New User

[Glubbish]

Tried:
device_db:any device = ([{series}{series_index:0>2s| - | - }{title_sort}] -> title), ([{author_sort}] -> authors)

But no success here either.

As for the syncing, it appears that when the device is connected, after the delay in updating the contents, there is another delay, so I am beginning to thinks that changes made would require a disconnect and reconnect of the device to get transferred.

[jackie_w]

Hi Glubbish,

I'm listing the exact content of the Metadata Plugboard for my PRS-505. It's not exactly what you want for Title name but perhaps you can try it out. Then if it works you can tweak it until it matches your preference. From a different thread, another forum member said it worked on their PRS-650.
Note: I used device_db:PRS505 not device_db:any device. (I don't know whether that's important.)

device_db:PRS505 = ([{title}{series:re(([^\s])[^\s]+(\s|$),\1)| [|}{series_index:| |]}] -> title), ([{series}{series_index:0>2s|| - }{title}] -> title_sort)

I don't have author_sort in the Plugboard, I have set it in
Preferences - Plugins - Device interface plugins - Sony Device - Customize plugin. Then check the box for 'Use author_sort for author'. I also don't know whether this is important.

Lastly, I have also set Preferences - Send to Device - Metadata management to Automatic management.

The nett result is that when I connect my PRS505 to Calibre the Series and Title info is updated automatically for any books already on the reader.

[Glubbish]

Hi Jackie,

Not sure whats going on at my end.
My have something different.
I tried your parameters and the series were still not in order
Perhaps its a setting on the device (I am using sort by author).

[jackie_w]

I also use 'Books by Author' from the PRS505 main menu.

Can you copy/paste the exact contents of your device_db again? Also a screencap of your booklist on the PRS650 might be helpful.

Did you also replicate the other 2 settings I detailed above? i.e.
--move author/author_sort out of device_db and into customise Device Interface plug-in
--Automatic management

[speakingtohe]

Hi Helen.
I am not sure what you mean here.

What I meant was quite simple
In preferences->plugins->device interface plugins
put series, authors in the last box
Then your files are sorted in series order in both author sort and series collections.
My save template is {author_sort}/{title} - {authors}

Again I am not sure why it has to be this way. One would think that it would be normal to always sort any collection by series if serfies exist.

But probably this would upset some.

[jackie_w]

@Glubbish

I think my edit above may be a red herring. I have just edited my Plugboard to be more like the one you started with, but with the title_sort bit added:

device_db:any device = ([{series}{series_index:0>2s| - | - }{title}] -> title), ([{series}{series_index:0>2s| - | - }{title}] -> title_sort), ([{author_sort}] -> authors)

As you can see, I've switched to device_db:any device and author_sort --> author is now in the plugboard, where you originally had it (and I have removed it from my 'customise Sony Device Interface plug-in'). It all works fine as you can see in the attached screencap.

So either the PRS650 works differently from the PRS505 or it's something other than the Plugboard which is causing the problem. Do you have many books on the reader? If not, remove them and resend and see whether everything clicks into place.

Forum member chaley who developed all these features would definitely be able to help you get to the bottom of this.

[Glubbish]

@Helen

Thanks, I get it now. I have the default (series,tags) Will try putting authors in there
my save template is the same (but not sure how this affects the outcome when using plugboards as well)

-- Just reread your post. I don't think you mean to put author in, and series is already in.
-- Adding author probably wont help
-- Will sony_collection_sorting_rules (tweaks) have affect on this?

@Jackie
thats kind of funny, I changed mine to match yours, perhaps Helen has the answer to this issue. Your way and my way seem to give me the same results for me.

I have no idea on how to take a screen shot of the reader, nor how to insert text and pictures like you do Buying a reader has created more than one learning curve for me.

-- found the advanced posting section has this faciltiy
-- still dont know how to screen capture the reader though

[jackie_w]

Originally Posted by Glubbish

@Jackie
thats kind of funny, I changed mine to match yours, perhaps Helen has the answer to this issue. Your way and my way seem to give me the same results for me.

This suggests there's nothing wrong with your Plugboard settings.

Originally Posted by Glubbish

I have no idea on how to take a screen shot of the reader

It's one of features of the excellent PRSPlus hack available over in the Sony Development Forum. I don't think it's available for the newest models yet but keep your eyes open because its well worth having. Before I had that I just used to use a standard scanner or a camera. Results nowhere near as good, but better than nothing.

Originally Posted by Glubbish

...my save template is the same (but not sure how this affects the outcome when using plugboards as well...

To the best of my understanding, the save template affects the filename created, whereas the Plugboard affects the metadata written into the book when it is saved to disk or written to your reader. They should be independent. Using the save template, you can manage the organisation of your books into folders on your reader. Sonys don't use filename to decide what info to display (other readers can). That's why you need to use the Plugboard or Collections/Sony-specific Tweaks. Personally, I prefer the Plugboard to Collections for Series info, but each to his/her own.

If you send a book to your reader then change any of the metadata used in the save template and resend to the reader, you will end up with a duplicate because the old and new filenames will be different. Do you think the duplicates you mentioned early in the thread may be causing your problem?

Can you ascertain what order your books ARE coming out in when you choose Books by Author? Without a pic it's hard to offer more help.

Originally Posted by Glubbish

Buying a reader has created more than one learning curve for me.

You've hit the nail on the head here

[Glubbish]

Brought my reader into work today.
I tried to determine what the order on the reader was, by comparing to calibre
but was unable to find it.
It may be related to the order they were added.

Interestingly, by selecting collection and choosing a mixed up series, they all come out in the correct order. Its just when I list all books (by author) that they are mixed.

[jackie_w]

Yes, according to the Preferences - Tweaks - sony_collection_sorting_rules
any Sony Collection based on the Series field, by default, is sorted into series_index order. Other Collections are sorted, by default, into Title order. If you want, you can change these in the Tweak.

Using Collections to view a Series is OK, but you can only see one Series at a time.

It would have been nice to get to the bottom of your problem but I can't think of anything I haven't already said. I can't make my PRS505 not work.

[Glubbish]

Thanks Jackie,
I appreciate all your efforts.
It does not look like a problem with calibre.

Hopefully someone with a 650 will be able to compare notes with me

[jackie_w]

Maybe start a new thread with the words Help!, PRS650, Plugboard, book sort order rearranged into a new title to see if you can attract the super-techies to take a look. The current title of 'New User' is a bit general. You would need to detail what you've tried and what isn't working.