Converting Files For Kindle

Big Kev · 01-31-2010, 05:53 AM

Have been researching which reader to buy and it looks like a Kindle is my best option as there is not much available in Australia that is comparative and competitive in price.

Just wondering if some experienced Kindle users could clarify my understanding of converting files to read on a Kindle.

I have quite a few books I have downloaded from Gutenburg and the like and a number of documents I have created myself. They are mostly in .DOC, .HTML, .PDF & .TXT format and as I understand it I need to convert them to either .AZW, .TXT, .MOBI or .PRC format to read on the Kindle.

I assume I have to send them to AMAZON to convert to .AZW and that I can convert to .TXT, .MOBI & .PRC myself using Calibre then load them on the Kindle direct from my PC via USB connection.

Am I on the right track?

Thanks
Kevin

wallcraft · 01-31-2010, 06:57 AM

The AZW and MOBI formats are identical. So you can either email to Amazon or use Calibre for conversion. For Calibre, convert your .DOC to .RTF (or HTML if it contains images) first.

The Kindle now supports PDFs directly, but unless they are formatted for a Kindle 2's screen you are generally better off converting them to MOBI/AZW.

susan_cassidy · 01-31-2010, 01:58 PM

Most of the Gutenberg books are available on the other public domain sites (like Mobileread, Feedbooks, and manybooks.net) already formatted for Kindle. Often, they are better formatted. I don't know, though, if there are any geographic restrictions.

Mobipocket Creator, Publisher edition will convert most basic formats, and Calibre will convert a few others. Both are free downloads.

Sydney's Mom · 01-31-2010, 02:47 PM

Calibre is great, except for the PDF. I use Mobipocket Creator for that. I guess I'm just paranoid - I don't want Amazon knowing I buy books elsewhere, so I convert them myself. The few I sent to Amazon in the beginning for conversion weren't converted as the ones I did myself, anyway.

Congratulations on your K2. If you need any help, this is the place!

Big Kev · 01-31-2010, 06:36 PM

Thanks everyone for the advice. Now all I need to do is get my Kindle.

While I'm waiting for it I'll start converting some files so I'm ready to go when the Kindle arrives.

Regards
Kevin

BarryTX · 02-01-2010, 05:17 PM

If you follow any rss feeds, Calibre does a great job of assembling them into an e-book for you. It allows me to read my hometown newspaper while traveling internationally, for example. A great program with a very responsive developer.

Stevo · 02-01-2010, 09:50 PM

Calibre is great at converting, but I've sent a bunch of PDF's and RTF's to Amazon and they've come back perfectly.

lene1949 · 02-02-2010, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Kev

Thanks everyone for the advice. Now all I need to do is get my Kindle.

While I'm waiting for it I'll start converting some files so I'm ready to go when the Kindle arrives.

Regards
Kevin

I ordered my Kindle on a Tuesday and received it the next Monday... They're very quick... When you order something here in Australia it takes 5 days just to process the order...

It's a great unit... So easy to read on even in dim light - my light in the loungeroom is shocking, and I couldn't read my Hanvon, but I can read my Kindle.

lene1949 · 02-02-2010, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarryTX

If you follow any rss feeds, Calibre does a great job of assembling them into an e-book for you. It allows me to read my hometown newspaper while traveling internationally, for example. A great program with a very responsive developer.

Do you pay for the downloads?

Pardoz · 02-02-2010, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lene1949

Do you pay for the downloads?

Nope, calibre is free, and moving the downloaded feeds to your Kindle is free (well, assuming you use the USB cable to do so). If you absolutely must have them delivered via Whispernet, you can set calibre up to do so, but you'll pay the standard personal document delivery charge. Simpler just to plug it in, in most cases.

lene1949 · 02-02-2010, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pardoz

Nope, calibre is free, and moving the downloaded feeds to your Kindle is free (well, assuming you use the USB cable to do so). If you absolutely must have them delivered via Whispernet, you can set calibre up to do so, but you'll pay the standard personal document delivery charge. Simpler just to plug it in, in most cases.

Thank you! I've only had my kindle a few days, so I have lots to learn.

01-31-2010, 05:53 AM	#1
Big Kev Enthusiast Posts: 25 Karma: 43 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Perth, Western Australia Device: Kindle & Ipad	Converting Files For Kindle Have been researching which reader to buy and it looks like a Kindle is my best option as there is not much available in Australia that is comparative and competitive in price. Just wondering if some experienced Kindle users could clarify my understanding of converting files to read on a Kindle. I have quite a few books I have downloaded from Gutenburg and the like and a number of documents I have created myself. They are mostly in .DOC, .HTML, .PDF & .TXT format and as I understand it I need to convert them to either .AZW, .TXT, .MOBI or .PRC format to read on the Kindle. I assume I have to send them to AMAZON to convert to .AZW and that I can convert to .TXT, .MOBI & .PRC myself using Calibre then load them on the Kindle direct from my PC via USB connection. Am I on the right track? Thanks Kevin

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01-31-2010, 06:57 AM	#2
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	The AZW and MOBI formats are identical. So you can either email to Amazon or use Calibre for conversion. For Calibre, convert your .DOC to .RTF (or HTML if it contains images) first. The Kindle now supports PDFs directly, but unless they are formatted for a Kindle 2's screen you are generally better off converting them to MOBI/AZW.

01-31-2010, 01:58 PM	#3
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	Most of the Gutenberg books are available on the other public domain sites (like Mobileread, Feedbooks, and manybooks.net) already formatted for Kindle. Often, they are better formatted. I don't know, though, if there are any geographic restrictions. Mobipocket Creator, Publisher edition will convert most basic formats, and Calibre will convert a few others. Both are free downloads.

01-31-2010, 02:47 PM	#4
Sydney's Mom Wizard Posts: 2,895 Karma: 6995721 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Idaho, on the side of a mountain Device: Kindle Oasis, Fire 3d Gen and 5th Gen and Samsung Tab S	Calibre is great, except for the PDF. I use Mobipocket Creator for that. I guess I'm just paranoid - I don't want Amazon knowing I buy books elsewhere, so I convert them myself. The few I sent to Amazon in the beginning for conversion weren't converted as the ones I did myself, anyway. Congratulations on your K2. If you need any help, this is the place!

01-31-2010, 06:36 PM	#5
Big Kev Enthusiast Posts: 25 Karma: 43 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Perth, Western Australia Device: Kindle & Ipad	Thanks everyone for the advice. Now all I need to do is get my Kindle. While I'm waiting for it I'll start converting some files so I'm ready to go when the Kindle arrives. Regards Kevin

02-01-2010, 05:17 PM	#6
BarryTX Connoisseur Posts: 88 Karma: 39328 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: Kindle 2	If you follow any rss feeds, Calibre does a great job of assembling them into an e-book for you. It allows me to read my hometown newspaper while traveling internationally, for example. A great program with a very responsive developer.

02-01-2010, 09:50 PM	#7
Stevo Member Posts: 23 Karma: 46 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: SoCal Device: Kindle 3!!!	Calibre is great at converting, but I've sent a bunch of PDF's and RTF's to Amazon and they've come back perfectly.

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