Sony Reader vs. iRex Iliad e-book reader - Page 3

luag · 03-06-2006, 11:20 PM

I am personally interested to purchase a Sony Librie from Japan.
Its been hacked, so we can convert our files easily.
and i think i like librie better than reader, for reasons i've already mentioned here: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6031

also, there are words saying sony will open their BBeB format to public.

If you want to know more, please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/librie/

Laurens · 03-07-2006, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommanderROR

Now...I'm worried that the Sony won't be available in Germany anytime soon

The Reader will be released a few months later in Europe.

NatCh · 03-07-2006, 12:07 PM

Hey, CommanderROR,

I was where you are a couple of weeks ago, trying to decide which I liked better: the shackles of Sony or the expense of features I don't need (and some I don't even want) on the iLiad.

Then I noticed the thread on the HanLin e-Book.

After looking at it, I've decided that since it basically combines the hardware simplicity of the Sony, and the format freedom of the iLiad (at a price closer to the Sony than the iLiad), it's my new favored choice.

Screen size is the same as the Sony, they claim 8k page flips as a MINIMUM for the HanLin. Overall it's slightly bigger than the Sony, but still not much bigger than a paperback. No comments from them on battery re-charge time, perhaps it will be less obnoxious than the 4 hours Sony requires.

The V2 model is (currently) scheduled for release in the US and Europe in May. I'll gladly wait the extra month here, and it sounds like they'll actually beat Sony's release there in Germany.

doctorow · 03-07-2006, 01:42 PM

Any info on what the HanLin might cost?

CommanderROR · 03-07-2006, 01:59 PM

The HanLin V2 should be around 250-300$ in retail, official price is 349$

The questions that remain are:
- Can it read Sony Connect Store books?
- How long will it last battery-wise?
- How well did they implement the Display? The iliad looks a lot more black and white on the pictures than the Sony Reader for example...could be the pictures of course...but the Iliad does have 16 greys instead of 4...

doctorow · 03-07-2006, 02:03 PM

Quote:

- Can it read Sony Connect Store books?

Well, would you need to read Sony Connect Store (BBeB) books? If
the HanLin supports the open source community, it'd be easy to support let's say the Microsoft .lit format, which is much more wide-spread than BBeB (Amazon carries .lit, for instance).

Quote:

- How long will it last battery-wise?

Good question.

NatCh · 03-07-2006, 02:11 PM

According to Jinke's FAQ:

The MSRP for the V2 will be 349 USD, or ~294 Euros.

Battery life at least 8000 page flips. (Sony only claims 7500 as a maximum)

I don't think ANYTHING but Sony can read their format at present. Jinke does not claim their reader will read it anyway, and knowing them, they probably won't let you download from their store unless you put it straight on one of their readers or some such obnoxious thing.

Of course, none of that prevents someone from writing a hack to let the HanLin read BBeB format ....

doctorow · 03-07-2006, 02:15 PM

Seriously lack of BBeB support is not a criteria for me when buying an e-book reader. Sony has always made enemies by creating their own proprietary formats - why should I now bother to support them?

NatCh · 03-07-2006, 02:29 PM

Oh, I don't have any desire, let alone intention of enabling Sony's paranoid DRM delusions, It just occured to me that if there were any legitimate pressure to do so, somebody will hack the thing.

I don't mind a reasonable copy protection mechanism, but nothing that's going to be more restrictive than I'd find if I buy a paper book. In fact, I wouldn't be the slightest bit upset if they decided to package the texts in SD cards with their hardware-based copy protection implemented (the same stuff that's on DVD's, as it happens), and let any reader that's willing to accomodate it read the rascals.

CommanderROR · 03-07-2006, 03:24 PM

Well...Amazon is not too hot with ebooks here in germany.
I don't really like the idea of the sony Connect store either, but at the moment it seems to be the only "real" way to get a large amount of quality books (if they manage to provide what they promise).

In Germany there is no real market for ebooks...all you can do is download "free" ebooks or look for "pirated" books on p2p...with dubious quality and of course dubious legality...

I'm no fan of DRM and stuff like that, but as long as I buy the book to keep (not 60 day stuff...) it's ok.

10000+ books at launch sounds good to me and if Sony really delivers what they promise with the store I'll support it.

Restrictions on the Device side are quite something different...I don't support that at all!!!

NatCh · 03-07-2006, 04:37 PM

Ah, now I see your concern. Project Gutenberg isn't quite your only option any more. Have a look at these:

http://www.ebooks.com/

http://www.fictionwise.com/

You can also get texts directly from Baen Publishing through their Webscription service (you choose what you want to get & pay for -- they don't bug you about it), for cheap and in multiple formats. You can even get some of them before the paper release date.

I know about eReader.com, but they only sell in the format that fits their reading software at the moment. I'm sure there are other sources I don't know about, I'm still pretty new to all this myself.

Perhaps others might suggest more sources for e-texts....

CommanderROR · 03-07-2006, 05:39 PM

Well...thanks for the information.
I actually knew that there were some suppliers about...but look at this:

ebooks.com only has 1 book by Terry Pratchett (there are about 30 different books to date) and it is priced at 19$.
Amazon.com has the Hardcovedr of the same book for about 15$...new...not used or anything fishy...so it is not really a good deal.
Gutenberg is ok if you want "free" content...but it's not like they carry the new Fantasy and Science Fiction books I crave...

If amazon started selling all their books as ebooks as well...that would be something...but it needs a company like Apple/Sony/Amazon to get publishers to even allow the sale of their books as e-books...royalties and stuff like that have to be discussed...but I suppose once the connect store goes online there will be more companies that offer this service...as long as Sony did not get an exclusive with the big publishers...and we all know Sony...

NatCh · 03-08-2006, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommanderROR

...as long as Sony did not get an exclusive with the big publishers...and we all know Sony...

Now THERE'S a cheery thought.

luag · 03-09-2006, 12:17 AM

what kind of battery Hanlin uses?
internal rechargeable battery or AAAs?

CommanderROR · 03-09-2006, 06:32 AM

Internal LiIon

I found this german site that gives more details on the Hanlin...download the doc file...I don't know their source...so it might not be true...if it is...then CHEERS!

http://www.ebookmedia.de/v2.html

Alexander Turcic · 03-09-2006, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommanderROR

Internal LiIon

I found this german site that gives more details on the Hanlin...download the doc file...I don't know their source...so it might not be true...if it is...then CHEERS!

http://www.ebookmedia.de/v2.html

Great find! Thank you for the link.

luag · 03-09-2006, 11:00 AM

damn, i personally prefer AAAs for ebook readers :/
because its easier (and cheaper) to replace.

i'll still consider Librie because of this alone hehe

edit: nevermind, it seems like v2 use a common LiOn batteries that we can change quite easily. i just downloaded the doc file. Thx for the link

CCDMan · 03-09-2006, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Now...I'm worried that the Sony won't be available in Germany anytime soon, that it won't read -txt, .doc and similar formats

Not sure what you mean by the above. This is from the Sony site:

"The Sony Reader isn’t just about reading eBooks. Using the included CONNECT™ Reader PC Software, you can easily transfer Adobe® PDF documents, BBeB Book, and other text file formats to the Reader."

Unless you ar assuming the SW conversion to BBeB format will be hard to use. I think we need to wait for some real world user reviews before we can decide that. Assuming decent SW, the only way this would be cumbersome would be if one had to convert a whole lot of really short txt documents. For book legnth stuff, the conversion time should be a minor part of the overall experience.

doctorow · 03-09-2006, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCDMan

Unless you ar assuming the SW conversion to BBeB format will be hard to use. I think we need to wait for some real world user reviews before we can decide that. Assuming decent SW, the only way this would be cumbersome would be if one had to convert a whole lot of really short txt documents. For book legnth stuff, the conversion time should be a minor part of the overall experience.

That depends. Is Sony going to provide the conversion software for any available desktop OS platform? Knowing Sony, they are not so keen in supporting anything but Windows.

Let's see. When I visit their Connect Website from my Linux desktop, I get redirected to an error page saying:

Quote:

System Check
We have performed a system check and detected that you need to download and install the item highlighted in red below to use CONNECT. Please do this now and then enter the site again.
*Microsoft® Internet Explorer 5.5+

with a link to Microsoft IE 6 for Windows.

Doesn't look too good, does it?

luag · 03-09-2006, 11:49 AM

here's what i got:

"This service is not currently available in your area.

Please feel free to explore our Sony global sites for other exciting products and services.

If you feel you have reached this page in error, please click here to contact our Customer Service department."

so much for "see the world of sony"...

03-06-2006, 11:20 PM	#41
luag Zealot Posts: 144 Karma: 30 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia Device: Onyx Boox 60	I am personally interested to purchase a Sony Librie from Japan. Its been hacked, so we can convert our files easily. and i think i like librie better than reader, for reasons i've already mentioned here: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6031 also, there are words saying sony will open their BBeB format to public. If you want to know more, please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/librie/ Last edited by luag; 03-06-2006 at 11:23 PM.

03-07-2006, 12:07 PM	#43
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	How about the HanLin e-Book? Hey, CommanderROR, I was where you are a couple of weeks ago, trying to decide which I liked better: the shackles of Sony or the expense of features I don't need (and some I don't even want) on the iLiad. Then I noticed the thread on the HanLin e-Book. After looking at it, I've decided that since it basically combines the hardware simplicity of the Sony, and the format freedom of the iLiad (at a price closer to the Sony than the iLiad), it's my new favored choice. Screen size is the same as the Sony, they claim 8k page flips as a MINIMUM for the HanLin. Overall it's slightly bigger than the Sony, but still not much bigger than a paperback. No comments from them on battery re-charge time, perhaps it will be less obnoxious than the 4 hours Sony requires. The V2 model is (currently) scheduled for release in the US and Europe in May. I'll gladly wait the extra month here, and it sounds like they'll actually beat Sony's release there in Germany.

03-07-2006, 01:59 PM	#45
CommanderROR eink fanatic Posts: 2,022 Karma: 4924 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Germany Device: STAReBOOK, iRex Iliad, Sony 505, Kindle 2	The HanLin V2 should be around 250-300$ in retail, official price is 349$ The questions that remain are: - Can it read Sony Connect Store books? - How long will it last battery-wise? - How well did they implement the Display? The iliad looks a lot more black and white on the pictures than the Sony Reader for example...could be the pictures of course...but the Iliad does have 16 greys instead of 4... Last edited by CommanderROR; 03-07-2006 at 02:03 PM.

03-07-2006, 02:11 PM	#47
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	HanLin e-Book According to Jinke's FAQ: The MSRP for the V2 will be 349 USD, or ~294 Euros. Battery life at least 8000 page flips. (Sony only claims 7500 as a maximum) I don't think ANYTHING but Sony can read their format at present. Jinke does not claim their reader will read it anyway, and knowing them, they probably won't let you download from their store unless you put it straight on one of their readers or some such obnoxious thing. Of course, none of that prevents someone from writing a hack to let the HanLin read BBeB format ....

03-07-2006, 02:29 PM	#49
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	BBeB format? Phuw! Phut! (spitting sounds) Oh, I don't have any desire, let alone intention of enabling Sony's paranoid DRM delusions, It just occured to me that if there were any legitimate pressure to do so, somebody will hack the thing. I don't mind a reasonable copy protection mechanism, but nothing that's going to be more restrictive than I'd find if I buy a paper book. In fact, I wouldn't be the slightest bit upset if they decided to package the texts in SD cards with their hardware-based copy protection implemented (the same stuff that's on DVD's, as it happens), and let any reader that's willing to accomodate it read the rascals.

03-07-2006, 01:42 PM	#44
doctorow Guru Posts: 914 Karma: 3410461 Join Date: May 2004 Device: Kindle Touch	Any info on what the HanLin might cost?

03-07-2006, 02:15 PM	#48
doctorow Guru Posts: 914 Karma: 3410461 Join Date: May 2004 Device: Kindle Touch	Seriously lack of BBeB support is not a criteria for me when buying an e-book reader. Sony has always made enemies by creating their own proprietary formats - why should I now bother to support them?

03-07-2006, 03:24 PM	#50
CommanderROR eink fanatic Posts: 2,022 Karma: 4924 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Germany Device: STAReBOOK, iRex Iliad, Sony 505, Kindle 2	Well...Amazon is not too hot with ebooks here in germany. I don't really like the idea of the sony Connect store either, but at the moment it seems to be the only "real" way to get a large amount of quality books (if they manage to provide what they promise). In Germany there is no real market for ebooks...all you can do is download "free" ebooks or look for "pirated" books on p2p...with dubious quality and of course dubious legality... I'm no fan of DRM and stuff like that, but as long as I buy the book to keep (not 60 day stuff...) it's ok. 10000+ books at launch sounds good to me and if Sony really delivers what they promise with the store I'll support it. Restrictions on the Device side are quite something different...I don't support that at all!!!

03-07-2006, 04:37 PM	#51
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	ebook sources Ah, now I see your concern. Project Gutenberg isn't quite your only option any more. Have a look at these: http://www.ebooks.com/ http://www.fictionwise.com/ You can also get texts directly from Baen Publishing through their Webscription service (you choose what you want to get & pay for -- they don't bug you about it), for cheap and in multiple formats. You can even get some of them before the paper release date. I know about eReader.com, but they only sell in the format that fits their reading software at the moment. I'm sure there are other sources I don't know about, I'm still pretty new to all this myself. Perhaps others might suggest more sources for e-texts....

03-07-2006, 05:39 PM	#52
CommanderROR eink fanatic Posts: 2,022 Karma: 4924 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Germany Device: STAReBOOK, iRex Iliad, Sony 505, Kindle 2	Well...thanks for the information. I actually knew that there were some suppliers about...but look at this: ebooks.com only has 1 book by Terry Pratchett (there are about 30 different books to date) and it is priced at 19$. Amazon.com has the Hardcovedr of the same book for about 15$...new...not used or anything fishy...so it is not really a good deal. Gutenberg is ok if you want "free" content...but it's not like they carry the new Fantasy and Science Fiction books I crave... If amazon started selling all their books as ebooks as well...that would be something...but it needs a company like Apple/Sony/Amazon to get publishers to even allow the sale of their books as e-books...royalties and stuff like that have to be discussed...but I suppose once the connect store goes online there will be more companies that offer this service...as long as Sony did not get an exclusive with the big publishers...and we all know Sony...

03-09-2006, 12:17 AM	#54
luag Zealot Posts: 144 Karma: 30 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia Device: Onyx Boox 60	what kind of battery Hanlin uses? internal rechargeable battery or AAAs?

03-09-2006, 06:32 AM	#55
CommanderROR eink fanatic Posts: 2,022 Karma: 4924 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Germany Device: STAReBOOK, iRex Iliad, Sony 505, Kindle 2	Internal LiIon I found this german site that gives more details on the Hanlin...download the doc file...I don't know their source...so it might not be true...if it is...then CHEERS! http://www.ebookmedia.de/v2.html Last edited by CommanderROR; 03-09-2006 at 06:38 AM.

03-09-2006, 11:00 AM	#57
luag Zealot Posts: 144 Karma: 30 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia Device: Onyx Boox 60	damn, i personally prefer AAAs for ebook readers :/ because its easier (and cheaper) to replace. i'll still consider Librie because of this alone hehe edit: nevermind, it seems like v2 use a common LiOn batteries that we can change quite easily. i just downloaded the doc file. Thx for the link Last edited by luag; 03-09-2006 at 11:33 AM.

03-09-2006, 11:49 AM	#60
luag Zealot Posts: 144 Karma: 30 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia Device: Onyx Boox 60	here's what i got: "This service is not currently available in your area. Please feel free to explore our Sony global sites for other exciting products and services. If you feel you have reached this page in error, please click here to contact our Customer Service department." so much for "see the world of sony"...

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