Dreadful fonts in some Amazon books

Pushka · 08-14-2010, 06:57 PM

I have used NiLuJe's font hack but in one book the font remains the same. Have never noticed this before but do some publishers produce books where their chosen font remains regardless of the default or font hack? It is the story of Karen Carpenter and I simply am finding it too hard to read unless I magnify the font hugely, and which I prefer not to do.

ATDrake · 08-14-2010, 07:10 PM

Sounds like you've just run into the dreaded Topaz format.

It is possible to convert it to more conventional Mobi, but it's kind of a hassle. However, it may be worth it in your case since you're finding it unreadable as-is.

carld · 08-14-2010, 07:16 PM

It's probably in the universally despised Topaz format. You can supposedly tell which books are in topaz format by the fact that they list "Print Length" but not "File Size" in the product details.

Thankfully topaz book aren't that common.

wallcraft · 08-14-2010, 07:19 PM

As ATDrake says, it must be a TOPAZ ebook. These all include an embedded font, often generated from scans of the printed version of the same book. In rare cases the fonts are an improvement over the default fonts you always get with an AZW ebook, but usually they are terrible.

A TOPAZ ebook may have the filename extension .tpz or .azw1. Also, the Kindle Store web page for the ebook will not list a filesize in Product Details:

Quote:

Product Details
* Format: Kindle Edition
* Print Length: 560 pages

Pushka · 08-14-2010, 07:33 PM

Yep. Got that in one. It is tpz. I know there are ways round that but having done the k4pc thing the tpz seems to have defeated me.

I might contact cs and tell them the format sucks. At least I might get my money back. Kinda sucks when the book you want to read is in this format.

Skydog · 08-14-2010, 09:49 PM

It is indeed a Topaz-formatted book. Coincidentally, I was perusing the same title today and discovered this when I downloaded a sample.

I have converted one topaz book with success (resulting in the "normal" format) but it requires a little extra effort.

Alisa · 08-14-2010, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carld

It's probably in the universally despised Topaz format. You can supposedly tell which books are in topaz format by the fact that they list "Print Length" but not "File Size" in the product details.

Thankfully topaz book aren't that common.

I was just looking at a book I have that is a dreadful Topaz copy and it lists both Print Length and File Size in the product details.

tlrowley · 08-14-2010, 10:39 PM

Did they perhaps re-release a mobi version? I've seen that happen more than a few times.

Pushka · 08-15-2010, 06:52 PM

So I sent an email to amazon stating that the font was dreadful and I had to up the font size in order to read it, and didn't want to drain the battery too quickly. Plus I hate reading font too large anyway. So they sent me back an email ignoring the horrible font issue, but told me how to charge the battery. Sigh. They don't read the emails but simply do a search for a common word and dump their spiel about that. Needless to say they will get the "did not answer my question " response.

runtmms · 08-16-2010, 01:16 PM

I have a K3 ordered but don't want to buy any books for fear of getting the dreaded topaz format. I know I can check samples on the Kindle once I have it... Is there a way to tell from the K4PC samples if it is Topaz?

Thanks,

-M

Alisa · 08-16-2010, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlrowley

Did they perhaps re-release a mobi version? I've seen that happen more than a few times.

That's what I had been hoping for but I deleted it and downloaded again and it was still .tpz.

FlorenceArt · 08-16-2010, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pushka

So I sent an email to amazon stating that the font was dreadful and I had to up the font size in order to read it, and didn't want to drain the battery too quickly. Plus I hate reading font too large anyway. So they sent me back an email ignoring the horrible font issue, but told me how to charge the battery. Sigh. They don't read the emails but simply do a search for a common word and dump their spiel about that. Needless to say they will get the "did not answer my question " response.

Can't help you with your issue, but I just wanted to point out that the automated response that doesn't answer the initial question is a very common problem with user "support". In many cases, a polite reply saying more or less "thank you for your answer, but this doesn't solve my problem (repeat original question here)" will get you a human answer (good or bad). I don't know how good or bad Amazon support is, but I've had good result with this strategy with other companies. Except Microsoft, who kept sending me the same canned reply over and over again :rolleyes;

nimblem · 08-16-2010, 05:09 PM

Does using a font hack void the warranty?

tlrowley · 08-16-2010, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlrowley

Did they perhaps re-release a mobi version? I've seen that happen more than a few times.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alisa

That's what I had been hoping for but I deleted it and downloaded again and it was still .tpz.

Deleting and re-downloading won't fix it though, I think you need to have Amazon refund your money and buy the new one. Does the one that shows both pages and file size (theoretically not Topaz) also show that you've already purchased it?

tomsem · 08-16-2010, 10:43 PM

Topaz may be dreadful, but Amazon does need to have a solution for embedded fonts that brings it up to par with ePub. If Topaz ain't it, they need to extend mobi (ideally by copying what ePub does).

As it is, mobi format can only use one typeface (well, two if you count the fixed-pitch font that's used for computer code, etc). That's pretty limited. I don't know how frequently embedded fonts appear in ePub, or which readers actually support them, but at least it is supported by the standard and there are tools that support it.

Maybe it is just my good luck, but all of the more recently published books I have sampled or purchased seem to all be mobi format. I might try a survey/sample of the most recent books added vs. older ones to see if it is some sort of trend.

08-14-2010, 06:57 PM	#1
Pushka Wizard Posts: 1,119 Karma: 1019140 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Australia Device: kindle, Ipad, Iphone, Nexus and PPW	Dreadful fonts in some Amazon books I have used NiLuJe's font hack but in one book the font remains the same. Have never noticed this before but do some publishers produce books where their chosen font remains regardless of the default or font hack? It is the story of Karen Carpenter and I simply am finding it too hard to read unless I magnify the font hugely, and which I prefer not to do.

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08-14-2010, 07:10 PM	#2
ATDrake Wizzard Posts: 11,517 Karma: 33048258 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Roundworld Device: Kindle 2 International, Sony PRS-T1, BlackBerry PlayBook, Acer Iconia	Sounds like you've just run into the dreaded Topaz format. It is possible to convert it to more conventional Mobi, but it's kind of a hassle. However, it may be worth it in your case since you're finding it unreadable as-is.

08-14-2010, 07:16 PM	#3
carld Wizard Posts: 2,698 Karma: 4748723 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	It's probably in the universally despised Topaz format. You can supposedly tell which books are in topaz format by the fact that they list "Print Length" but not "File Size" in the product details. Thankfully topaz book aren't that common.

08-14-2010, 07:33 PM	#5
Pushka Wizard Posts: 1,119 Karma: 1019140 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Australia Device: kindle, Ipad, Iphone, Nexus and PPW	Yep. Got that in one. It is tpz. I know there are ways round that but having done the k4pc thing the tpz seems to have defeated me. I might contact cs and tell them the format sucks. At least I might get my money back. Kinda sucks when the book you want to read is in this format.

08-14-2010, 09:49 PM	#6
Skydog Wizard Posts: 2,286 Karma: 7409537 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Circling Earth @ Mach .83 Device: Elipsa 2E, Sage, Libra Colour, Libra 2, Clara 2E, Oasis3, Voyage	It is indeed a Topaz-formatted book. Coincidentally, I was perusing the same title today and discovered this when I downloaded a sample. I have converted one topaz book with success (resulting in the "normal" format) but it requires a little extra effort.

08-14-2010, 10:39 PM	#8
tlrowley Quilt Geek Posts: 472 Karma: 91775 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Lancaster, PA Device: Kindle	Did they perhaps re-release a mobi version? I've seen that happen more than a few times.

08-15-2010, 06:52 PM	#9
Pushka Wizard Posts: 1,119 Karma: 1019140 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Australia Device: kindle, Ipad, Iphone, Nexus and PPW	So I sent an email to amazon stating that the font was dreadful and I had to up the font size in order to read it, and didn't want to drain the battery too quickly. Plus I hate reading font too large anyway. So they sent me back an email ignoring the horrible font issue, but told me how to charge the battery. Sigh. They don't read the emails but simply do a search for a common word and dump their spiel about that. Needless to say they will get the "did not answer my question " response.

08-16-2010, 01:16 PM	#10
runtmms Connoisseur Posts: 70 Karma: 509194 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Kindle Fire HD 8.9, Google Nexus 4	I have a K3 ordered but don't want to buy any books for fear of getting the dreaded topaz format. I know I can check samples on the Kindle once I have it... Is there a way to tell from the K4PC samples if it is Topaz? Thanks, -M

08-16-2010, 05:09 PM	#13
nimblem Addict Posts: 304 Karma: 7102 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Pocket Pro, Kindle Dx	Does using a font hack void the warranty?

08-16-2010, 10:43 PM	#15
tomsem Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,904 Karma: 27013865 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA Device: iPhone 15PM, Kindle Scribe, iPad mini 6, PocketBook InkPad Color 3	Topaz may be dreadful, but Amazon does need to have a solution for embedded fonts that brings it up to par with ePub. If Topaz ain't it, they need to extend mobi (ideally by copying what ePub does). As it is, mobi format can only use one typeface (well, two if you count the fixed-pitch font that's used for computer code, etc). That's pretty limited. I don't know how frequently embedded fonts appear in ePub, or which readers actually support them, but at least it is supported by the standard and there are tools that support it. Maybe it is just my good luck, but all of the more recently published books I have sampled or purchased seem to all be mobi format. I might try a survey/sample of the most recent books added vs. older ones to see if it is some sort of trend.

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