Kobo Glo HD

[kyrilson]

Originally Posted by sparklemotion

I don't have the Glo, but on my h20 page turns were slower until I converted my books to kepub format, then everything was smoother and faster.

I've noticed the slow page turns with sideloaded epubs.

How do I convert to kepub? I didn't see an option for this in Calibre.

[emiliolara]

Originally Posted by kyrilson

I've noticed the slow page turns with sideloaded epubs.

How do I convert to kepub? I didn't see an option for this in Calibre.

Option 1: just rename the file to xxx. kepub.epub
Option 2: install the kepub output plugin in Calibre.

There are more plugins but i'm using just this one as it's just fine for me.

[soulfuldog]

Originally Posted by odamizu

I wasn't trying to start a "Which Is Better: Kobo GloHD or Kindle Voyage" debate. Sorry if it came off that way. I'm interested in Kobo because it's more customizable, plus it sounds like the lighting is more even. I was just surprised to read reports that the GloHD's text seemed less sharp than the Voyage since both have 300 dpi Carta screens. I was hoping it was just an issue of adjusting font-weight or lighting.

No, my apologies odamizu, I wasn't getting at you or anyone else. I just think that while the screen on the Glo HD might be very good, its not really fair to judge it against the Voyage or H2O because it's clearly a lot cheaper to make. I wouldn't like to think people will be slightly disappointed with the Glo HD if it doesn't quite match up to those two ereaders, the fact is, it shouldn't. They are premium models, the Glo HD is mid-range, and ignoring any other pros and cons between Kindles & Kobos, it's not Kobo's fault they now have a far better screen on their mid-range model than Amazon do on the Paperwhite.

[odamizu]

Originally Posted by Fx_

Now, I am waiting for my first E-reader.
Meanwhile, trying to learn about k2pdfopt and pdf to epub/azw conversion.

Which one did you decide on, Kobo or Kindle?

Sadly, converting pdf to epub/azw is problematic at best. Have you checked out the Calibre forums? If not, you might start here: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=118605

-----

@soulfuldog: Gotcha

[mystika1]

Originally Posted by soulfuldog

They are premium models, the Glo HD is mid-range, and ignoring any other pros and cons between Kindles & Kobos, it's not Kobo's fault they now have a far better screen on their mid-range model than Amazon do on the Paperwhite.

That's why I kept hoping that someone would do a side by side video of the Glo HD vs Paperwhite 2. To me, this makes more sense as those are the closest in price range and features. All videos I have seen, show every other reader side by side except for these. Crazy.

Penny

[sparklemotion]

Originally Posted by kyrilson

I've noticed the slow page turns with sideloaded epubs. How do I convert to kepub? I didn't see an option for this in Calibre.

Yes, epubs were slow for me. You have to download the kepub plug on here. (it should come up in a search) I then converted my books in calibre. It made a big difference for me.

I did a quick search and the plugin is here:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=220565

[stutzj]

Originally Posted by soulfuldog

No, my apologies odamizu, I wasn't getting at you or anyone else. I just think that while the screen on the Glo HD might be very good, its not really fair to judge it against the Voyage or H2O because it's clearly a lot cheaper to make. I wouldn't like to think people will be slightly disappointed with the Glo HD if it doesn't quite match up to those two ereaders, the fact is, it shouldn't. They are premium models, the Glo HD is mid-range, and ignoring any other pros and cons between Kindles & Kobos, it's not Kobo's fault they now have a far better screen on their mid-range model than Amazon do on the Paperwhite.

I get what your saying. Do you own the Kobo Glo HD? I'd love to hear what specific differences you notice between the Kobo Glo HD and the Voyage and how the screen is lesser because of the cost.

I purchased the Voyage and returned it. I actually was disappointed with the Voyage's screen because it did not feel like that much of a improvement over the PW2. The text is sharper than the PW2, but the font seemed to be not quite as bold. The two toned lighting really killed it for me. A good screen but definitely did not seem to be worth $199 USD to me. The quality of the build was definitely impressive. Obviously premium materials were used. My guess is that the higher cost is due to the materials, the haptic feedback buttons, and the light sensor. When I bought the Voyage, I wished they left out the premium materials and extra features to keep the price lower.

The Voyage is a good device so I'm not knocking those who own it. It just wasn't for me. The features listed above are pretty cool and I can definitely see why people like the device.

I now own the Kobo Glo HD. The screen is better in my (subjective) opinion. Bolder text, lighter screen for better contrast, text not buried under glass. From what I recall, I think the Voyage has very slight sharper text for thinner fonts. The Kobo Glo HD is hands down way better than my PW2 which I can compare it to now in terms of readability and text boldness/sharpness. Based on my experience, the difference between the PW2 and the Voyage was not as striking to me.

I think the build quality of the Kobo is where they cut corners to keep the cost lower. It feels very plastic and actually quite similar to the new Kindle Basic when I held it in the store. 98% what I care about is screen quality. The Kobo HD has a really nice screen. Again, IMO better than the Voyage, having owned both devices (yes I know screens can vary in quality from individual ereader to ereader).

I personally would recommend not assuming the screen is inferior because of cost. My experience (and SUBJECTIVE opinion) with these devices is that this is not the case. Granted, I have not used the H20.

[trekk]

Originally Posted by stutzj

... 98% what I care about is screen quality ...

:

[kyrilson]

Originally Posted by emiliolara

Option 1: just rename the file to xxx. kepub.epub
Option 2: install the kepub output plugin in Calibre.

There are more plugins but i'm using just this one as it's just fine for me.

Thanks! I found the plugin in Calibre itself. If you go to Preferences --> Get plugins to enhance calibre, you'll find a kepub plugin in there. Installing that added the kepub option for conversions.

I just tested it and the kepub format makes a BIG difference!! Not only are the pages turning faster, but the font seems to render more properly, and statistics and pages remaining indicators are also functioning, similar to how it is for a book I buy from Kobo.

[aceflor]

Originally Posted by stutzj

I get what your saying. Do you own the Kobo Glo HD? I'd love to hear what specific differences you notice between the Kobo Glo HD and the Voyage and how the screen is lesser because of the cost.

I purchased the Voyage and returned it. I actually was disappointed with the Voyage's screen because it did not feel like that much of a improvement over the PW2. The text is sharper than the PW2, but the font seemed to be not quite as bold. The two toned lighting really killed it for me. A good screen but definitely did not seem to be worth $199 USD to me. The quality of the build was definitely impressive. Obviously premium materials were used. My guess is that the higher cost is due to the materials, the haptic feedback buttons, and the light sensor. When I bought the Voyage, I wished they left out the premium materials and extra features to keep the price lower.

The Voyage is a good device so I'm not knocking those who own it. It just wasn't for me. The features listed above are pretty cool and I can definitely see why people like the device.

I now own the Kobo Glo HD. The screen is better in my (subjective) opinion. Bolder text, lighter screen for better contrast, text not buried under glass. From what I recall, I think the Voyage has very slight sharper text for thinner fonts. The Kobo Glo HD is hands down way better than my PW2 which I can compare it to now in terms of readability and text boldness/sharpness. Based on my experience, the difference between the PW2 and the Voyage was not as striking to me.

I think the build quality of the Kobo is where they cut corners to keep the cost lower. It feels very plastic and actually quite similar to the new Kindle Basic when I held it in the store. 98% what I care about is screen quality. The Kobo HD has a really nice screen. Again, IMO better than the Voyage, having owned both devices (yes I know screens can vary in quality from individual ereader to ereader).

I personally would recommend not assuming the screen is inferior because of cost. My experience (and SUBJECTIVE opinion) with these devices is that this is not the case. Granted, I have not used the H20.

I own a Voyage and a H2O. Unless the Glo HD Display is way better than the H2O's (which I can't compare but will as soon as the Glo HD hits the stores here on June 1st), then the Voyage will have a better screen. I am extrememly sensitive to sharpness and can see an obvious difference between the Voyage and the H2O, could see it immediately. I like the H2O for its functions and the fact that it is waterproof (beach or pool use daily 6 months in the year, so waterproof is super useful), but when not near the water I always go back to the Voyage. If you don't mind or do not see the sharpness difference, the Glo HD (as long as its on par with the H2O) is the way to go. But I have owned lots of e-readers and the Voyage is the top of the range when sharpness is needed. I have tried every possible settings (unpatched with the conf file, patched with Geoff's fabulous patch, trying different level of sharpness and weight) but I never, never managed to reach the same level of sharpness on my H2O (which is a pity, because I would really like that).

I hated Kobo for a while, now I appreciate a lot of what they do and their readers are really getting way better every time, but I think it's unfair (and untrue) to say that the displays are comparable, they are not. Now, the lighting (which is what causes those coloring problems on the PW1 and the Voyage) certainly could be improved (they did after all manage to solve this with the PW2), but my Voyage color is very even, light cream everywhere, the lighting tone is warm, not cold, and the sharpness is uncomparable to any other device I have seen (and I have seen some....!!!!).

Edited to say: if you want to own only 1 e-reader (however odd this might be for many of us here ), are on a budget, or have forgiving eyes, go for the Glo HD. It's a fantastic value for the money.

Edited to say 2: btw, the lighting of the H2O is very nice too, warm as well, not a cold tone, so Kobo is obviously learning and improving.

[stutzj]

Originally Posted by aceflor

I own a Voyage and a H2O. Unless the Glo HD Display is way better than the H2O's (which I can't compare but will as soon as the Glo HD hits the stores here on June 1st), then the Voyage will have a better screen. I am extrememly sensitive to sharpness and can see an obvious difference between the Voyage and the H2O, could see it immediately. I like the H2O for its functions and the fact that it is waterproof (beach or pool use daily 6 months in the year, so waterproof is super useful), but when not near the water I always go back to the Voyage. If you don't mind or do not see the sharpness difference, the Glo HD (as long as its on par with the H2O) is the way to go. But I have owned lots of e-readers and the Voyage is the top of the range when sharpness is needed. I have tried every possible settings (unpatched with the conf file, patched with Geoff's fabulous patch, trying different level of sharpness and weight) but I never, never managed to reach the same level of sharpness on my H2O (which is a pity, because I would really like that).

I hated Kobo for a while, now I appreciate a lot of what they do and their readers are really getting way better every time, but I think it's unfair (and untrue) to say that the displays are comparable, they are not. Now, the lighting (which is what causes those coloring problems on the PW1 and the Voyage) certainly could be improved (they did after all manage to solve this with the PW2), but my Voyage color is very even, light cream everywhere, the lighting tone is warm, not cold, and the sharpness is uncomparable to any other device I have seen (and I have seen some....!!!!).

Edited to say: if you want to own only 1 e-reader (however odd this might be for many of us here ), are on a budget, or have forgiving eyes, go for the Glo HD. It's a fantastic value for the money.

Edited to say 2: btw, the lighting of the H2O is very nice too, warm as well, not a cold tone, so Kobo is obviously learning and improving.

Glad to hear that you have a good Voyage and that you like it. It's a great device.

[howyoudoin]

Originally Posted by stutzj

98% what I care about is screen quality.

[howyoudoin]

Originally Posted by aceflor

Edited to say 2: btw, the lighting of the H2O is very nice too, warm as well, not a cold tone, so Kobo is obviously learning and improving.

I'd say it's quite the opposite. Kobo got their lighting spot on quickly while it's Amazon who's been learning and improving. I still remember the unnaturally cold temperature of the paperwhite. One of the first natural thoughts that came to my mind when I first held a lit paperwhite in my hands was that Amazon had made a tablet, not an e-reader.

[aceflor]

Originally Posted by howyoudoin

I'd say it's quite the opposite. Kobo got their lighting spot on quickly while it's Amazon who's been learning and improving. I still remember the unnaturally cold temperature of the paperwhite. One of the first natural thoughts that came to my mind when I first held a lit paperwhite in my hands was that Amazon had made a tablet, not an e-reader.

So I am guessing you never saw the Glo first vs second generation and the blue lights.

[howyoudoin]

Originally Posted by aceflor

So I am guessing you never saw the Glo first vs second generation and the blue lights.

No, the first time I seriously considered and paid attention to a Kobo was with the Aura HD, when it had a better frontlight than the Paperwhite. Kobo figured out the proper temperature and evenness of the lighting earlier and has held the lead since.