Best source format?

[Mama Zappa]

I've generally purchased books in epub format when possible, because I used to own a Nook and it could handle those with no issues.

I recently switched to a Kindle (Nook was stolen!) and have found issues with one or two files that I converted to AZW3. I'd thought that mobi worked on the Kindle as well but Calibre seemed to insist on AZW3. So, epub-to-azw3, and I had chapter-jump issues until I followed Kovid's advice from a while back and converted them first to mobi, then reconverted from THAT to azw3.

I was just about to make a purchase and it gave me the choice of mobi or epub format. My inclination was to go for epub out of habit, but then I recalled those issues.

OK, enough background: the gist of the question is, is either format preferable in terms of having the most accurate conversion re fonts, page numbers, content, footnote links, etc. ? Any particular benefit to choosing one versus the other?

Of course if I start out with mobi, then the whole epub-to-azw3 page-jump issue is moot (I presume).

[AnemicOak]

My preference when offered both is generally ePub, but for most fiction books I don't think it matters much.

Originally Posted by Mama Zappa

I'd thought that mobi worked on the Kindle as well but Calibre seemed to insist on AZW3.

When you say Calibre insists on AZW3 what do you mean exactly? Mobi does work on Kindle's just fine.

You could also use Kindle Previewer to convert the ePub, instead of Calibre, on the ones giving you problems and see if that makes a difference.

[itimpi]

Originally Posted by Mama Zappa

I've generally purchased books in epub format when possible, because I used to own a Nook and it could handle those with no issues.

I recently switched to a Kindle (Nook was stolen!) and have found issues with one or two files that I converted to AZW3. I'd thought that mobi worked on the Kindle as well but Calibre seemed to insist on AZW3.

Calibre will not insist on anything! You probably simply have azw3 configured as the preferred format.

[BetterRed]

The manual has this list ===>>> http://manual.calibre-ebook.com/faq....ats-to-convert

[Mama Zappa]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

My preference when offered both is generally ePub, but for most fiction books I don't think it matters much.




When you say Calibre insists on AZW3 what do you mean exactly? Mobi does work on Kindle's just fine.

You could also use Kindle Previewer to convert the ePub, instead of Calibre, on the ones giving you problems and see if that makes a difference.

I'll have to check again, but when I did the "send to device" it wanted me to select a format, and mobi was not among the choices.

It's a slightly older version of Calibre, maybe that had something to do with it?

[itimpi]

Originally Posted by Mama Zappa

I'll have to check again, but when I did the "send to device" it wanted me to select a format, and mobi was not among the choices.

It's a slightly older version of Calibre, maybe that had something to do with it?

For any device you can configure the formats allowed, and within the allowed formats the preference order. It does seem extremely strange, however, for mobi to not be amongst the default list of formats set up for a Kindle because as far as I know all Kindle models support mobi.

[Lightsource]

Originally Posted by Mama Zappa

...Calibre seemed to insist on AZW3

I don't think so - that's a choice made in settings. I've had Kindles starting with generation 1 (now using a paperwhite), and have used Calibre for a number of years to manage my books - my default format has always been mobi.

You can chose AZW3, but it's not necessary, Kindle does just fine with mobi.