Need some answers (KF8 and EPUBs)

TAC · 06-15-2012, 09:28 AM

Hey guys, I have a few questions and I think you're all the right people to ask.

So to get straight to the point, I have to convert a lot of EPUB textbooks into the KF8 format, just because that is what I've been asked to do.

So, what exactly is KF8? I've tried my hardest searching around, and while there is some info it's not enough to stop me from being confused. Is it a MOBI file? Is there such thing as a .KF8?

I have some more questions, but I think that is good enough to start with.

Thanks everyone, I appreciate it

dwig · 06-15-2012, 10:00 AM

check out http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.htm...reative=390957

It's the "new" MOBI format and can have any of several extensions including MOBI and AZW. It is not compatible with most existing Kindle devices currently (2012/06) in use. It is compatible with the current devices, provided they've been updated to the newest firmware, and with the current Kindle apps for Mac, Win, Android, and iOS. Whereas the classic MOBI format was based on HTML3.2, KF8 is based on HTML5/CSS3 so conversion from the current ePub format (HTML4.01/CSS2 based) results in few formatting issues.

Amazon's tool for creation is KindleGen, either standalone or as part of Kindle Previewer. These files are hybrid files containing both a KF8 segment and a classic MOBI segment. The newest releases of calibre can also create KF8 files.

TAC · 06-15-2012, 10:05 AM

Thanks so much for the response!

I was told, however, to not use Calibre.

And also, how can one tell if a MOBI is using KF8 or not? I want to convert these EPUBS to look great on the kindle, but there are some formatting errors. How can I fix these manually?

Again, thanks for the help. It's tough knowing nothing about this stuff, haha.

DaleDe · 06-15-2012, 11:07 AM

Read about KF8 in our wiki. Generally it is easy to use the latest KindleGen to convert an ePub to KF8. KindleGen will create both a mobi and a KF8 in the same file and the kindle reader will pick the one it wants.

Dale

mncowboy · 06-19-2012, 05:18 PM

If you need to fix some formatting in the EPUBs install Sigil and cleanup the ebooks there, then convert to Kindle with Kindle Previewer.
Bob

Oldpilot · 07-01-2012, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaleDe

KindleGen will create both a mobi and a KF8 in the same file and the kindle reader will pick the one it wants. Dale

This is key. One doesn't have to tailor a file for the older Kindles and for the newer ones. (Nor does one have to use Kindlegen/Previewer. I upload html to the KDP platform, and the two files are created in the conversion process.)

Come to think of it, this is an odd duplication if the book contains nothing that is unique to the Fire etc. I use drop-caps because I like the way they look on the newer devices, but nothing else that requires KF8. Would a plain KF7 book also be duplicated in KF8 format within the mobi file?

DiapDealer · 07-01-2012, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Come to think of it, this is an odd duplication if the book contains nothing that is unique to the Fire etc. I use drop-caps because I like the way they look on the newer devices, but nothing else that requires KF8. Would a plain KF7 book also be duplicated in KF8 format within the mobi file?

Nothing is being duplicated in the files that ultimately reach the end-user. When a user purchases the book, they download either the stand-alone KF8 version of the book (if available) or the stand-alone MOBI version of the book—depending on the capabilities of their device or app. No one is downloading a file from Amazon that contains both versions. Publishers/Authors are only uploading the combined MOBI/KF8 file (and even then... only if they built the ebook themselves with Kindlegen) to Amazon.

Again: the combo file that contains both versions of the ebook is only being used to get both versions of the ebook to Amazon in a convenient package. The customer never gets that combo file (from Amazon anyway).

Oldpilot · 07-02-2012, 06:49 AM

Thanks--good to know.

(What a clever store! I expect that in another five years the same will apply when I buy a tee-shirt from Amazon. It will come in Large with my specifying it!)

06-15-2012, 09:28 AM	#1
TAC Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2012 Device: Kindle Fire	Need some answers (KF8 and EPUBs) Hey guys, I have a few questions and I think you're all the right people to ask. So to get straight to the point, I have to convert a lot of EPUB textbooks into the KF8 format, just because that is what I've been asked to do. So, what exactly is KF8? I've tried my hardest searching around, and while there is some info it's not enough to stop me from being confused. Is it a MOBI file? Is there such thing as a .KF8? I have some more questions, but I think that is good enough to start with. Thanks everyone, I appreciate it

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06-15-2012, 10:00 AM	#2
dwig Wizard Posts: 1,613 Karma: 6718479 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Paradise (Key West, FL) Device: Current:Surface Go & Kindle 3 - Retired: DellV8p, Clie UX50, ...	check out http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.htm...reative=390957 It's the "new" MOBI format and can have any of several extensions including MOBI and AZW. It is not compatible with most existing Kindle devices currently (2012/06) in use. It is compatible with the current devices, provided they've been updated to the newest firmware, and with the current Kindle apps for Mac, Win, Android, and iOS. Whereas the classic MOBI format was based on HTML3.2, KF8 is based on HTML5/CSS3 so conversion from the current ePub format (HTML4.01/CSS2 based) results in few formatting issues. Amazon's tool for creation is KindleGen, either standalone or as part of Kindle Previewer. These files are hybrid files containing both a KF8 segment and a classic MOBI segment. The newest releases of calibre can also create KF8 files.

06-15-2012, 10:05 AM	#3
TAC Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2012 Device: Kindle Fire	Thanks so much for the response! I was told, however, to not use Calibre. And also, how can one tell if a MOBI is using KF8 or not? I want to convert these EPUBS to look great on the kindle, but there are some formatting errors. How can I fix these manually? Again, thanks for the help. It's tough knowing nothing about this stuff, haha.

06-15-2012, 11:07 AM	#4
DaleDe Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,470 Karma: 13095790 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Grass Valley, CA Device: EB 1150, EZ Reader, Literati, iPad 2 & Air 2, iPhone 7	Read about KF8 in our wiki. Generally it is easy to use the latest KindleGen to convert an ePub to KF8. KindleGen will create both a mobi and a KF8 in the same file and the kindle reader will pick the one it wants. Dale

06-19-2012, 05:18 PM	#5
mncowboy Wanderer Posts: 106 Karma: 472218 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Kindle 3, PaperWhite 2	If you need to fix some formatting in the EPUBs install Sigil and cleanup the ebooks there, then convert to Kindle with Kindle Previewer. Bob

07-02-2012, 06:49 AM	#8
Oldpilot Groupie Posts: 184 Karma: 2572 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Kindle	Thanks--good to know. (What a clever store! I expect that in another five years the same will apply when I buy a tee-shirt from Amazon. It will come in Large with my specifying it!)

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