prs-600: questions on font support and price

YepYep · 11-21-2009, 01:37 PM

Hi there,

After reading this website for quite a while, I'm still not sure how e-readers, and in particular the Sony PRS-600, support fonts. A large amount of the pdf's I read have characters like the ones you see in the attachment. I.e., with strokes above vowels and dots underneath consonants (also note the 'superscript c'). A font like Gentium supports all of this, so if the primary font does of the device does not support it, is it possible to change the font?

In addition, I would love to hear your input on the price of the PRS-600. Do you think 400CAD is fair? Do you think it might drop in the near future? Should I wait for a next generation of devices anyway? Your input is much appreciated..

YepYep · 11-23-2009, 02:31 PM

Well thank you all for your enthusiasm

Maybe the question is tougher than I assumed. Anyway, I called up Sony and their official response is that the font cannot be changed. Haven't looked into any hacks yet, who knows.. I did buy a SD-card, so I will put some books on it and take it with me to the store. Let me know if you're interested in an update on that.

Also, I still appreciate any comments on the price vv. future releases! Let me hear what you think of the current prices.

grooks · 11-23-2009, 02:45 PM

I suspect your original post got buried but see the link to a thread that may give you some answers.

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28447

wallcraft · 11-23-2009, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YepYep

A large amount of the pdf's I read have characters like the ones you see in the attachment. I.e., with strokes above vowels and dots underneath consonants (also note the 'superscript c'). A font like Gentium supports all of this, so if the primary font does of the device does not support it, is it possible to change the font?

If the font is embedded in the PDF, then this should work ok. One way to test this would be to try Sony eBook Library under Windows or on a Mac. At one time this was an exact emulation of the PRS-700, and it should still be very close for PDFs to the PRS-600.

I don't know if there is a way to add fonts to the PRS-600 device itself for PDFs. The threads I have seen on this apply to LRF fonts and (separately) to ePub fonts.

Latinandgreek · 11-23-2009, 03:33 PM

The fonts should work in PDF format (I have the Sony PRS-505); I have stuff with both the vowel length marked by lines and the dots underneath (in one of my Intro to Sanskrit files, it is a text based PDF, not scanned) and it shows up with no problem on my reader; however, when you use reflow it might reflow a little wonky. Other kinds of embedded text, such as Greek, etc. work as well.

Hope that helps. If you are really concerned, you can send me the file and I can try it out on my reader and upload a picture.

YepYep · 11-23-2009, 09:25 PM

great stuff out there people. Great stuff, but it's geared towards the 505, does all of this also work for the 600? (or would you suggest getting a 505 anyway?)

Latinandgreek, this is just the kind of hands-on experience which I was looking for! No need for a picture I think, I'll just check it in the store tomorrow, we'll see.

Latinandgreek · 11-24-2009, 03:49 PM

I'm pretty sure that the 600 can handle it if the 505 can, but if it isn't a problem check just to make sure. If you don't need the ability to write notes or use the dictionary function, then I DO suggest the 505 - it is a fantastic reader, and you might be able to find it on sale. Some people like the 505 better than the 600 as the screen has less glare, but to each his own. Some people on MobileRead have bought theirs at Target for as low as $70 on clearance not too long ago. It's probably a long shot, but it is worth checking out the stores in your area or perhaps even calling them to see if they have the 505 on clearance if you are interested. Best of luck!

11-21-2009, 01:37 PM	#1
YepYep Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: none	prs-600: questions on font support and price Hi there, After reading this website for quite a while, I'm still not sure how e-readers, and in particular the Sony PRS-600, support fonts. A large amount of the pdf's I read have characters like the ones you see in the attachment. I.e., with strokes above vowels and dots underneath consonants (also note the 'superscript c'). A font like Gentium supports all of this, so if the primary font does of the device does not support it, is it possible to change the font? In addition, I would love to hear your input on the price of the PRS-600. Do you think 400CAD is fair? Do you think it might drop in the near future? Should I wait for a next generation of devices anyway? Your input is much appreciated.. Attached Thumbnails

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11-23-2009, 02:31 PM	#2
YepYep Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: none	Well thank you all for your enthusiasm Maybe the question is tougher than I assumed. Anyway, I called up Sony and their official response is that the font cannot be changed. Haven't looked into any hacks yet, who knows.. I did buy a SD-card, so I will put some books on it and take it with me to the store. Let me know if you're interested in an update on that. Also, I still appreciate any comments on the price vv. future releases! Let me hear what you think of the current prices.

11-23-2009, 02:45 PM	#3
grooks Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 30250 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fort Myers, FL Device: Pocketbook Era, Kobo Forma	I suspect your original post got buried but see the link to a thread that may give you some answers. https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28447

11-23-2009, 03:33 PM	#5
Latinandgreek Warrior Princess Posts: 5,038 Karma: 9724231 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: PRS-505; PRS-350, PRS-T1, iPad, Aura HD	The fonts should work in PDF format (I have the Sony PRS-505); I have stuff with both the vowel length marked by lines and the dots underneath (in one of my Intro to Sanskrit files, it is a text based PDF, not scanned) and it shows up with no problem on my reader; however, when you use reflow it might reflow a little wonky. Other kinds of embedded text, such as Greek, etc. work as well. Hope that helps. If you are really concerned, you can send me the file and I can try it out on my reader and upload a picture.

11-23-2009, 09:25 PM	#6
YepYep Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: none	great stuff out there people. Great stuff, but it's geared towards the 505, does all of this also work for the 600? (or would you suggest getting a 505 anyway?) Latinandgreek, this is just the kind of hands-on experience which I was looking for! No need for a picture I think, I'll just check it in the store tomorrow, we'll see.

11-24-2009, 03:49 PM	#7
Latinandgreek Warrior Princess Posts: 5,038 Karma: 9724231 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: PRS-505; PRS-350, PRS-T1, iPad, Aura HD	I'm pretty sure that the 600 can handle it if the 505 can, but if it isn't a problem check just to make sure. If you don't need the ability to write notes or use the dictionary function, then I DO suggest the 505 - it is a fantastic reader, and you might be able to find it on sale. Some people like the 505 better than the 600 as the screen has less glare, but to each his own. Some people on MobileRead have bought theirs at Target for as low as $70 on clearance not too long ago. It's probably a long shot, but it is worth checking out the stores in your area or perhaps even calling them to see if they have the 505 on clearance if you are interested. Best of luck!