Confused about epub on Sony Reader

ficbot · 04-29-2009, 09:22 PM

Now that Fictionwise is offering epub with their multiformat books, I am a bit confused about what to do. In the past I was downloading an LRF into Calibre and then downloading a backup eReader into my computer for backup purposes since I have other devices which read eReader. I guess I don't need to re-download everything at ePub for backup purposes since Calibre can just convert the LRF I already have, right?

But as far as future purchases go, is there any advantage to downloading the epub instead of the LRF if I plan to read it on the Sony Reader? Does the epub version look 'better' or have better formatting? Or should I just continue downloading under the 'LRF Plus eReader Backup' plan as before?

I am also wondering what will happen if they start offering secure epub. Will those work on the Sony Reader? I don't know if I can upgrade the firmware because I have a Mac, but my reader is fairly new and can read PDF files so I am told this is the latest firmware...

wallcraft · 04-29-2009, 09:35 PM

Calibre does not convert from LRF, but there are other tools that can do this. The FictionWise ePub is probably a good format for archiving, but I don't know how its ePub and LRF compare (both are created using Calibre).

If FictionWise ever sold Adobe Secure ePubs, then the Sony could read them (or you can buy them today, e.g. from Books on Board). You need to authorize your PRS-505 on your Adobe account one time from a Windows PC with Adobe Digital Editions. From then on you can download the ePubs (and PDFs) via Adobe Digital Editions on your Mac and copy them to the PRS-505 via USB. There have been reports that FictionWise will eventually sell ePubs with eReader DRM. These will likely not be readable on your PRS-505.

JSWolf · 04-29-2009, 10:50 PM

I'm reading an ePub that I created from a Mobipocket source and the only adjustments I've made to it have been so it uses the fonts of my choice instead of the default fonts. Calibre does a good job converting to ePub.

Depending on how they've converted, you may want to tweak the margins and maybe the font sizes and have it use font(s) you want.

But I do think ePub is the best choice to download. Even if you don't want to read the epUb, you can use that to convert to Mobipocket, LRF (how you want) and MS Reader. Very easy to do.

iozy · 04-30-2009, 04:28 AM

Can I authorise the 505 using Digital Editions on my Mac?

wallcraft · 04-30-2009, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iozy

Can I authorise the 505 using Digital Editions on my Mac?

No. See Public library books for Mac users not using Sony software?.

HarryT · 04-30-2009, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iozy

Can I authorise the 505 using Digital Editions on my Mac?

You don't need to authorise the 505 for the FW ePub books - they are DRM-free.

To answer the question, however, no, you need to do so under Windows.

iozy · 04-30-2009, 05:53 PM

Ah I bought these from WH Smith so I take it they are laced with DRM

Is there a way to strip it as I'm not in a position to borrow or be near a PC for a while

HarryT · 05-01-2009, 02:49 AM

Yes, you can, but we have a site policy of not providing detailed instructions on DRM removal. Sorry.

ficbot · 05-01-2009, 07:02 AM

Thanks for the info, everyone. I guess I will stick with secure eReader should I buy a new best-seller, because I know ow to work with those and don't know how to work with Adobe. As for multiformat, I'll have to see how things play out. Right now I know I can re-download from Fictionwise if I need to, so unless I get a compelling reason to do so, I have enough formats right now on my computer to cover my bases without re-downloading again.

wallcraft · 05-01-2009, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iozy

Ah I bought these from WH Smith so I take it they are laced with DRM

Is there a way to strip it as I'm not in a position to borrow or be near a PC for a while

See Adobe ADEPT DRM for EPUB circumvented.

JSWolf · 05-01-2009, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ficbot

Thanks for the info, everyone. I guess I will stick with secure eReader should I buy a new best-seller, because I know ow to work with those and don't know how to work with Adobe. As for multiformat, I'll have to see how things play out. Right now I know I can re-download from Fictionwise if I need to, so unless I get a compelling reason to do so, I have enough formats right now on my computer to cover my bases without re-downloading again.

You really really really really do not want do go anyplace near eReader. It's one ghastly format that needs to die. And converting it to something else is not nice. So staying away from eReader will make your life a lot better.

iozy · 05-01-2009, 09:47 AM

I have some DRM free epub books, can they just be dragged straight to the sony reader without any authorisation on my mac? Great...

wallcraft · 05-01-2009, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iozy

I have some DRM free epub books, can they just be dragged straight to the sony reader without any authorisation on my mac?

Yes. Note that this also means that an option for Mac owners without Windows access (who can't easily authorize their Sony Reader) is stripping the DRM (post #10 above). This is often thought to be illegal in some places, but it harms no one when done for personal use, and if you are going to strip the DRM there is no need to authorize the Sony.

04-29-2009, 10:50 PM	#3
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,485 Karma: 145863170 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I'm reading an ePub that I created from a Mobipocket source and the only adjustments I've made to it have been so it uses the fonts of my choice instead of the default fonts. Calibre does a good job converting to ePub. Depending on how they've converted, you may want to tweak the margins and maybe the font sizes and have it use font(s) you want. But I do think ePub is the best choice to download. Even if you don't want to read the epUb, you can use that to convert to Mobipocket, LRF (how you want) and MS Reader. Very easy to do. Last edited by JSWolf; 04-29-2009 at 10:52 PM.

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04-29-2009, 09:22 PM	#1
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	Confused about epub on Sony Reader Now that Fictionwise is offering epub with their multiformat books, I am a bit confused about what to do. In the past I was downloading an LRF into Calibre and then downloading a backup eReader into my computer for backup purposes since I have other devices which read eReader. I guess I don't need to re-download everything at ePub for backup purposes since Calibre can just convert the LRF I already have, right? But as far as future purchases go, is there any advantage to downloading the epub instead of the LRF if I plan to read it on the Sony Reader? Does the epub version look 'better' or have better formatting? Or should I just continue downloading under the 'LRF Plus eReader Backup' plan as before? I am also wondering what will happen if they start offering secure epub. Will those work on the Sony Reader? I don't know if I can upgrade the firmware because I have a Mac, but my reader is fairly new and can read PDF files so I am told this is the latest firmware...

04-29-2009, 09:35 PM	#2
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,977 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	Calibre does not convert from LRF, but there are other tools that can do this. The FictionWise ePub is probably a good format for archiving, but I don't know how its ePub and LRF compare (both are created using Calibre). If FictionWise ever sold Adobe Secure ePubs, then the Sony could read them (or you can buy them today, e.g. from Books on Board). You need to authorize your PRS-505 on your Adobe account one time from a Windows PC with Adobe Digital Editions. From then on you can download the ePubs (and PDFs) via Adobe Digital Editions on your Mac and copy them to the PRS-505 via USB. There have been reports that FictionWise will eventually sell ePubs with eReader DRM. These will likely not be readable on your PRS-505.

04-30-2009, 04:28 AM	#4
iozy Member Posts: 22 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: PRS-505	Can I authorise the 505 using Digital Editions on my Mac?

04-30-2009, 05:53 PM	#7
iozy Member Posts: 22 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: PRS-505	Ah I bought these from WH Smith so I take it they are laced with DRM Is there a way to strip it as I'm not in a position to borrow or be near a PC for a while

05-01-2009, 02:49 AM	#8
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Yes, you can, but we have a site policy of not providing detailed instructions on DRM removal. Sorry.

05-01-2009, 07:02 AM	#9
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	Thanks for the info, everyone. I guess I will stick with secure eReader should I buy a new best-seller, because I know ow to work with those and don't know how to work with Adobe. As for multiformat, I'll have to see how things play out. Right now I know I can re-download from Fictionwise if I need to, so unless I get a compelling reason to do so, I have enough formats right now on my computer to cover my bases without re-downloading again.

05-01-2009, 09:47 AM	#12
iozy Member Posts: 22 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: PRS-505	I have some DRM free epub books, can they just be dragged straight to the sony reader without any authorisation on my mac? Great...

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