EZ Reader Firmware

[smithno]

There is firmware from Hanlin site dated 12/12/2008. I'm pretty sure this is newer than the firmware shipped with the EZ Reader. Is it advisable to update??

[wallcraft]

I updated to V2.01EN 2008-12-12. It does not seem to be much different, but I generally stick with FB2 and MOBI. On the Mobiebook Support Forum, ska reports that CHM has improved.

One difference is that you get the standard Hanlin splash screens. It would be nice if there was an EZ Reader Firmware download site to switch back.

[SteveK]

Does the EZ Reader currently support MOBI DRM? The Mobiebook website for the EZ Reader indicates it only supports non-DRM MOBI, but the web page could be out of date. I'm interested in the EZ Reader as an alternative to the more expensive BeBook (or Hanlin), but I'm not interested if it can't use DRM protected MOBI files.

Thanks.
SteveK

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by SteveK

Does the EZ Reader currently support MOBI DRM?

The BeBook and Hanlin certainly do, so even if the EZ Reader doesn't, one can simply reflash it with (say) the BeBook's firmware. All these machines are identical in hardware terms, and all can be reflashed with anyone else's firmware.

I'd very very surprised, though, if the EZ Reader didn't support Mobi DRM. All the other Jinke clone machines have done so for a while.

Unfortunately none of them currently support Mobi dictionary lookup, and that's a real shame.

[SteveK]

Harry - Thanks for the prompt reply. With a website name of "Mobibook", one would certainly expect full MOBI support, including DRM!

It's good to know that firmware can be flashed from other Jinke clones. I may have to seriously consider the EZ Reader given its very competitive price.

Thanks again for your reply.
SteveK

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by SteveK

Harry - Thanks for the prompt reply. With a website name of "Mobibook", one would certainly expect full MOBI support, including DRM!

It's good to know that firmware can be flashed from other Jinke clones. I may have to seriously consider the EZ Reader given its very competitive price.

Thanks again for your reply.
SteveK

The Mobibook site does not have any books using DRM. The license for the web site (nothing to do with the eBook Reader itself) does not permit them to sell DRM eBooks. This is good in that you do not have to worry about DRM on any eBooks you buy from the site.

Dale

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by SteveK

Does the EZ Reader currently support MOBI DRM?

Yes. Astak does not advertise this well, but I have a Mobiebook Support Forum post on Secure MobiPocket ebooks which is oriented towards new comers.

So far as I can tell, the EZ Reader uses standard Hanlin firmware with the exception of splash screens.

[smithno]

The EZ Reader does support Mobi DRMed books. I have several from Fictionwise that work fine.

[slayda]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

I updated to V2.01EN 2008-12-12. It does not seem to be much different, but I generally stick with FB2 and MOBI. On the Mobiebook Support Forum, ska reports that CHM has improved.

One difference is that you get the standard Hanlin splash screens. It would be nice if there was an EZ Reader Firmware download site to switch back.

You can DL the Logomaker SW from the Jinke site and add your own splash screens - 16 bit grayscale BMPs. With only 4 shades of gray you need a nicely dithered picture if you are using a photo. It took a little trial and error for the best results.

wallcraft, was there any change in Mobipocket font capability with the V2.01EN 2008-12-12 update?

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by slayda

wallcraft, was there any change in Mobipocket font capability with the V2.01EN 2008-12-12 update?

Not so far as I can tell - certainly user supplied fonts are not supported. I just posted scans in Test oeb2mobi output for me? (post #17), so you could try the same MOBI in the original firmware.