ereader PDB format and cover page images

Rootman · 10-27-2009, 05:05 PM

I have tons of TXT files that I have recently run though Calibre and downloaded cover pages and metadata for most of them and eliminated the extra CR at the end of each line.

The next step is to convert them to PDB format in anticipation for the purchase of a B&N Nook in December.

When I convert from TXT to PDB I have specified to use the sources cover image and even pointed it directly to the cover image, however wehn I add the resultant PDB file to the B&N eReader software the cover image is no where to be found.

What am I doing wrong?

itimpi · 10-27-2009, 05:10 PM

Have you tried NOT telling it to use the Source cover page (on the basis that TXT does not have a cover page). I do not normally generate PDB format (I normally want EPUB and LRF) but they come through with the cover page I have downloaded as long as do NOT tell Calibre to use the source cover page.

Rootman · 10-27-2009, 05:30 PM

Yep, just tried it. The cover art goes generic. Just to make sure the eReader wasn't at fault I moved the PDB file to my desktop and then deleted it from Calibre and then re-imported it backinto Calibre, all the metadata is gone.

user_none · 10-27-2009, 06:44 PM

Setting the cover images is broken in all released versions. It was brought to my attention not very long ago and I have corrected it. It will work properly in 0.6.20 when it is released.

If metadata is missing when you import than that is a different issue. Could you open a ticket and attach converted file and the reimported file. Also include any non default conversion options you used.

Rootman · 10-28-2009, 09:40 AM

Let me make sure I understand the metadata before I submit a ticket.

I have the title, author, author sort, publisher and ISBN number in the metatdata table in Calbre for the TXT file. I EXPORT the TXT as PDB. When I read it in B&N eReader I see no metadata (or cover as stated above).

As a test I copied te TXT file with it's JPG coverpage to a safe place and then deleted the book from Calibre. I then RE-added the book from the PDB file and indeed there is no metadata.

Do I understand correctly that a file format like PDB should actually CARRY the metadata with it or am I confused?

user_none · 10-28-2009, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rootman

I have the title, author, author sort, publisher and ISBN number in the metatdata table in Calbre for the TXT file. I EXPORT the TXT as PDB. When I read it in B&N eReader I see no metadata (or cover as stated above).

As a test I copied te TXT file with it's JPG coverpage to a safe place and then deleted the book from Calibre. I then RE-added the book from the PDB file and indeed there is no metadata.

Do I understand correctly that a file format like PDB should actually CARRY the metadata with it or am I confused?

In the PDB output section what do you have the format set as? Only the eReader format supports metadata. The default is PalmDoc which does not support images at all nor does it support metadata.

Rootman · 10-29-2009, 11:02 AM

Aha! That was it! I had it set to PalmDOC format as you suggested.

Now all I have to do is wait for the next release of Calibre and hope I can convert with the cover image intact.

Madam Broshkina · 10-31-2009, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by user_none

Setting the cover images is broken in all released versions. It was brought to my attention not very long ago and I have corrected it. It will work properly in 0.6.20 when it is released.

If metadata is missing when you import than that is a different issue. Could you open a ticket and attach converted file and the reimported file. Also include any non default conversion options you used.

Covers now work with version 20.

gilgomez · 11-26-2009, 12:21 PM

Thank you all from a novice (me!) that was hoping to import book cover images to the Nook. I have preordered the Nook and the possibility of importing the covers really is cool!

10-27-2009, 05:05 PM	#1
Rootman Groupie Posts: 181 Karma: 478 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Android & FBReader	ereader PDB format and cover page images I have tons of TXT files that I have recently run though Calibre and downloaded cover pages and metadata for most of them and eliminated the extra CR at the end of each line. The next step is to convert them to PDB format in anticipation for the purchase of a B&N Nook in December. When I convert from TXT to PDB I have specified to use the sources cover image and even pointed it directly to the cover image, however wehn I add the resultant PDB file to the B&N eReader software the cover image is no where to be found. What am I doing wrong?

10-29-2009, 11:02 AM	#7
Rootman Groupie Posts: 181 Karma: 478 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Android & FBReader	Aha! That was it! I had it set to PalmDOC format as you suggested. Now all I have to do is wait for the next release of Calibre and hope I can convert with the cover image intact. Last edited by Rootman; 10-29-2009 at 11:40 AM.

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10-27-2009, 05:10 PM	#2
itimpi Wizard Posts: 4,553 Karma: 950151 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: Sony PRS-950, iphone/ipad (Marvin/iBooks/QuickReader)	Have you tried NOT telling it to use the Source cover page (on the basis that TXT does not have a cover page). I do not normally generate PDB format (I normally want EPUB and LRF) but they come through with the cover page I have downloaded as long as do NOT tell Calibre to use the source cover page.

10-27-2009, 05:30 PM	#3
Rootman Groupie Posts: 181 Karma: 478 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Android & FBReader	Yep, just tried it. The cover art goes generic. Just to make sure the eReader wasn't at fault I moved the PDB file to my desktop and then deleted it from Calibre and then re-imported it backinto Calibre, all the metadata is gone.

10-27-2009, 06:44 PM	#4
user_none Sigil & calibre developer Posts: 2,487 Karma: 1063785 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida, USA Device: Nook STR	Setting the cover images is broken in all released versions. It was brought to my attention not very long ago and I have corrected it. It will work properly in 0.6.20 when it is released. If metadata is missing when you import than that is a different issue. Could you open a ticket and attach converted file and the reimported file. Also include any non default conversion options you used.

10-28-2009, 09:40 AM	#5
Rootman Groupie Posts: 181 Karma: 478 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Android & FBReader	Let me make sure I understand the metadata before I submit a ticket. I have the title, author, author sort, publisher and ISBN number in the metatdata table in Calbre for the TXT file. I EXPORT the TXT as PDB. When I read it in B&N eReader I see no metadata (or cover as stated above). As a test I copied te TXT file with it's JPG coverpage to a safe place and then deleted the book from Calibre. I then RE-added the book from the PDB file and indeed there is no metadata. Do I understand correctly that a file format like PDB should actually CARRY the metadata with it or am I confused?

11-26-2009, 12:21 PM	#9
gilgomez Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: Nook	Thank you all from a novice (me!) that was hoping to import book cover images to the Nook. I have preordered the Nook and the possibility of importing the covers really is cool!

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