Kindle ebooks in the Calibre Library folder

romad · 08-14-2023, 07:23 PM

Basically I was wondering if after I import a Kindle ebook into Calibre for conversion to ePub, are the Kindle files Calibre adds to my Calibre Library on my iMac, still DRM free or is the DRM only blocked while the file is being converted?

Second, since the newer Kindle ebooks are basically ePubs now, what is the best way to convert them to the older MOBI format? Use the AZW3 file as the source or the ePub file created during conversion?

slm · 08-14-2023, 07:29 PM

1. If you used the DeDRM plugin, the files DRM is removed before the file is added to the library, so the files shown in your Calibre library are without DRM.

2. Is there a reason you want to convert to Mobi instead of azw3? (If you imported as azw3, you may want to convert to Mobi using that file. Some azw3 files contain the mobi file in them. If so, you may be able to use Kindle Unpack to get the mobi file.

Sirtel · 08-14-2023, 07:34 PM

Why do you want to convert to MOBI? AZW3 will work on a Kindle as is.

romad · 08-14-2023, 07:49 PM

Thanks. They were more of curiosity questions. Nothing vital.

DNSB · 08-14-2023, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by romad

Second, since the newer Kindle ebooks are basically ePubs now, what is the best way to convert them to the older MOBI format? Use the AZW3 file as the source or the ePub file created during conversion?

The fewer conversions the better. So if for whatever reason you want a .mobi file, convert it directly from original source. If you have a dual mobi (contains both mobi and KF8 versions) you can use KindleUnpack to extract the .mobi. My personal preference if converting KF8/azw3 to ePub is to use KindleUnpack and only using calibre e-book converter as a fallback if the original file is so hooped that KindleUnpack will not work on it.

As others have pointed out, .mobi is an old format with little formatting control. ePub and Amazon's fork of it as KF8/azw3 are newer and better formats. KF8/azw3 is what you should be sending directly to your Kindle unless it is an antique that does not support KF8/azw3.

08-14-2023, 07:23 PM	#1
romad U.S. Air Force, Retired Posts: 204 Karma: 5212 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Prescott, AZ Device: iPad Mini 5 & Mini 6	Kindle ebooks in the Calibre Library folder Basically I was wondering if after I import a Kindle ebook into Calibre for conversion to ePub, are the Kindle files Calibre adds to my Calibre Library on my iMac, still DRM free or is the DRM only blocked while the file is being converted? Second, since the newer Kindle ebooks are basically ePubs now, what is the best way to convert them to the older MOBI format? Use the AZW3 file as the source or the ePub file created during conversion?

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08-14-2023, 07:29 PM	#2
slm Fool Posts: 387 Karma: 3557934 Join Date: Feb 2003 Device: Kindle Voyage, Kindle PW1, Kobo Glo HD, Nook Glowlight Plus ...	1. If you used the DeDRM plugin, the files DRM is removed before the file is added to the library, so the files shown in your Calibre library are without DRM. 2. Is there a reason you want to convert to Mobi instead of azw3? (If you imported as azw3, you may want to convert to Mobi using that file. Some azw3 files contain the mobi file in them. If so, you may be able to use Kindle Unpack to get the mobi file.

08-14-2023, 07:34 PM	#3
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 10,485 Karma: 225537496 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	Why do you want to convert to MOBI? AZW3 will work on a Kindle as is.

08-14-2023, 07:49 PM	#4
romad U.S. Air Force, Retired Posts: 204 Karma: 5212 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Prescott, AZ Device: iPad Mini 5 & Mini 6	Thanks. They were more of curiosity questions. Nothing vital.