Need a new reader, have many DRM books...

Bev M · 09-20-2010, 01:50 AM

I've read and read through this site, and I'm so pleased I found it, there's way more information here than I can absorb. Many things aren't clear to me yet in deciding what reader to purchase to replace my venerable PDA, which has got me hooked on reading ebooks. When the specs for a reader say that it accepts PRC, does that mean that it will read my purchased Mobipocket books with DRM, or only non-protected ones? I also have many Microsoft Reader .lit books. I really want to be able to use my existing paid-for books on a new reader, which obviously narrows my choices. Suggestions and information on the DRM issue welcome, and thanks!

HarryT · 09-20-2010, 02:54 AM

There are no dedicated readers that will read DRM-protected LIT files; you'll need to remove the DRM (very easy to do) and convert to another format, such as Mobi.

Readers with DRM Mobi support are getting scarce these days due to Amazon (who own Mobi) imposed inconvenient licensing terms. The only manufacturer I personally know of who still supports it is Bookeen (http://www.bookeen.com) with their CyBook readers.

Mobi DRM is, however, also very easy to remove, and that would then let you use, say, an Amazon Kindle, which is a very popular device (and Amazon have the best eBook store around, too).

fjtorres · 09-20-2010, 05:43 AM

There are alternative firmwares for the Hanlin V3 clones (BeBook one, Astak EZReader, etc) that handle MobiDRM and DRM-free LIT, plus Adobe DRM.
Simplest solution is to strip the DRM off the files. Then you're free to buy the reader that best fits your needs.

HarryT · 09-20-2010, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjtorres

There are alternative firmwares for the Hanlin V1 clones (BeBook one, Astak EZReader, etc) that handle MobiDRM and DRM-free LIT, plus Adobe DRM.
Simplest solution is to strip the DRM off the files. Then you're free to buy the reader that best fits your needs.

You mean "Hanlin V3", I think. You're right in saying that they will handle DRM-free LIT, but they handle it extremely poorly. It's generally better to convert the LIT to Mobi, which is very easy to do, and generally produces very good results.

fjtorres · 09-20-2010, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

It's generally better to convert the LIT to Mobi, which is very easy to do, and generally produces very good results.

I've found that Calibre converts LIT smoothly and very fast to pretty much anything.

I've found it is fastest to ePub and since fbReader on PB360 handles ePub better than Mobi...
(shrug)
I'd rather LIT were better supported myself but I'll go with whatever works.

bill_mchale · 09-20-2010, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjtorres

I've found that Calibre converts LIT smoothly and very fast to pretty much anything.

I've found it is fastest to ePub and since fbReader on PB360 handles ePub better than Mobi...
(shrug)
I'd rather LIT were better supported myself but I'll go with whatever works.

I think the basic problem is that it is essentially an orphan format. Microsoft doesn't really support it any more (in fact, I don't think they produce a reader for the latest versions of Windows Mobile). For all practical purposes, you need a Windows Computer these days to read DRM'd lit files.

--
Bill

Bev M · 09-20-2010, 04:25 PM

Thanks so much for the input. Sigh...I guess I'm going to have to download Calibre and learn to use it, as well as the Python? info I found on converting Mobipocket. I'm not a computer whiz and I was SO hoping not to have to learn how to use more pieces of software! Then, you're right, I can choose a reader based on whatever else looks important to me.

simplyparticular · 09-20-2010, 04:30 PM

Unfortunately, the formats supported in the early days of e-reading on PDAs and smartphones (LIT and Mobi and my prior preference, eReader) are not the dominant formats supported by the major E-Ink devices. I also had to get friendly with Python and Calibre, and it was tedious converting the old collection, but it has opened up the e-reading world for me to just about any device I want, as long as I'm willing to put in the time to de-DRM everything as I buy it.

I never want to mass-remove and convert again. :P

Dopedangel · 09-21-2010, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bev M

Thanks so much for the input. Sigh...I guess I'm going to have to download Calibre and learn to use it, as well as the Python? info I found on converting Mobipocket. I'm not a computer whiz and I was SO hoping not to have to learn how to use more pieces of software! Then, you're right, I can choose a reader based on whatever else looks important to me.

Google is your friend
just recently I came across a calibre plugin that converted
mobipocket drm files

I think I am not allowed to say more than that here in this forum.

SkyDream · 09-21-2010, 02:56 AM

Yet another reason to avoid DRM protected books.
It's not easy to change your reader AND copy your books to your new reader.

09-20-2010, 01:50 AM	#1
Bev M Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 1378 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: In an RV, wherever it's parked Device: JetBook Lite	Need a new reader, have many DRM books... I've read and read through this site, and I'm so pleased I found it, there's way more information here than I can absorb. Many things aren't clear to me yet in deciding what reader to purchase to replace my venerable PDA, which has got me hooked on reading ebooks. When the specs for a reader say that it accepts PRC, does that mean that it will read my purchased Mobipocket books with DRM, or only non-protected ones? I also have many Microsoft Reader .lit books. I really want to be able to use my existing paid-for books on a new reader, which obviously narrows my choices. Suggestions and information on the DRM issue welcome, and thanks!

09-20-2010, 05:43 AM	#3
fjtorres Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,732 Karma: 128354696 Join Date: May 2009 Location: 26 kly from Sgr A* Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000	There are alternative firmwares for the Hanlin V3 clones (BeBook one, Astak EZReader, etc) that handle MobiDRM and DRM-free LIT, plus Adobe DRM. Simplest solution is to strip the DRM off the files. Then you're free to buy the reader that best fits your needs. Last edited by fjtorres; 09-20-2010 at 09:41 AM. Reason: Yes, its Hanlin V3. Thanks!

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09-20-2010, 02:54 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	There are no dedicated readers that will read DRM-protected LIT files; you'll need to remove the DRM (very easy to do) and convert to another format, such as Mobi. Readers with DRM Mobi support are getting scarce these days due to Amazon (who own Mobi) imposed inconvenient licensing terms. The only manufacturer I personally know of who still supports it is Bookeen (http://www.bookeen.com) with their CyBook readers. Mobi DRM is, however, also very easy to remove, and that would then let you use, say, an Amazon Kindle, which is a very popular device (and Amazon have the best eBook store around, too).

09-20-2010, 04:25 PM	#7
Bev M Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 1378 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: In an RV, wherever it's parked Device: JetBook Lite	Thanks so much for the input. Sigh...I guess I'm going to have to download Calibre and learn to use it, as well as the Python? info I found on converting Mobipocket. I'm not a computer whiz and I was SO hoping not to have to learn how to use more pieces of software! Then, you're right, I can choose a reader based on whatever else looks important to me.

09-20-2010, 04:30 PM	#8
simplyparticular Guru Posts: 610 Karma: 1395952 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New York Device: Oasis 3 & GlowLight 4	Unfortunately, the formats supported in the early days of e-reading on PDAs and smartphones (LIT and Mobi and my prior preference, eReader) are not the dominant formats supported by the major E-Ink devices. I also had to get friendly with Python and Calibre, and it was tedious converting the old collection, but it has opened up the e-reading world for me to just about any device I want, as long as I'm willing to put in the time to de-DRM everything as I buy it. I never want to mass-remove and convert again. :P

09-21-2010, 02:56 AM	#10
SkyDream Wizard Posts: 1,377 Karma: 9400 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Europe Device: PRS-650, iPod touch 4G, iPad 3	Yet another reason to avoid DRM protected books. It's not easy to change your reader AND copy your books to your new reader.

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