reader for PC on you computer and authorize your computer in order to open books you borrow from the library and DRM'd books you purchase from ebook vendors. Do you already have an Adobe account? If so, use the email address associated with the account.

If you wish to use calibre to manage your books (once they are on your computer) rather than using Sony's software or ADE, be sure to set the Sony software NOT to open when you connect your reader. You don't want both calibre and Reader for PC to be scanning the reader at the same time. This can lead to corrupted data. This applies to all software that could be scanning the reader -- only one program that accesses the reader should be open at a time.

Some dislike the latest iteration of Sony's software, and you don't have to use it to manage your books. The purpose of installing it would merely be to unlock the DRM'd books you borrow or buy. (Meaning it would open the .ascm file you download which gives access to the actual ebook.)

If you wish, you can try both ADE and Sony's Reader for PC for initially opening your ebooks. Be sure to use the same email address for both accounts when you authorize your computer, or you could have problems accessing purchased books from different sources. If ADE is present on your computer at the time you install Sony's software, it will detect it and ask if you want to use the same account to register. If Sony's software is present when you install ADE, it will use the same address you used for your Sony registration, I think.

[Alleyoop]

Thanks, it seems to be a great reader, I'll be a lot happier when I can actually read a book on it!

Here's where I'm up to. I've now purchased an epub book also, and I have transferred it to the Reader via Calibre. It also will not open due to the 'Protected by DRM' message. So, I have two books on the Reader, one borrowed and one purchased, and neither will open due to the DRM restriction.
I'm wondering if the problem might be this. When I installed Adobe Digital Editions I was asked about permissions for other machines and I chose just the PC. This may be the Adobe Account you referred to redbees. Navigating around ADE I can't see any way I can change this. Should I reinstall?
I appreciate the help, I'm sure I'm getting close now, the different softwares and their functions is just a little unfamiliar to me. I'm sure glad I've elected to do this prior to giving the Reader to my wife. If she were trying to set it up on Christmas Day she might end up throwing it at me! On the other hand, she could possibly set it up in 7 minutes! .

[redbees]

Alleyoop,

Firstly, I think that with your computer authorized with ADE, you should be able to open the book *in* ADE. Is this the case?

If yes, then attach your ereader to the computer via usb with ADE open, and ADE should detect it and ask if you want to register the reader also. I am very sorry for neglecting to mention that you also had to authorize the ereader! I did all this a year ago and I only use ADE to get books onto my computer, after which I disinfect them and then use calibre to load them onto my ereader. So, if someone with more knowledge of ADE has clarifications or corrections to add, please do so.

If this is unsuccessful, and you just want to open and read a darn book, attach your reader to the computer and allow the installation of the reviled Sony software. Use the same email address you used with Adobe when registering. You will need to authorize both your computer and reader with Sony. I *have* used Sony's software to open .ascm files and to transfer books to my reader so I am sure of my instructions regarding their software. As you are aware, you aren't able to buy books from Sony due to georestrictions, but you can use their software to open .ascm files obtained from other ebook dealers.

One of these methods ought to work. Again, sorry for my earlier omission.

[Alleyoop]

Thank you. When I connect the Sony to the PC with ADE open it doesn't appear to be recognized. I can see the Sony's folders on my desktop.
Turns out my wife already has an Adobe account. I found this out as I tried to register. I've looked all over ADE and I cannot find where I can authorize the Sony.

[Alleyoop]

In the library pull down menu I have the option to authorize this computer, but of course, it's already authorized. The Help says to connect the device then open ADE, but it makes no difference, the Sony is still not recognized.
Later: I finally did what most everybody would expect I should, installed the Sony Reader software and then ADE recognized my device. I have an error while authorizing though.
Was it Winston Churchill who said 'one damn thing after another'?

[redbees]

Alleyoop,

Sorry, I don't know how to force ADE to recognize your reader. I opened ADE omy PC and then attached my PRS-950, and it appeared in the lefthand pane. I am relatively certain that the way I registered with Adobe was, when I put Sony's Reader software on my PC, and authorized it, it somehow made me an account with Adobe. Let's see if I can find someone to help us.

I will PM someone who I believe is more knowledgeable than I about ADE. Sorry for the delay, I'm sure it is frustrating. You will love your reader when you are finally able to use it, though.

ETA: I have sent a message to a member who I hope can offer assistance. Since this member is in the US, as am I, and it is getting rather late at night here, there might not be an answer til tomorrow.