sync non-amazon books across paperwhite and PC - Page 3

dan89 · 10-08-2013, 03:42 PM

So, just to sum up.

- If I use .mobi files, I can email those into the amazon cloud and those will download as personal files to my kindle, kindle for ipad, but NOT K4PC.

- if I email them with "convert" in the email subject or pre-convert them in Calibre, they will become AZW3 files in the amazon cloud that will download to my K4PC as well as the other kindle products? Is that correct?

Vmurph · 10-09-2013, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan89

So, just to sum up.

- If I use .mobi files, I can email those into the amazon cloud and those will download as personal files to my kindle, kindle for ipad, but NOT K4PC.

- if I email them with "convert" in the email subject or pre-convert them in Calibre, they will become AZW3 files in the amazon cloud that will download to my K4PC as well as the other kindle products? Is that correct?

It depends on what you mean by "download".

ALL books in the cloud, no matter what the file type, are downloadable to ALL devices and to K4PC. The difference is, the email and "deliver to..." options are available only to Kindle devices and iPads etc, but NOT for K4PC. No matter what file type they are.

That doesn't mean you can't access them in K4PC. It just means they can't be emailed or 'delivered' to it via the website features. You can still get those book in K4PC by using the other method.

The way for K4PC to access the books that are in the cloud, is go into the K4PC program and click on the cloud (or archives?) view, then tap on the books to make them download. To be honest, it's actually easier and faster than using the email or "deliver to..." feature.

In regard to the file type (mobi vs AZW3)... all that affects is their ability to sync with each other to the "furthest page read" and bookmarks etc.

You were saying that you wanted to read on the PC at work and then, at home, pick up where you left off, using your iPad or Kindle. If that's your goal, then you'll have to convert them because Whispersync doesn't support mobi files.

So you'll need to convert them to AZW3 first, then put them on your iPad (or Kindle) using one of the three methods mentioned above: email, deliver, or cloud access. Then with the K4PC program, access the archives/cloud/library (whatever you want to call it) and tap on the books you want downloaded to the K4PC program. And you'll be all set.

HarryT · 10-09-2013, 01:35 AM

Note that you can't email an AZW3 file - only a Mobi file. AZW3 files can only be transferred via USB.

Vmurph · 10-12-2013, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Note that you can't email an AZW3 file - only a Mobi file. AZW3 files can only be transferred via USB.

Oh that's right, I forgot about that. Thank you for correcting that.

OK then the mobi files will have to be emailed to the device with the word "convert" in the subject. Then once they're in the cloud, you can download them while in the K4PC program.

bwaldron · 10-12-2013, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vmurph

OK then the mobi files will have to be emailed to the device with the word "convert" in the subject. Then once they're in the cloud, you can download them while in the K4PC program.

Maybe I'm unlucky, but that hasn't been my experience. Books I send via "send to Kindle" or emailed to one of my Kindles -- even with "convert" -- show up in Amazon's cloud as personal documents, and aren't downloadable via K4PC. The only books I can access via K4PC (without sideloading) or Cloud Reader are those purchased from Amazon.

Since I don't use K4PC much (Cloud Reader not at all), and my books are accessible on all my other devices, I don't worry about it.

johnnyb · 10-12-2013, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwaldron

Maybe I'm unlucky, but that hasn't been my experience. Books I send via "send to Kindle" or emailed to one of my Kindles -- even with "convert" -- show up in Amazon's cloud as personal documents, and aren't downloadable via K4PC. The only books I can access via K4PC (without sideloading) or Cloud Reader are those purchased from Amazon.

Since I don't use K4PC much (Cloud Reader not at all), and my books are accessible on all my other devices, I don't worry about it.

Unfortunately, my experience exactly for Kindle 4 Mac...I wish they would allow that (and Apple doesn't either in their new iBooks for Mac)...

Vmurph · 10-14-2013, 12:21 AM

I am SO sorry. Its been so long since I've used K4PC, I could swear I remembered being able to access everything in our archives, including our "documents". And when HarryT agreed, I just assumed it was so.

But I just now tried it, and you're right, the archives shows purchased Kindle books ONLY; no documents. And the website doesn't even allow us to read those books in the browser using the Cloud Reader plugin.

So I guess the only way to get them into K4PC is to side-load them.

If you had a Kindle device, you'd be able to plug it into the computer and copy the AZW files from the device and load them into K4PC. And they would still be able to sync with each other, because the files passed through Amazon's server first.

Unfortunately, the Kindle app on Apple devices doesn't let us access the books that are in the app. So I'm afraid there's no way to get those AZW's into K4PC. Unless you knew someone with a kindle, who'd be willing to help? Those books are DRM free, so they could be sent to any kindle.

aceflor · 10-14-2013, 12:52 AM

I am a bit confused right now. I am waiting for my PW2 to arrive and will use it with my PW1 and my Samsung Note 8 for my classes, so I'd really like my personal documents to sync correctly. The plan is to use my Samsung Note 8 during the class, and to read further on the PW1 and PW2 at home and outside while the Note is charging.

Until now I did not care because I was reading for pleasure, but have now to read for 3 classes and that includes taking notes, using textbooks that are not Amazon's books and that I needed to convert to mobi with Calibre. The rendering on my Note 8 as well as on my PW1 is brilliant, I can take notes very easily, but I would really like it if I could sync easily between the three devices.

So I have mobi files now in my Calibre, with ASIN and all. If I send them to my kindle email address, are they being automatically converted to azw3 ? And how to make sure they are synced properly between my two PWs?

The reason I am asking is that on the brief test I made, syncing one of those books did not work between my PW and my K4NT, nor between my PW and my Note. I am doing something wrong for sure, but what ?

Vmurph · 10-14-2013, 02:26 AM

@ aceflor:

Whispersync doesn't support mobi format, so they will have to be converted to a Kindle format.

Yes, emailing them will automatically convert them, but only if you type the word convert in the subject.

You can email the files to all 3 devices at once, or you could just email them to one device and then with the other two, go into the archives and click the books you want downloaded. The first way is easier, but I just wanted you to know that both ways will work.

Once they are in your archives, the server automatically knows which file format to give each device. Kindles usually receive AZW's or AZW3's and tablets and smart phones usually receive PRC files.

All file types (except mobi) are supported by Whispersync, so all 3 of your devices will sync, just as you described.

You don't have to do anything special to make them sync-able. But you do need to have the wifi ON when you close a book, and also when you open one. Otherwise they won't be able to communicate with the server.

They usually sync automatically, when you open a book, but occasionally you might have to manually choose "sync to furthest page read" from the menu.

One other thing to note is that (depending on the device) books have to actually be closed or (if on the kindle) return to home page or put in sleep mode, in order for the "furthest page read" to be detected.

The only thing you won't be able to sync is the K4PC (or K4NT) app. Because for some godforsaken reason, Amazon won't let the PC or Mac Kindle Reader access the 'documents' that are in our archives. So there's no way to put the converted (whispersync supported) files in the computer app.

You could try grabbing them from the Paperwhite and then side-loading them into K4NT. I'm not sure if they'll sync that way, but it's worth a try.

Vmurph · 10-14-2013, 02:48 AM

Quick note:
The way you can tell if your book or document is supported by whispersync, is to open the book and click on the menu. If the option: "sync to furthest page read" is greyed out, then it's not sync-able.

A sync-able book or document will always have that option available, even if its the very first time you're opening that book. If it's the first time you're opening it, it'll just tell you that you're already at the furthest page.

For Calibre users: I've noticed that some books (usually AZW's and AZW3's) that have been converted to mobi format and then emailed with the word "convert", will often not be sync-able for some reason. I'm not sure why. I've found that converting them to epub's and then back to mobi again seems to fix this.

So if you're having a problem with a book or document that isn't syncing, try converting it to epub and then convert the new epub to mobi and email that one.

aceflor · 10-14-2013, 03:06 AM

@Vmurph: Karma to you, many thanks. I will now try all again and will report. I think I might have to reconvert them to epub and then again to mobi.

Vmurph · 10-14-2013, 03:18 AM

Good luck!

aceflor · 10-14-2013, 04:13 AM

Thanks, but nope, it did not work. I think it has something to do with the books ASIN, but I don't have the time right now to try to fix it. I'll look again into it later.

aceflor · 10-19-2013, 06:35 AM

Just a quick feedback for anyone who might encounter the same problem in the future: make sure that the ASIN assigned by Calibre is the exact same one as the Amazon ASIN for the KINDLE VERSION of the book.
Calibre did assign my book an ASIN, but it was not the same one as the ASIN I could find on the amazon.com page for the kindle version of the book. I changed the ASIN, reconverted to mobi, had Calibre email the book, and now whispersync works perfectly well.

krazy4katz · 10-20-2013, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jswinden

I cannot send personal documents to my K4PC or K4Mac either. See the screenshot from attached. This screen capture is from the Your Kindle Library web page with Personal Documents selected in the Vew option.

....

Odd. My computer (a Mac) shows up in "Manage my Kindle" and I can download books via the Kindle App. This may be a dumb question, but are you sure your computer is registered as a device on Amazon?

10-14-2013, 02:26 AM	#39
Vmurph Cat Whisperer Posts: 239 Karma: 2490708 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: (USA) In the Hall of the Mountain King Device: Kindles Oasis 3, Kindle Oasis 1, and iPhone XS Max	@ aceflor: Whispersync doesn't support mobi format, so they will have to be converted to a Kindle format. Yes, emailing them will automatically convert them, but only if you type the word convert in the subject. You can email the files to all 3 devices at once, or you could just email them to one device and then with the other two, go into the archives and click the books you want downloaded. The first way is easier, but I just wanted you to know that both ways will work. Once they are in your archives, the server automatically knows which file format to give each device. Kindles usually receive AZW's or AZW3's and tablets and smart phones usually receive PRC files. All file types (except mobi) are supported by Whispersync, so all 3 of your devices will sync, just as you described. You don't have to do anything special to make them sync-able. But you do need to have the wifi ON when you close a book, and also when you open one. Otherwise they won't be able to communicate with the server. They usually sync automatically, when you open a book, but occasionally you might have to manually choose "sync to furthest page read" from the menu. One other thing to note is that (depending on the device) books have to actually be closed or (if on the kindle) return to home page or put in sleep mode, in order for the "furthest page read" to be detected. The only thing you won't be able to sync is the K4PC (or K4NT) app. Because for some godforsaken reason, Amazon won't let the PC or Mac Kindle Reader access the 'documents' that are in our archives. So there's no way to put the converted (whispersync supported) files in the computer app. You could try grabbing them from the Paperwhite and then side-loading them into K4NT. I'm not sure if they'll sync that way, but it's worth a try. Last edited by Vmurph; 10-14-2013 at 02:29 AM.

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10-08-2013, 03:42 PM	#31
dan89 Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2013 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 1	So, just to sum up. - If I use .mobi files, I can email those into the amazon cloud and those will download as personal files to my kindle, kindle for ipad, but NOT K4PC. - if I email them with "convert" in the email subject or pre-convert them in Calibre, they will become AZW3 files in the amazon cloud that will download to my K4PC as well as the other kindle products? Is that correct?

10-09-2013, 01:35 AM	#33
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Note that you can't email an AZW3 file - only a Mobi file. AZW3 files can only be transferred via USB.

10-14-2013, 12:21 AM	#37
Vmurph Cat Whisperer Posts: 239 Karma: 2490708 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: (USA) In the Hall of the Mountain King Device: Kindles Oasis 3, Kindle Oasis 1, and iPhone XS Max	I am SO sorry. Its been so long since I've used K4PC, I could swear I remembered being able to access everything in our archives, including our "documents". And when HarryT agreed, I just assumed it was so. But I just now tried it, and you're right, the archives shows purchased Kindle books ONLY; no documents. And the website doesn't even allow us to read those books in the browser using the Cloud Reader plugin. So I guess the only way to get them into K4PC is to side-load them. If you had a Kindle device, you'd be able to plug it into the computer and copy the AZW files from the device and load them into K4PC. And they would still be able to sync with each other, because the files passed through Amazon's server first. Unfortunately, the Kindle app on Apple devices doesn't let us access the books that are in the app. So I'm afraid there's no way to get those AZW's into K4PC. Unless you knew someone with a kindle, who'd be willing to help? Those books are DRM free, so they could be sent to any kindle.

10-14-2013, 12:52 AM	#38
aceflor Wizard Posts: 3,472 Karma: 48036360 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: where the sun lives, or so they say Device: Pocketbook Era, Pocketbook Inkpad 4, Kobo Libra 2, Kindle Scribe	I am a bit confused right now. I am waiting for my PW2 to arrive and will use it with my PW1 and my Samsung Note 8 for my classes, so I'd really like my personal documents to sync correctly. The plan is to use my Samsung Note 8 during the class, and to read further on the PW1 and PW2 at home and outside while the Note is charging. Until now I did not care because I was reading for pleasure, but have now to read for 3 classes and that includes taking notes, using textbooks that are not Amazon's books and that I needed to convert to mobi with Calibre. The rendering on my Note 8 as well as on my PW1 is brilliant, I can take notes very easily, but I would really like it if I could sync easily between the three devices. So I have mobi files now in my Calibre, with ASIN and all. If I send them to my kindle email address, are they being automatically converted to azw3 ? And how to make sure they are synced properly between my two PWs? The reason I am asking is that on the brief test I made, syncing one of those books did not work between my PW and my K4NT, nor between my PW and my Note. I am doing something wrong for sure, but what ?

10-14-2013, 02:48 AM	#40
Vmurph Cat Whisperer Posts: 239 Karma: 2490708 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: (USA) In the Hall of the Mountain King Device: Kindles Oasis 3, Kindle Oasis 1, and iPhone XS Max	Quick note: The way you can tell if your book or document is supported by whispersync, is to open the book and click on the menu. If the option: "sync to furthest page read" is greyed out, then it's not sync-able. A sync-able book or document will always have that option available, even if its the very first time you're opening that book. If it's the first time you're opening it, it'll just tell you that you're already at the furthest page. For Calibre users: I've noticed that some books (usually AZW's and AZW3's) that have been converted to mobi format and then emailed with the word "convert", will often not be sync-able for some reason. I'm not sure why. I've found that converting them to epub's and then back to mobi again seems to fix this. So if you're having a problem with a book or document that isn't syncing, try converting it to epub and then convert the new epub to mobi and email that one.

10-14-2013, 03:06 AM	#41
aceflor Wizard Posts: 3,472 Karma: 48036360 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: where the sun lives, or so they say Device: Pocketbook Era, Pocketbook Inkpad 4, Kobo Libra 2, Kindle Scribe	@Vmurph: Karma to you, many thanks. I will now try all again and will report. I think I might have to reconvert them to epub and then again to mobi.

10-14-2013, 03:18 AM	#42
Vmurph Cat Whisperer Posts: 239 Karma: 2490708 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: (USA) In the Hall of the Mountain King Device: Kindles Oasis 3, Kindle Oasis 1, and iPhone XS Max	Good luck!

10-14-2013, 04:13 AM	#43
aceflor Wizard Posts: 3,472 Karma: 48036360 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: where the sun lives, or so they say Device: Pocketbook Era, Pocketbook Inkpad 4, Kobo Libra 2, Kindle Scribe	Thanks, but nope, it did not work. I think it has something to do with the books ASIN, but I don't have the time right now to try to fix it. I'll look again into it later.

10-19-2013, 06:35 AM	#44
aceflor Wizard Posts: 3,472 Karma: 48036360 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: where the sun lives, or so they say Device: Pocketbook Era, Pocketbook Inkpad 4, Kobo Libra 2, Kindle Scribe	Just a quick feedback for anyone who might encounter the same problem in the future: make sure that the ASIN assigned by Calibre is the exact same one as the Amazon ASIN for the KINDLE VERSION of the book. Calibre did assign my book an ASIN, but it was not the same one as the ASIN I could find on the amazon.com page for the kindle version of the book. I changed the ASIN, reconverted to mobi, had Calibre email the book, and now whispersync works perfectly well.