ePub on KIndle

geeksquadofun · 11-06-2010, 02:05 PM

I keep reading about the Kindle not supporting ePub format.

I have some books in ePub and I used Calibre to convert to MOBI and am satisfied....

Do I not understand the issue ?

Thanks.

TheKindleWorm · 11-06-2010, 02:11 PM

Unprotected ePub files do convert fine into mobi files to read on the Kindle. I've never had any issues with converting these.

The issue is with protected DRMd ePub files as you would need to remove the protection first before conversion. And also many library books which are also in the ePub format.

It isn't a big issue for myself but it is for some.

desertblues · 11-06-2010, 02:56 PM

Also, removing DRM is viewed as illegal in some countries.

Don0801 · 11-06-2010, 03:30 PM

> I keep reading about the Kindle not supporting ePub format.
This means Kindle doesn't support it natively. For example, if you copy an ePub file directly to Kindle (to its "document" directory), your Kindle simply won't show it.

Also, Amazon's in-house conversion tool won't accept it if you email it to your Kindle account.

>... convert to MOBI and am satisfied....
Then, it's "MOBI" you're dealing with now, not ePub.

The Terminator · 11-06-2010, 04:01 PM

Most eBooks from the library are protected DRM epubs

which can't be converted. PDF barely works on the KOBO not sure about the Kindle the panning around the page sucks.

terriblue · 11-06-2010, 05:22 PM

I love my Kindle 2 because of its lightness and the accessibility of controls, but I recently acquired a Sony Pocket Reader 300--cheaply--when the new readers came out solely for the purpose of reading epub library books. I have access to an extensive collection. I really don't like the Sony's page turning arrangement, but it works well for this purpose. I would rather have just stayed with Kindle, but that did not seem to be an option. For the record, the books I'm reading are not books that I would have paid for from Amazon or a bookstore. I would have just gone to the local library.

geeksquadofun · 11-06-2010, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don0801

> I keep reading about the Kindle not supporting ePub format.
This means Kindle doesn't support it natively. For example, if you copy an ePub file directly to Kindle (to its "document" directory), your Kindle simply won't show it.

Also, Amazon's in-house conversion tool won't accept it if you email it to your Kindle account.

>... convert to MOBI and am satisfied....
Then, it's "MOBI" you're dealing with now, not ePub.

I understand now - DRM protected ePub books. OK.

I have only worked with free ePub books and have not had issue with the extra step of converting to MOBI.

Thanks. Got it.

JeremyR · 11-06-2010, 08:26 PM

Beyond that, having to convert is another step. Sure, it only takes a couple minutes in Calibre. But after a few hundred books, it adds up.

So does the file size. I guess epub uses a better compression, they are usually only about 70% of the size of a mobi file. Again, not an issue on a case by case basis, but after awhile it adds up.

And simply working with epub is a lot better than mobi. Spot a typo in an epub? Fire up sigil and fix it. There's nothing like that for mobi.

FF2 · 11-06-2010, 10:08 PM

Any easy epub viewers for Windows? At this point I'm just curious what/how they look compared with Kindle's mobi format? Or compared to converting epub to mobi?

Blue Tyson · 11-06-2010, 10:46 PM

There's a Firefox epub reader add-on.

ATDrake · 11-06-2010, 10:54 PM

There's also Lucidor, which can be installed as a Firefox add-on (not compatible with ePubReader) or standalone (works better).

The ePub you should try to get an idea of just what the format is capable of is the version of Jerome K. Jerome's comedic classic, Three Men in a Boat, done by one of our very own MR moderators. Looks absolutely marvelous as-is, turns to rubbish once converted to mobi.

curstpriest · 11-06-2010, 11:43 PM

You can use the duokan firmware to read epubs now can't you, I thought I read the english translation was released today...

Ken Irving · 11-06-2010, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FF2

Any easy epub viewers for Windows? At this point I'm just curious what/how they look compared with Kindle's mobi format? Or compared to converting epub to mobi?

The Firefox eppubreader is very good as clicking on an epub file on the Internet will immediately open it up in the browser. Easy to install too.

Most sellers of devices like Kindle, Nook, Kobo, etc. also have PC/Mac readers, and all but the Kindle4PC will probably handle epub The best of the epub PC/Mac readers, in my opinion, is the Nookstudy, as you can have multiple books open at one time, view two parts of a book at the same time, use a one-page or two-page format, take notes and save or print them outside the reader, etc. I have found the others rather stiff and lacking in features.

FF2 · 11-07-2010, 12:59 AM

Thanks for all the suggestions and that book reference.

I installed Lucidor and see the graphics of "Three Men in a Boat." I will play with conversion and see what's what.

Again, thanks.

Nexutix · 11-07-2010, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertblues

Also, removing DRM is viewed as illegal in some countries.

It shouldn't be pronounced illegal upto the point you are doing it for yourself and abstain from uploading, emailing, or using any other means of mass distribution. IMO, the DRM removed file must be deleted as soon as you are done with it.

Secondly, we don't know whether authors llike it or not. (Even if we do it for home and personal use.) Finally, it's their work and, of course, intellectual property.

11-06-2010, 02:05 PM	#1
geeksquadofun Member Posts: 23 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle 3	ePub on KIndle I keep reading about the Kindle not supporting ePub format. I have some books in ePub and I used Calibre to convert to MOBI and am satisfied.... Do I not understand the issue ? Thanks.

11-06-2010, 04:01 PM	#5
The Terminator Retired Posts: 2,552 Karma: 37638420 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Vancouver Island Canada Device: Kobo Touch, Optimus One (2.3), Nexus 7 (4.2)	Renting books from the library Most eBooks from the library are protected DRM epubs which can't be converted. PDF barely works on the KOBO not sure about the Kindle the panning around the page sucks.

11-06-2010, 05:22 PM	#6
terriblue Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: kindle 2; Sony PRS 300	why I have a second reader I love my Kindle 2 because of its lightness and the accessibility of controls, but I recently acquired a Sony Pocket Reader 300--cheaply--when the new readers came out solely for the purpose of reading epub library books. I have access to an extensive collection. I really don't like the Sony's page turning arrangement, but it works well for this purpose. I would rather have just stayed with Kindle, but that did not seem to be an option. For the record, the books I'm reading are not books that I would have paid for from Amazon or a bookstore. I would have just gone to the local library.

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11-06-2010, 02:11 PM	#2
TheKindleWorm Guru Posts: 860 Karma: 177868 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: East Anglia UK Device: Kindle 3G, iPhone 3G, iPod 4G, PB 360, Sony 600 sold, Kindle 2i sold	Unprotected ePub files do convert fine into mobi files to read on the Kindle. I've never had any issues with converting these. The issue is with protected DRMd ePub files as you would need to remove the protection first before conversion. And also many library books which are also in the ePub format. It isn't a big issue for myself but it is for some.

11-06-2010, 02:56 PM	#3
desertblues Home for the moment Posts: 5,127 Karma: 27718936 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: travelling Device: various	Also, removing DRM is viewed as illegal in some countries.

11-06-2010, 03:30 PM	#4
Don0801 Member Posts: 20 Karma: 18504 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: MA Device: Kindle 3 wi-fi	> I keep reading about the Kindle not supporting ePub format. This means Kindle doesn't support it natively. For example, if you copy an ePub file directly to Kindle (to its "document" directory), your Kindle simply won't show it. Also, Amazon's in-house conversion tool won't accept it if you email it to your Kindle account. >... convert to MOBI and am satisfied.... Then, it's "MOBI" you're dealing with now, not ePub.

11-06-2010, 08:26 PM	#8
JeremyR Guru Posts: 973 Karma: 2458402 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: St. Louis Device: Kindle Keyboard, Nook HD+	Beyond that, having to convert is another step. Sure, it only takes a couple minutes in Calibre. But after a few hundred books, it adds up. So does the file size. I guess epub uses a better compression, they are usually only about 70% of the size of a mobi file. Again, not an issue on a case by case basis, but after awhile it adds up. And simply working with epub is a lot better than mobi. Spot a typo in an epub? Fire up sigil and fix it. There's nothing like that for mobi.

11-06-2010, 10:08 PM	#9
FF2 Wizard Posts: 1,105 Karma: 1025784 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: WiFi Kindle3	Any easy epub viewers for Windows? At this point I'm just curious what/how they look compared with Kindle's mobi format? Or compared to converting epub to mobi?

11-06-2010, 10:46 PM	#10
Blue Tyson Blue Captain Posts: 1,595 Karma: 5000236 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Australia Device: Kindle Keyboard 3G,Huawei Ideos X3,Kobo Mini	There's a Firefox epub reader add-on.

11-06-2010, 10:54 PM	#11
ATDrake Wizzard Posts: 11,517 Karma: 33048258 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Roundworld Device: Kindle 2 International, Sony PRS-T1, BlackBerry PlayBook, Acer Iconia	There's also Lucidor, which can be installed as a Firefox add-on (not compatible with ePubReader) or standalone (works better). The ePub you should try to get an idea of just what the format is capable of is the version of Jerome K. Jerome's comedic classic, Three Men in a Boat, done by one of our very own MR moderators. Looks absolutely marvelous as-is, turns to rubbish once converted to mobi.

11-06-2010, 11:43 PM	#12
curstpriest Confused Posts: 402 Karma: 5538 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Bay Area Device: Kindle DXG	You can use the duokan firmware to read epubs now can't you, I thought I read the english translation was released today...

11-07-2010, 12:59 AM	#14
FF2 Wizard Posts: 1,105 Karma: 1025784 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: WiFi Kindle3	Thanks for all the suggestions and that book reference. I installed Lucidor and see the graphics of "Three Men in a Boat." I will play with conversion and see what's what. Again, thanks.

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