Mobi vs AZW

Majorix · 03-11-2013, 04:37 PM

I have been using .mobi books on my Kindle Paperwhite all the time. In another thread of mine, I was told that .azw/kf8 format would be better to use.

As far as I know, both formats are closed formats of Amazon. Other than that, I don't know of any similarities/dissimilarities. But maybe I am missing something, can someone kindly share thoughts?

AnemicOak · 03-11-2013, 04:40 PM

.AZW can be Mobi or KF8 (which can also be AZW3). KF8 allows for more advanced formatting (like ePub) than Mobi.

I'm sure someone will be along with a more detailed explanation of both or you could check the Wiki.

susan_cassidy · 03-11-2013, 04:41 PM

AZW3/KF8 is a more advanced format, and supports more types of input, more like ePub. Just plain .AZW is practically the same as .mobi. But, if you have just simple formatting, it shouldn't matter.

JSWolf · 03-11-2013, 06:33 PM

.AZW (seen in Calibre) are Mobi. .AZW3 (seen in Calibre) are KF8.

booklover6 · 03-11-2013, 06:52 PM

I use strictly mobi on my Kindles.

HarryT · 03-12-2013, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booklover6

I use strictly mobi on my Kindles.

Why, given that KF8 is a much more capable format? KF8 supports things like drop caps, embedded fonts, proper block quotes, etc. Why restrict yourself to the limited capabilities of Mobi?

dsmid · 03-12-2013, 02:27 AM

I hate embedded fonts. I love the fact I can actually select my favourite font on Kindle and stick with it.
I don't miss any of the features you've mentioned in Mobi, in fact, they are often misused by lame ebook creators.

HarryT · 03-12-2013, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsmid

I hate embedded fonts. I love the fact I can actually select my favourite font on Kindle and stick with it.

You can do even if the book has embedded fonts. The Kindle won't use them unless you select the "Use Publisher Font" option on the Kindle.

Yolina · 03-12-2013, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

You can do even if the book has embedded fonts. The Kindle won't use them unless you select the "Use Publisher Font" option on the Kindle.

Not always the case, there are some badly done books where the publisher font is the only one available even if you don't select it. I've come across a few with this problem (some from big publishers and some from indies). Even though I could fix it and strip the font in Calibre, I take the view that it's not my job given that these are paid books, so I just return those and get a refund.

gers1978 · 03-12-2013, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Why, given that KF8 is a much more capable format? KF8 supports things like drop caps, embedded fonts, proper block quotes, etc. Why restrict yourself to the limited capabilities of Mobi?

I use mobi strictly because my most-needed feature is syncing between iPhone, iPad and Paperwhite, and the ability to email books rather than sideload them. As far as I know, mobi is the only way to achieve this.

HarryT · 03-12-2013, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gers1978

I use mobi strictly because my most-needed feature is syncing between iPhone, iPad and Paperwhite, and the ability to email books rather than sideload them. As far as I know, mobi is the only way to achieve this.

Yes, it is - you can't email KF8 books. Personally I prefer to load via USB, so that's not a consideration.

ixtab · 03-12-2013, 06:33 AM

I use .mobi exclusively. For exactly one reason: because they can by hyphenated (using JBPatch), while KF8 books can't.

I'm only reading novels on the Kindle, so fancy formatting options (fonts, tables,...) are not an issue for me. But the default ragged justification is a horrible eyesore to me, especially when reading books in german (where long words are very common). Fully justified text with hyphenated words just reads much better.

booklover6 · 03-12-2013, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ixtab

I use .mobi exclusively. For exactly one reason: because they can by hyphenated (using JBPatch), while KF8 books can't.

I'm only reading novels on the Kindle, so fancy formatting options (fonts, tables,...) are not an issue for me. But the default ragged justification is a horrible eyesore to me, especially when reading books in german (where long words are very common). Fully justified text with hyphenated words just reads much better.

This--and that I have my Calibre preferences/plugboards set up a certain way, and changing formats messes that up. I don't want to change anything in my settings.

Illyria · 03-12-2013, 03:58 PM

I always convert all of my mobi files to azw3. Unlike many others here, I don't make any changes within the books (at least so far), so I wouldn't know about the possibilities there, but the one thing I love about azw3 is that on my Kindles the line spacing is displayed in a fashion that's much more comfortable to read (further apart).

jersysman · 03-12-2013, 03:59 PM

Question - when I purchase a book from Amazon, what format am I getting?

03-11-2013, 04:37 PM	#1
Majorix Giant Hobbit Posts: 49 Karma: 487552 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Turkey Device: Kobo: Clara, Mini, Aura HD, Aura 2, Kindle: Paperwhite 1, DX 1	Mobi vs AZW I have been using .mobi books on my Kindle Paperwhite all the time. In another thread of mine, I was told that .azw/kf8 format would be better to use. As far as I know, both formats are closed formats of Amazon. Other than that, I don't know of any similarities/dissimilarities. But maybe I am missing something, can someone kindly share thoughts?

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03-11-2013, 04:40 PM	#2
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	.AZW can be Mobi or KF8 (which can also be AZW3). KF8 allows for more advanced formatting (like ePub) than Mobi. I'm sure someone will be along with a more detailed explanation of both or you could check the Wiki.

03-11-2013, 04:41 PM	#3
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	AZW3/KF8 is a more advanced format, and supports more types of input, more like ePub. Just plain .AZW is practically the same as .mobi. But, if you have just simple formatting, it shouldn't matter.

03-11-2013, 06:33 PM	#4
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 78,948 Karma: 144284074 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	.AZW (seen in Calibre) are Mobi. .AZW3 (seen in Calibre) are KF8.

03-11-2013, 06:52 PM	#5
booklover6 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,545 Karma: 14008730 Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA (USA) Device: Kobo Clara, 2E, Libre 1, PW4, PW5, 2022 Kindle, Kobo Libre Colour	I use strictly mobi on my Kindles.

03-12-2013, 02:27 AM	#7
dsmid Linux devotee Posts: 598 Karma: 2069047 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: Kindle 3, Kindle 4B, Kindle PW2	I hate embedded fonts. I love the fact I can actually select my favourite font on Kindle and stick with it. I don't miss any of the features you've mentioned in Mobi, in fact, they are often misused by lame ebook creators.

03-12-2013, 06:33 AM	#12
ixtab (offline) Posts: 2,907 Karma: 6736094 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: K3, K4, K5, KPW, KPW2	I use .mobi exclusively. For exactly one reason: because they can by hyphenated (using JBPatch), while KF8 books can't. I'm only reading novels on the Kindle, so fancy formatting options (fonts, tables,...) are not an issue for me. But the default ragged justification is a horrible eyesore to me, especially when reading books in german (where long words are very common). Fully justified text with hyphenated words just reads much better.

03-12-2013, 03:58 PM	#14
Illyria Connoisseur Posts: 69 Karma: 525196 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Germany Device: KK, K5, K7, KPW3	I always convert all of my mobi files to azw3. Unlike many others here, I don't make any changes within the books (at least so far), so I wouldn't know about the possibilities there, but the one thing I love about azw3 is that on my Kindles the line spacing is displayed in a fashion that's much more comfortable to read (further apart).

03-12-2013, 03:59 PM	#15
jersysman Wizard Posts: 1,747 Karma: 3761220 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Pennsylvania Device: T1 Red, Kindle Fire, Kindle PW, PW2, Nook HD+, Kobo Mini, Aura HD	Question - when I purchase a book from Amazon, what format am I getting?

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