Thinking about buying this device

Tarawa · 12-03-2008, 07:01 PM

I want to replace my old aging sony cleo (something like that) palm based PDA, all I use it for is reading ebooks, I'm wondering tho, can the PRS700 read/decode ebooks bought from ereader.com, they're *.pdb files, and are locked to the credit card info from the site.

Thanks

astra · 12-04-2008, 06:39 AM

In a few words. No.

ShellShock · 12-04-2008, 04:37 PM

This thread succinctly sums up why I hate DRM.

Whatever reader I have now, no matter how cutting edge, one day (and maybe not that too far off) it will be obsolete. I buy ebooks to last. I may not want to re-read an ebook next year, it may not be 10 years until I pick it up again. How can I be sure that it will still be compatible with my favoured device then? And for this publishers expect us to pay the same or sometimes more than for a p-book. Come on - who are they kidding?

JayBoy · 12-04-2008, 06:47 PM

I agree with ShellShock. If they are going use Drm atleast standardize it to a few file types that they can support on an ongoing basis, instead of a bunch of here-today-gone-tomorrow experimental file types.

moz · 12-04-2008, 10:51 PM

Ideally standardise on something like Microsoft's .lit format so that it works for everyone. But I don't see it happening because there are too many luddites involved. Many of whom would like to stop you selling your books second hand and see this as the ideal opportunity to have another go, and add back the clickwrap licenses that have been struck down in most legal systems.

My approach is just to refuse to buy DRM'd books that I can't remove the DRM from.

HarryT · 12-09-2008, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShellShock

This thread succinctly sums up why I hate DRM.

Whatever reader I have now, no matter how cutting edge, one day (and maybe not that too far off) it will be obsolete. I buy ebooks to last. I may not want to re-read an ebook next year, it may not be 10 years until I pick it up again. How can I be sure that it will still be compatible with my favoured device then? And for this publishers expect us to pay the same or sometimes more than for a p-book. Come on - who are they kidding?

This has nothing to do with DRM - it's simply a matter of differing, incompatible file formats.

It's no different to many other fields. If you buy an lens for a Nikon camera, and in 5 years time you go out and buy a Canon camera, you won't be able to use your Nikon lens with the Canon camera.

ShellShock · 12-09-2008, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

This has nothing to do with DRM - it's simply a matter of differing, incompatible file formats.

It's no different to many other fields. If you buy an lens for a Nikon camera, and in 5 years time you go out and buy a Canon camera, you won't be able to use your Nikon lens with the Canon camera.

I don't think your analogy rings true - an e-book replaces a p-book. A p-book is still perfectly usable after 10 years, but an e-book may not be, because of lack of standardisation on file and DRM formats.

To use your camera analogy, I would expect the pictures produced by a digital camera to still be viewable after 10 years.

Also, if I buy a cover light for my PRS505, and in 5 years time I go out and buy a PlasticLogic reader, I would not expect to be able to use my Sony cover light with my PlasticLogic reader. But I would expect the media (ebooks/pictures) used by the device (reader/camera) to still be accessible. If fact most digital cameras will happily load pictures taken on other cameras (e.g., using jpeg format). You cannot say the same about e-Readers.

HarryT · 12-09-2008, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShellShock

Also, if I buy a cover light for my PRS505, and in 5 years time I go out and buy a PlasticLogic reader, I would not expect to be able to use my Sony cover light with my PlasticLogic reader. But I would expect the media (ebooks/pictures) used by the device (reader/camera) to still be accessible. If fact most digital cameras will happily load pictures taken on other cameras (e.g., using jpeg format). You cannot say the same about e-Readers.

You have a reasonable chance of "longevity" if you stick with popular file formats. Eg, MobiPocket format books are readable by every eInk device on the market (with the exception of the Sony Reader), so if you stick with Mobi format (as I made the decision to a while ago) you have a wide choice of devices on which to read your books. I don't know what I'll be reading my books on in 10 years time, but I'm confident that I'll be able to get a device which will read MobiPocket books.

tompe · 12-09-2008, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

This has nothing to do with DRM - it's simply a matter of differing, incompatible file formats.

It has everything to do with DRM. Incompatibel file formats can be converted to each other. DRM stop this in many cases.

Quote:

It's no different to many other fields. If you buy an lens for a Nikon camera, and in 5 years time you go out and buy a Canon camera, you won't be able to use your Nikon lens with the Canon camera.

I think you can do that. You can buy a converter so you can use a Nikon lens in a Canon camera. It there was some key to unlock the Nikon lens that would not have been possible. So the fact that the lens is DRM free makes it usable on the Canon camera.

HarryT · 12-09-2008, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tompe

I think you can do that. You can buy a converter so you can use a Nikon lens in a Canon camera. It there was some key to unlock the Nikon lens that would not have been possible. So the fact that the lens is DRM free makes it usable on the Canon camera.

With simple mechanical lenses you can get a converter. Most modern lenses, though, are full of sophisticated electronics (the equivalent of "DRM", if you like

) and will only work with their original brand of device.

wallcraft · 12-09-2008, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarawa

I'm wondering tho, can the PRS700 read/decode ebooks bought from ereader.com, they're *.pdb files, and are locked to the credit card info from the site.

There is currently no EInk device that supports eReader ebooks. However, if you are willing to crack the DRM encryption, the script ereader2html.py will convert these to DRM-free HTML plus images. Then you can use Calibre to convert to an ebook (ePub or LRF) for the PRS700, or MobiPocket Reader (among others) to convert to MOBI for almost any non-Sony EInk Reader.

tompe · 12-09-2008, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

With simple mechanical lenses you can get a converter. Most modern lenses, though, are full of sophisticated electronics (the equivalent of "DRM", if you like

) and will only work with their original brand of device.

It seems to work somewhat with modern lenses also. See e.g.:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/roxsen-converter.htm

HarryT · 12-09-2008, 10:16 AM

Hmmm. I'm not sure I'd risk it. Too much chance of destroying a $1000 lens

. Interesting article, though - thanks for the link.

12-03-2008, 07:01 PM	#1
Tarawa Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2008 Device: none	Thinking about buying this device I want to replace my old aging sony cleo (something like that) palm based PDA, all I use it for is reading ebooks, I'm wondering tho, can the PRS700 read/decode ebooks bought from ereader.com, they're *.pdb files, and are locked to the credit card info from the site. Thanks

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12-04-2008, 06:39 AM	#2
astra The Introvert Posts: 8,307 Karma: 1000077497 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: United Kingdom Device: Sony Reader PRS-650 & 505 & 500	In a few words. No.

12-04-2008, 04:37 PM	#3
ShellShock Wizard Posts: 1,176 Karma: 2431850 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: IPad Mini 2 Retina	This thread succinctly sums up why I hate DRM. Whatever reader I have now, no matter how cutting edge, one day (and maybe not that too far off) it will be obsolete. I buy ebooks to last. I may not want to re-read an ebook next year, it may not be 10 years until I pick it up again. How can I be sure that it will still be compatible with my favoured device then? And for this publishers expect us to pay the same or sometimes more than for a p-book. Come on - who are they kidding?

12-04-2008, 06:47 PM	#4
JayBoy Member Posts: 11 Karma: 92 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto Device: Sony PRS-700	I agree with ShellShock. If they are going use Drm atleast standardize it to a few file types that they can support on an ongoing basis, instead of a bunch of here-today-gone-tomorrow experimental file types.

12-04-2008, 10:51 PM	#5
moz Addict Posts: 370 Karma: 1553 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Melbun Device: Kobo H2O	Ideally standardise on something like Microsoft's .lit format so that it works for everyone. But I don't see it happening because there are too many luddites involved. Many of whom would like to stop you selling your books second hand and see this as the ideal opportunity to have another go, and add back the clickwrap licenses that have been struck down in most legal systems. My approach is just to refuse to buy DRM'd books that I can't remove the DRM from.

12-09-2008, 10:16 AM	#13
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Hmmm. I'm not sure I'd risk it. Too much chance of destroying a $1000 lens . Interesting article, though - thanks for the link.