Want to copy entire calibre library to sd card

OldLincoln · 08-23-2020, 05:34 PM

I finally got a modern tablet and 128GB sd card. I'm frustrated at going to my pc to look up an author and or books from before so I know what I'm getting on KU. Can I just copy the entire library to my sd card and use Calibre Companion as my interface? By the way, I have over 11k books going back to 2012. The library is 17GB in size.

Sounds simple but once before I destroyed my database trying to change stuff. I will always add new books to Calibre on PC as normal, but then can use CC to put them on my tablet.

I will hold off until I get an answer, hopefully from a couple experts. I'm too old to screw this up again.

BetterRed · 08-23-2020, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldLincoln

I finally got a modern tablet and 128GB sd card. I'm frustrated at going to my pc to look up an author and or books from before so I know what I'm getting on KU. Can I just copy the entire library to my sd card and use Calibre Companion as my interface? By the way, I have over 11k books going back to 2012. The library is 17GB in size.

Sounds simple but once before I destroyed my database trying to change stuff. I will always add new books to Calibre on PC as normal, but then can use CC to put them on my tablet.

I will hold off until I get an answer, hopefully from a couple experts. I'm too old to screw this up again.

Which PC OS (MacOS, Linux or Windows) and what sort of Tablet (iOS, Android, Windows)? There might be different considerations for different combos.

BR

theducks · 08-23-2020, 08:05 PM

CC wants you to use their interface to transfer books. It does not do well with side loaded books.
Do spend some time down in the Calibre Companion forum here at MR.
Things are not going smooth

as when the originators had it. OTOH the Tablet OS ongoing development is not making the new guys job any easier.

DNSB · 08-23-2020, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldLincoln

I finally got a modern tablet and 128GB sd card. I'm frustrated at going to my pc to look up an author and or books from before so I know what I'm getting on KU. Can I just copy the entire library to my sd card and use Calibre Companion as my interface? By the way, I have over 11k books going back to 2012. The library is 17GB in size.

Sounds simple but once before I destroyed my database trying to change stuff. I will always add new books to Calibre on PC as normal, but then can use CC to put them on my tablet.

I will hold off until I get an answer, hopefully from a couple experts. I'm too old to screw this up again.

I would suggest generating a catalog in calibre and then transferring it to your tablet. Use that catalog to check a book before you borrow it from KU or repurchase it.

stumped · 08-24-2020, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

CC wants you to use their interface to transfer books. It does not do well with side loaded books.
Do spend some time down in the Calibre Companion forum here at MR.
...(

...but it does have an option to access a CALIBRE library copy on an SD card ( unless the new guys managed to break that! - should still work
the bigger hassle is getting a multi gig library onto an SD card in the first place, unless your PC has an SD CARD Writer ONBOARD

also, you then have to keep it in sync with your PC source library - another hassle. but it can be done with an android app like folder sync pro

OldLincoln · 08-26-2020, 12:37 AM

I prefer to keep CC as my android 10 tablet database interface to Calibre. I have dismal wifi and am the only user. To CC books down takes a few minutes for 15 books, 11kbooks = forever.

Originally hoped to USB cable from Calibre to tablet, connect tablet CC to Calibre and bring all books down. I don't understand all what I read on Calibre connections but didn't see USB as an option.

Second choice was hoping to direct copy Calibre db to an sd card on pc, then from the sd card now in the tablet [something magic happens] and CC pulls books into it's tablet database. My understanding now is no way as CC absolutely must connect to primary Calibre to get books. Fine for several books, less than ideal for thousands.

Other options?

stumped · 08-26-2020, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldLincoln

on.

Second choice was hoping to direct copy Calibre db to an sd card on pc, then from the sd card now in the tablet [something magic happens] and CC pulls books into it's tablet database.

Other options?

YES, but you have to put the tablet SD into the PC, copy the library to it, then put it back into the tablet. ( YOU CAN DO IT WIRELESSLY BUT ITS BIG ASK, FOR 17gb

in CC connect options you should then see an option to connect to SD card, instead of connect to cloud or content server

OldLincoln · 08-26-2020, 07:09 PM

Really!! Wow... that is better than the other methods. No problem copying the pc database to the scars as I got a card reader with it. I can see the card on the pc and copy files. Installed in the tablet, you say I can open CC, set the director folder to the Calibre the on the card and in business. To add books from pc Calibre, can I just continue to pull them in wirelessly to that same db?

Sorry to be so dull, in my working years 40 years ago I was sharp and quick. Getting old takes a lot of patience. Thanks for your patience and willingness to help.
Oldlincoln

stumped · 08-27-2020, 01:10 AM

yes, that is how its is designed to work ( NB its not something I have actually done, but that's how its supposed to work. do ask again if you hit any problems)

TIP. be clear in your mind that you will end up with 2 databases
1. the exact copy of the source( PC) calibre library which is going to end up on SD card in your tablet
2. the database which cc itself will build as you use it to fetch books ( from that SD card, or via the other connectivity options. ) CC will continue to see the SD card file as a " remote" calibre library. it will not try to write to it or update it.

3. to keep the SD card and pc libraries in sync, there are other apps for that if you want to explore that later, but I suggest get the basic set up working first. Then I recommend android app folder sync ( free or pro)

OldLincoln · 08-31-2020, 02:56 PM

Thanks for your tips. It popped my bubble, however, as my [something magic happens] allowing CC to process the copied db into a CC db isn't going to happen. After all, my goal was to have that CC database containing all Calibre books on my tablet.

I've burned a lot of cells trying to find a way to firm up my wifi which appears to be limited to 100mbs although my tablets are rated for gbs speeds. I discovered the router provides the "n", not the "cs" settings.

Another thought, (plan g or e) is to copy books from the CC folder on my other tabs to the new tab. Is that an alternative? If so, I might task one of my earlier tabs to grab batches of Calibre books overnight then move them to the new one.

I understand CC is pretty much a finished product, so looking to Calibre it would be great if it could someday provide a converted book that combined all selected custom columns, even nulls. That would allow tablet recording of book metadata that would update Calibre through CC. Currently allows marking a book read and date, but not "my rating", a custom column. This means I have to visit my pc and Calibre to update.

You might think that is small stuff, but I only get to the pc about weekly. By then I have read at least 6 books, and thumbed through others scouting future reads and don't recall my rating most of the time. I have to look up each book on the tab to see my rating, then copy it to Calibre. As a full time caretaker I sit and read 10+ hours a day. I complete over 300 books a year so for it is an issue (many are quick reads).

I have used Calibre since the early days and consider it terrific. I'd be lost without it. My request is selfish but ask it get a thought for consideration.

Thanks all.

08-23-2020, 05:34 PM	#1
OldLincoln Zealot Posts: 103 Karma: 1961918 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: FBReader	Want to copy entire calibre library to sd card I finally got a modern tablet and 128GB sd card. I'm frustrated at going to my pc to look up an author and or books from before so I know what I'm getting on KU. Can I just copy the entire library to my sd card and use Calibre Companion as my interface? By the way, I have over 11k books going back to 2012. The library is 17GB in size. Sounds simple but once before I destroyed my database trying to change stuff. I will always add new books to Calibre on PC as normal, but then can use CC to put them on my tablet. I will hold off until I get an answer, hopefully from a couple experts. I'm too old to screw this up again.

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08-23-2020, 08:05 PM	#3
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 29,801 Karma: 54830978 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	CC wants you to use their interface to transfer books. It does not do well with side loaded books. Do spend some time down in the Calibre Companion forum here at MR. Things are not going smooth as when the originators had it. OTOH the Tablet OS ongoing development is not making the new guys job any easier.

08-26-2020, 12:37 AM	#6
OldLincoln Zealot Posts: 103 Karma: 1961918 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: FBReader	I prefer to keep CC as my android 10 tablet database interface to Calibre. I have dismal wifi and am the only user. To CC books down takes a few minutes for 15 books, 11kbooks = forever. Originally hoped to USB cable from Calibre to tablet, connect tablet CC to Calibre and bring all books down. I don't understand all what I read on Calibre connections but didn't see USB as an option. Second choice was hoping to direct copy Calibre db to an sd card on pc, then from the sd card now in the tablet [something magic happens] and CC pulls books into it's tablet database. My understanding now is no way as CC absolutely must connect to primary Calibre to get books. Fine for several books, less than ideal for thousands. Other options?

08-26-2020, 07:09 PM	#8
OldLincoln Zealot Posts: 103 Karma: 1961918 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: FBReader	Really!! Wow... that is better than the other methods. No problem copying the pc database to the scars as I got a card reader with it. I can see the card on the pc and copy files. Installed in the tablet, you say I can open CC, set the director folder to the Calibre the on the card and in business. To add books from pc Calibre, can I just continue to pull them in wirelessly to that same db? Sorry to be so dull, in my working years 40 years ago I was sharp and quick. Getting old takes a lot of patience. Thanks for your patience and willingness to help. Oldlincoln

08-27-2020, 01:10 AM	#9
stumped Wizard Posts: 3,305 Karma: 10259306 Join Date: May 2016 Device: kobo forma, Kobo Libra, Huawei media Tab, fire HD10, PW3 HDX8.9,	yes, that is how its is designed to work ( NB its not something I have actually done, but that's how its supposed to work. do ask again if you hit any problems) TIP. be clear in your mind that you will end up with 2 databases 1. the exact copy of the source( PC) calibre library which is going to end up on SD card in your tablet 2. the database which cc itself will build as you use it to fetch books ( from that SD card, or via the other connectivity options. ) CC will continue to see the SD card file as a " remote" calibre library. it will not try to write to it or update it. 3. to keep the SD card and pc libraries in sync, there are other apps for that if you want to explore that later, but I suggest get the basic set up working first. Then I recommend android app folder sync ( free or pro)

08-31-2020, 02:56 PM	#10
OldLincoln Zealot Posts: 103 Karma: 1961918 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: FBReader	Thanks for your tips. It popped my bubble, however, as my [something magic happens] allowing CC to process the copied db into a CC db isn't going to happen. After all, my goal was to have that CC database containing all Calibre books on my tablet. I've burned a lot of cells trying to find a way to firm up my wifi which appears to be limited to 100mbs although my tablets are rated for gbs speeds. I discovered the router provides the "n", not the "cs" settings. Another thought, (plan g or e) is to copy books from the CC folder on my other tabs to the new tab. Is that an alternative? If so, I might task one of my earlier tabs to grab batches of Calibre books overnight then move them to the new one. I understand CC is pretty much a finished product, so looking to Calibre it would be great if it could someday provide a converted book that combined all selected custom columns, even nulls. That would allow tablet recording of book metadata that would update Calibre through CC. Currently allows marking a book read and date, but not "my rating", a custom column. This means I have to visit my pc and Calibre to update. You might think that is small stuff, but I only get to the pc about weekly. By then I have read at least 6 books, and thumbed through others scouting future reads and don't recall my rating most of the time. I have to look up each book on the tab to see my rating, then copy it to Calibre. As a full time caretaker I sit and read 10+ hours a day. I complete over 300 books a year so for it is an issue (many are quick reads). I have used Calibre since the early days and consider it terrific. I'd be lost without it. My request is selfish but ask it get a thought for consideration. Thanks all.

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