What Exactly Does 'Send to Device' Do?

bongorash · 10-24-2013, 10:40 AM

Although I have used calibre for a while now to send books to my Kobo Glo, I am still a bit of a noob, and I am looking at getting an ipad shortly (either full size or mini - not decided yet) and will want to put all my ebooks on there (they are all epubs).

As in the title of this thread I do not fully understand what 'send to device' does - does it merely send the epubs in their current form or do I need to change the output format in preferences (which is currently set to Kobo) to ipad for it to format the epubs for that particular device, and if so does it then change the copy held in my calibre library on my PC (which I do not want it to do)?

I suppose the short question is if I just send to device as is on an ipad will they look right ?

theducks · 10-24-2013, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongorash

Although I have used calibre for a while now to send books to my Kobo Glo, I am still a bit of a noob, and I am looking at getting an ipad shortly (either full size or mini - not decided yet) and will want to put all my ebooks on there (they are all epubs).

As in the title of this thread I do not fully understand what 'send to device' does - does it merely send the epubs in their current form or do I need to change the output format in preferences (which is currently set to Kobo) to ipad for it to format the epubs for that particular device, and if so does it then change the copy held in my calibre library on my PC (which I do not want it to do)?

I suppose the short question is if I just send to device as is on an ipad will they look right ?

Send to device (save to disk, connect to folder) leave the Library copy intact. You must use

olish, modify EPUB or convert to cause that to change.

STD updates the metadata on the fly as it transfers. Can do a conversion (and saves a copy in the Library) if the required format does not exist. IIRC STD does use the device profile selected as part of the process

Why not try and see what you get?

Mike L · 10-24-2013, 02:25 PM

Can I ask a subsidiary question:

When doing Send to Device, does Calibre always know where on the device to send the file to?

To clarify, if I use Send to Device with my Kindle, Calibre correctly sends the file it to the Documents folder. But if I send to an Android device, for instance, does it know which folder is used on the device to hold my ebooks? I assume not, because it can't know which apps I'm using on the device; is that right?

Mike

At_Libitum · 10-24-2013, 04:10 PM

I can't speak for dedicated ereaders or Android based apps, but on iPad/iPhone, the only apps that can use Send to Device are the iBooks, Marvin, GoodReader and Kindle apps. Unless I've overlooked one...and then the location where the books are send to is known by the app specific driver.

FYI. iOS does however use a universal directory structure (most likely to be able to support the file sharing from within iTunes) so that location is almost always the same for each eReader, but as far as I know, it's only these four which can be used with Send To Device

jackie_w · 10-24-2013, 05:32 PM

I believe this Sticky post was written specifically to help new Apple i-device owners.

theducks · 10-24-2013, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike L

Can I ask a subsidiary question:

When doing Send to Device, does Calibre always know where on the device to send the file to?

To clarify, if I use Send to Device with my Kindle, Calibre correctly sends the file it to the Documents folder. But if I send to an Android device, for instance, does it know which folder is used on the device to hold my ebooks? I assume not, because it can't know which apps I'm using on the device; is that right?

Mike

Each brand/model device driver has the base location(s) for Calibre to send to.

base+{template} is normally where your book goes

DoctorOhh · 10-25-2013, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike L

But if I send to an Android device, for instance, does it know which folder is used on the device to hold my ebooks? I assume not, because it can't know which apps I'm using on the device; is that right?

If you use USB the android driver takes a guess but can be customized (Preferences - Plugins - Device interface plugins) to send books to any folder, see attached.

If you connect your android device to calibre via *Calibre Companion (CC) then you can configure where various book formats are sent within CC's settings.

* My preference.

Mike L · 10-25-2013, 12:07 PM

Thanks for all you replies to my supplementary - and especially to DoctorOhh, regarding the customisation option, which I will try straightaway. I'll also take a look at Calibre Companion.

Mike

ShellShock · 10-26-2013, 01:32 PM

Recently I started using dropbox to store my calibre library, and it allows me to easily get books onto my iphone, and even onto my Kobo (via the Kobo browser). The dropbox app on the iphone/ipad is great because it gives you a choice of which ereader app to open the epub in--I really like Bluefire.

Kai Winters · 10-26-2013, 03:44 PM

I'll not repeat what others have said regarding "send to device". Good info already stated...

This is what I do when adding a book, etc. to my Calibre library prior to sending it to a reader...I use a Samsung Galaxy Player 5 for my primary reader and my iphone 4s as a secondary reader...my iphone has only several of my most favorite books on it and I use it for times when I'm waiting for something and quite bored but my reader is elsewhere...

Upon adding a book to Calibre I first convert it to other reading forms...I generally get all my books as either epub or from Amazon in AZW3. I convert all my books to epub and mobi...mobi just because...so all books in my library are in three formats...epub, AZW3 and mobi...for use in any device. The first rule about converting DRM'd books is we don't talk about converting DRM'd books here.

Once converted I then update the metadata...Some books have none when downloaded so I always check for the latest metadata and cover...using the best, in my opinion, cover available...or being fussy, if there is no cover I find one and add it manually.
I also edit the metadata for the name, author and series...I prefer my own order of naming and prefer to do it manually, ie book name..."Joe inferno-1" for name of book, "How to cook hobo style-1" for the series and place in the series...I find this much more easy and useful for keeping my series in proper order...you can enter any series title you desire and change the place number in the series using the handy drop box in Caliber but I also use a numeric add on for my own preference.

Once this is all done to my satisfaction I "save to disk". This sends a copy of the folder/file to a location I choose. I do this to save it to another location...separate hard drive storage of my library.

Now on to "send to device". When using my Android device...Samsung Galaxy...Calibre identifies if upon connection and shows the devices main memory...internal storage...and memory "A"...my SD card storage. I choose where to send it and generally use the SD storage as my primary book storage.
A nice Calibre feature is showing where each book is located...internal memory or storage card "A" or "B"...and the ability to access each storage area individually or directly through Calibre.
Calibre works similarly on my iphone 4s.

This is how I use Calibre for my library and readers. It works and I really love it.
I hope I've not muddied the waters.

10-24-2013, 10:40 AM	#1
bongorash Enthusiast Posts: 25 Karma: 13112 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kobo Glo, Kobo H2O, Kobo Aura 1, Kindle Voyage, Kobo Forma	What Exactly Does 'Send to Device' Do? Although I have used calibre for a while now to send books to my Kobo Glo, I am still a bit of a noob, and I am looking at getting an ipad shortly (either full size or mini - not decided yet) and will want to put all my ebooks on there (they are all epubs). As in the title of this thread I do not fully understand what 'send to device' does - does it merely send the epubs in their current form or do I need to change the output format in preferences (which is currently set to Kobo) to ipad for it to format the epubs for that particular device, and if so does it then change the copy held in my calibre library on my PC (which I do not want it to do)? I suppose the short question is if I just send to device as is on an ipad will they look right ?

10-24-2013, 04:10 PM	#4
At_Libitum Addict Posts: 265 Karma: 724240 Join Date: Aug 2013 Device: KyBook	I can't speak for dedicated ereaders or Android based apps, but on iPad/iPhone, the only apps that can use Send to Device are the iBooks, Marvin, GoodReader and Kindle apps. Unless I've overlooked one...and then the location where the books are send to is known by the app specific driver. FYI. iOS does however use a universal directory structure (most likely to be able to support the file sharing from within iTunes) so that location is almost always the same for each eReader, but as far as I know, it's only these four which can be used with Send To Device Last edited by At_Libitum; 10-24-2013 at 04:13 PM.

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10-24-2013, 02:25 PM	#3
Mike L Wizard Posts: 1,479 Karma: 3846231 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Device: Kindle 3, Samsung Galaxy	Can I ask a subsidiary question: When doing Send to Device, does Calibre always know where on the device to send the file to? To clarify, if I use Send to Device with my Kindle, Calibre correctly sends the file it to the Documents folder. But if I send to an Android device, for instance, does it know which folder is used on the device to hold my ebooks? I assume not, because it can't know which apps I'm using on the device; is that right? Mike

10-24-2013, 05:32 PM	#5
jackie_w Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,252 Karma: 16544692 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: UK Device: ClaraHD, Forma, Libra2, Clara2E, LibraCol, PBTouchHD3	I believe this Sticky post was written specifically to help new Apple i-device owners.

10-25-2013, 12:07 PM	#8
Mike L Wizard Posts: 1,479 Karma: 3846231 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Device: Kindle 3, Samsung Galaxy	Thanks for all you replies to my supplementary - and especially to DoctorOhh, regarding the customisation option, which I will try straightaway. I'll also take a look at Calibre Companion. Mike

10-26-2013, 01:32 PM	#9
ShellShock Wizard Posts: 1,178 Karma: 2431850 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: IPad Mini 2 Retina	Recently I started using dropbox to store my calibre library, and it allows me to easily get books onto my iphone, and even onto my Kobo (via the Kobo browser). The dropbox app on the iphone/ipad is great because it gives you a choice of which ereader app to open the epub in--I really like Bluefire.

10-26-2013, 03:44 PM	#10
Kai Winters Lover of Books Posts: 218 Karma: 1073074 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern NY Device: iPhone 7+	I'll not repeat what others have said regarding "send to device". Good info already stated... This is what I do when adding a book, etc. to my Calibre library prior to sending it to a reader...I use a Samsung Galaxy Player 5 for my primary reader and my iphone 4s as a secondary reader...my iphone has only several of my most favorite books on it and I use it for times when I'm waiting for something and quite bored but my reader is elsewhere... Upon adding a book to Calibre I first convert it to other reading forms...I generally get all my books as either epub or from Amazon in AZW3. I convert all my books to epub and mobi...mobi just because...so all books in my library are in three formats...epub, AZW3 and mobi...for use in any device. The first rule about converting DRM'd books is we don't talk about converting DRM'd books here. Once converted I then update the metadata...Some books have none when downloaded so I always check for the latest metadata and cover...using the best, in my opinion, cover available...or being fussy, if there is no cover I find one and add it manually. I also edit the metadata for the name, author and series...I prefer my own order of naming and prefer to do it manually, ie book name..."Joe inferno-1" for name of book, "How to cook hobo style-1" for the series and place in the series...I find this much more easy and useful for keeping my series in proper order...you can enter any series title you desire and change the place number in the series using the handy drop box in Caliber but I also use a numeric add on for my own preference. Once this is all done to my satisfaction I "save to disk". This sends a copy of the folder/file to a location I choose. I do this to save it to another location...separate hard drive storage of my library. Now on to "send to device". When using my Android device...Samsung Galaxy...Calibre identifies if upon connection and shows the devices main memory...internal storage...and memory "A"...my SD card storage. I choose where to send it and generally use the SD storage as my primary book storage. A nice Calibre feature is showing where each book is located...internal memory or storage card "A" or "B"...and the ability to access each storage area individually or directly through Calibre. Calibre works similarly on my iphone 4s. This is how I use Calibre for my library and readers. It works and I really love it. I hope I've not muddied the waters.

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