Question about Cybook PDF support

Gameboy70 · 06-01-2008, 12:56 PM

Hi all,

I'm looking to upgrade from the PRS-500 to an E Ink reader that natively supports PDF, and especially HTML. I prefer the size of the Cybook to the Iliad (the Sony Reader fits in my coat pockets), but have a question.

What's the current state of the Cybook's PDF support? I'm particularly interested in whether or not it can rescale letter-size documents without manual conversion. Having to convert PDFs prior to transferring them is one of my motivations for finding a more capable reader, but the various reviews I've read are unclear and very likely outdated.

HarryT · 06-01-2008, 01:03 PM

PDF support on the Gen3 is extremely poor. I really would not buy one if PDF is important to you. It will display some PDF documents, but it seems to be pretty much "pot luck" what will or won't display. Docs formatted for A4/Letter will generally be pretty unreadable on a 6" screen.

The only eInk bookreader which could be described as "good" for such files is the iRex iLiad, with its larger 8" screen.

Gameboy70 · 06-01-2008, 01:21 PM

Thanks, Harry. I just read the "Buggy as hell" thread, and it reaffirmed by reservations about the Cybook. Is the Iliad more or less drag-and-drop with HTML/PDF docs, requiring no desktop conversion? All things considered, that's a higher priority to me than the smaller form factor I would otherwise prefer.

By the way, what's the experience of writing on the Iliad now? I haven't followed the device since the first edition was released.

DDHarriman · 06-01-2008, 05:54 PM

None of the readers reflow text PDF’s, they see the page as a fixed one, so there is just one solution: the bigger the screen the better - thus the Iliad as a better reader.

The 6 inch screen has not enough size to let one read “normal” PDF’s, what it does is to resize the image, or let you read it in landscape and at better half page of each page - still crap most of the time.

The unique solution is if Bookeen would upgrade the software that permits the reading of PDF’s to support “tagged” PDF’s and so reflow the text accordingly.
Something Adobe’s own reader does for the pocketpc tinny screens, since at least 2002!!!

igorsk · 06-01-2008, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDHarriman

The unique solution is if Bookeen would upgrade the software that permits the reading of PDF’s to support “tagged” PDF’s and so reflow the text accordingly.
Something Adobe’s own reader does for the pocketpc tinny screens, since at least 2002!!!

Bookeen used Fitz/MuPDF for their PDF rendering. If that library adds reflow, it's likely to appear in Cybook too. I doubt Bookeen is going to add reflow support on their own.

ChrisM12743 · 06-01-2008, 08:47 PM

Unfortunately, Cybooks PDF handling characteristics still need some fine tuning!

ChrisM12743 · 06-01-2008, 08:49 PM

Hey Gameboy,

I own a cybookgen3, and yes I can read PDF, however, the ability to increase or decrease font size seems to be lacking, or maybe I just don't know to do it. The GEN3 is a marvelous little reader though, you would be hard pressed to find a better one!

Vesper · 06-01-2008, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisM12743

I own a cybookgen3, and yes I can read PDF, however, the ability to increase or decrease font size seems to be lacking, or maybe I just don't know to do it.

You cannot change size of fonts - not on Cybook, not on any other platform. All you can do is zoom in/out.

What you need is reflow - for content to arrange itself according to the size of the screen. But that's another thing entirely...

DrS

DDHarriman · 06-02-2008, 07:33 AM

Igorsk

Did not know that! Thanks for the information.

Any info if the library you mention will offer the reflow of text functionality? and if so any timeline for it to appear?

Even if I myself do not read much eBooks in PDF format, I do recognize, even if just because the format is almost 100% “owner” of the Business and Journal Academic markets, that the first reader who offers reflow text in PDF’s is going to sell their hardware faster that all the competition combined.

Best regards,

06-01-2008, 12:56 PM	#1
Gameboy70 Connoisseur Posts: 84 Karma: 1002150 Join Date: Apr 2006 Device: Kindle Paperwhite, 3rd Gen iPad	Question about Cybook PDF support Hi all, I'm looking to upgrade from the PRS-500 to an E Ink reader that natively supports PDF, and especially HTML. I prefer the size of the Cybook to the Iliad (the Sony Reader fits in my coat pockets), but have a question. What's the current state of the Cybook's PDF support? I'm particularly interested in whether or not it can rescale letter-size documents without manual conversion. Having to convert PDFs prior to transferring them is one of my motivations for finding a more capable reader, but the various reviews I've read are unclear and very likely outdated.

06-02-2008, 07:33 AM	#9
DDHarriman Guru Posts: 860 Karma: 4380 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Almada, Portugal Device: Cybook Gen3, Sony PRS 505, Kindle DXG and Samsung Galaxy Note	Igorsk Did not know that! Thanks for the information. Any info if the library you mention will offer the reflow of text functionality? and if so any timeline for it to appear? Even if I myself do not read much eBooks in PDF format, I do recognize, even if just because the format is almost 100% “owner” of the Business and Journal Academic markets, that the first reader who offers reflow text in PDF’s is going to sell their hardware faster that all the competition combined. Best regards, Last edited by DDHarriman; 06-02-2008 at 07:41 AM.

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06-01-2008, 01:03 PM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	PDF support on the Gen3 is extremely poor. I really would not buy one if PDF is important to you. It will display some PDF documents, but it seems to be pretty much "pot luck" what will or won't display. Docs formatted for A4/Letter will generally be pretty unreadable on a 6" screen. The only eInk bookreader which could be described as "good" for such files is the iRex iLiad, with its larger 8" screen.

06-01-2008, 01:21 PM	#3
Gameboy70 Connoisseur Posts: 84 Karma: 1002150 Join Date: Apr 2006 Device: Kindle Paperwhite, 3rd Gen iPad	Thanks, Harry. I just read the "Buggy as hell" thread, and it reaffirmed by reservations about the Cybook. Is the Iliad more or less drag-and-drop with HTML/PDF docs, requiring no desktop conversion? All things considered, that's a higher priority to me than the smaller form factor I would otherwise prefer. By the way, what's the experience of writing on the Iliad now? I haven't followed the device since the first edition was released.

06-01-2008, 05:54 PM	#4
DDHarriman Guru Posts: 860 Karma: 4380 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Almada, Portugal Device: Cybook Gen3, Sony PRS 505, Kindle DXG and Samsung Galaxy Note	None of the readers reflow text PDF’s, they see the page as a fixed one, so there is just one solution: the bigger the screen the better - thus the Iliad as a better reader. The 6 inch screen has not enough size to let one read “normal” PDF’s, what it does is to resize the image, or let you read it in landscape and at better half page of each page - still crap most of the time. The unique solution is if Bookeen would upgrade the software that permits the reading of PDF’s to support “tagged” PDF’s and so reflow the text accordingly. Something Adobe’s own reader does for the pocketpc tinny screens, since at least 2002!!!

06-01-2008, 08:47 PM	#6
ChrisM12743 ChrisM Posts: 22 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Rhode Island Device: bookeen cybook gen3	Unfortunately, Cybooks PDF handling characteristics still need some fine tuning!

06-01-2008, 08:49 PM	#7
ChrisM12743 ChrisM Posts: 22 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Rhode Island Device: bookeen cybook gen3	Hey Gameboy, I own a cybookgen3, and yes I can read PDF, however, the ability to increase or decrease font size seems to be lacking, or maybe I just don't know to do it. The GEN3 is a marvelous little reader though, you would be hard pressed to find a better one!

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