Sony e-reader

brian__foley · 09-10-2009 1:48pm

Anyone have a recommendation for an ereader that works very well with scanned a4 text - i.e. reports, papers, work stuff in general?

Thanks

B

freida · 21-10-2009 10:29am

Just bumping this up to see how you are all getting on with your e-readers, any tips of pitfalls for those of us still on the sideline? thanks, f.

branners69 · 24-10-2009 7:39pm

I bought mine on a bit of a spur of the moment back in July and I have to say I am happy with the purchase. I have read 4 books since buying it, I hadnt read 4 books in the previous 3 years!

I like the fact I can listen to mp3s so it saves having to bring my mp3 player. Don't get me wrong if there was any area which I would like to see an improvement in it is the functions of the mp3 player. You cant change songs or do pretty much anything apart from change the volume when you are reading!

But for the price it gets my vote!

Princess Zelda · 26-10-2009 10:18pm

With using Calibre I love my Sony Reader 505. Find it a lot easier to read on than I thought I would. With the auld memory card in it, I have about 1,000 books to choose from at any time. Saves me money in the long run

Eoin · 27-10-2009 2:29pm

freida wrote: »

Just bumping this up to see how you are all getting on with your e-readers, any tips of pitfalls for those of us still on the sideline? thanks, f.

Enjoying my PRS-505 since I got it in June - I have read a good few books on it by now. I have to travel a bit with work, so it's very handy.

I've been using www.booksonboards.com and www.diesel-ebooks.com and that seems to be fine. Still really pissed off that a eBook costs the same as a physical book though.

I've noticed that the formats aren't always exactly correct though, but that might be to do with the zoom level I am using. Main problem is that it can be an absolute pig when it tries to open PDFs (easily a minute to change pages). When I convert them to another format, then it can just end up as one massive block of text, removing all formatting.

vigos · 27-10-2009 3:26pm

Patrickof wrote: »

Y
Their selection is fairly small for now (hopefully the more that use it will encourage them to expand it), but if you're really serious the New York Public libraries will let non-NY residents join for $100 per annum. Has to be done by post though. They have a pretty good selection of ebooks to download.

I´ve been trying to find information on their website for this but couldn´t find it, would have a link?

also do you know if this will work with the sony e-reader P600?

freida · 27-10-2009 3:33pm

Great thanks for all the feedback! Yeah thats a bit dissapointing about the cost alright. You'd kinda imagine that they'd be cheaper or at least you'd be able to avail of deals like two for one. I'd had a look at these two sites www.mobipocket.com www.allromanceebooks.com someone mentioned that they use but their seemed to be a lot of 'adult content' . Neither of them seemed great or particularly cheap. The kindle is shipping here now from amazon, but some of the titles won't be available on it here due to copyright issues. So i don't know how that would work out?

freida · 27-10-2009 4:20pm

here's a link, the 100€ or whatever is probably necessary as a deposit to sign up for a card. http://ebooks.nypl.org/DFEF7EF0-2D1B-49DA-9FF8-F613FC5EB292/10/257/en/Default.htm hth's f.

vigos · 27-10-2009 4:22pm

no just talked with a librarian online, she told me they´ve stopped this service to non-residents a while back which is a pity

freida · 27-10-2009 9:01pm

Jeez thats a bummer, just when I was thinking of getting one, f.

DirectEbooks · 27-10-2009 9:59pm

Hi Guys.
I've seen some comments about poor display and formatting on the sony reader and I'd just like to add my tuppence worth. I own a prs-505 and I have handled and used about 14 different types of readers, all brands.

Regarding poor presentation and display, the main issue is the type of file you are using. The best format for the Sony readers is ePub. This type of format is widely available in Uk and Irish ebook stores. It automatically "reflows" the text to fit the screen size without losing the shape of paragraphs, splitting words or giving blank pages. These are problems generally associated with pdf files which currently dominate the market.

So try and buy epub files where you can.

If anyone has any other questions, just shout!

Gazza1000 · 07-12-2009 3:48pm

Hi Guys,
Can I ask is there any problems with purchasing an E-book reader in the states and using it here in Ireland? I'm getting someone a X-mas pressie and am in NY next week so was thinking the value would be better over there ($). Anyone any experience of doing this? Also, are these devices fairly user friendly? The person I'm getting this for is not tech head by any means so just want to be able to turn on and read, just like a book!

Appreciate any advice!

Gazza...

DirectEbooks · 07-12-2009 3:52pm

Hi Gazza.

there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to buy a reader in the states. they charge via usb, so power supply isnt a problem.

As to how difficult they are to use, the only issues you'll have is downloading the eBooks. Like anything, the first time or two will take a little figuring out, but after that you're flying!

let me know if you have any more specific questions.

Gazza1000 · 08-12-2009 2:43pm

Thanks!

eljono · 18-12-2009 1:03pm

Hi, does anyone know if the reader works in french as well or would you have to buy a French-specific model?

Accountsplus · 20-12-2009 10:45am

I don't own a sony ereader myself but my guess is that the readers are not tied to a specific language.
I say that for two reasons.
One, many English books will include some French words.
If it can reproduce one French word then....
Secondly, ereaders support French-English dictionaries. Again if it can reproduce the French words it must be able to reproduce a full book.
Waterstones sell a french english dictionary in ebook format. http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/advancedSearch.do?buttonClicked=1&title=&author=&bookkeywords=french-english+dictionary&format=3757&ctx=&price=&age=&isbn=

freida · 20-12-2009 5:37pm

just ring the sony shop in liffey valley or elsewhere to be sure, f.

reverandkenjami · 20-12-2009 9:42pm

E-reader related question! Bought one of them for the other half as an xmas present! Downloaded books from WHsmith and they show up in adobe digital edition but wothout the book cover! Is the cover meant to show on the e-readers? Its in Epub format

DirectEbooks · 20-12-2009 11:52pm

If they are in epub format, they should display the cover. It may be to do with your settings.
By the library button top left, there is a down arrow click it and click thumbnail view.

Let me know if this works for you.

wjc · 26-12-2009 2:23pm

Other half got me Sony PRS 600 for xmas. What are best sites to download books from and any other tips?

DirectEbooks · 26-12-2009 4:23pm

Hi WJC.

There are loads of sistes out there - some general, some specific. Two things to watch out for. 1. make sure the eBook is available in your area - a lot of American sites wont let you download. Also, for the Sony, PDf and ePub are the only file formats you should buy..

Enjoy!

Accountsplus · 27-12-2009 10:26am

You asked for sites and tips. BTW, I don't have a sony so this may not be complete.

Irish site : http://www.directebooks.com
UK Sites
waterstones.co.uk
whsmith
borders
booksonboard.co.uk
US Site
fictionwise

Useful info.
One of the best sites I have found for discussion of almost anything to do with ereaders and ebooks is www.mobileread.com.
There is a specific forum on the sony.
And there's lots of info as to where to get free books.

Also, later on, you may want to look at software like calibre for managing your elibrary and for converting formats.

I am sure other sony owners will add to this but its a start.

Smurffan · 27-12-2009 7:26pm

Hi

trying to set up new Reader PRS-600 and get a message "Calibration error detected. Please restart calibration process", also asks to '' Using the stylus, tap on the center of the target'', there are Xs on screen but tapping these does not work, just get original error message.

Have googled a few tech sites but no luck, any tips?!

robinph · 27-12-2009 10:16pm

Are you hitting the middle of the X'es?

xxsunshinexx · 28-12-2009 9:19pm

We have a new Sony PRS 300 and are trying to install an ebook library. When we chose UK it wont install. However when we chose US it installs fine. Has anyone else had this problem?

liamog · 29-12-2009 2:07am

xxsunshinexx wrote: »

We have a new Sony PRS 300 and are trying to install an ebook library. When we chose UK it wont install. However when we chose US it installs fine. Has anyone else had this problem?

Are you trying to install the software from the device or the updated version from Sony?

The latest software is available here.

If you still have trouble then make sure your PC is set to the correct region, depending in your version of windows there should be a region and language option in the control panel. Make sure this is set correctly. Mine is set to Ireland and the software works.

Hope this helps.

xxsunshinexx · 30-12-2009 10:33am

At the moment we have nothing installed we are trying to install the library. I checked the computer settings and the region is set to Ireland but still no luck when we try to install the library. We get as far a this box where you put in country and language but theres still no Ireland...thanks for your help so far

robinph · 30-12-2009 5:53pm

It installed fine from my 300 reader on my main machine (Vista), although it now keeps on coming up trying to reinstall each time I plug it into that machine but I've renamed the Sony library software so that it doesn't start as I'm using Calibre instead. On another machine (XP) though it has never come up with the prompt to install the Sony software for some reason, but again I'm just using Calibre on that one as well.

liamog · 01-01-2010 10:27pm

xxsunshinexx wrote: »

At the moment we have nothing installed we are trying to install the library. I checked the computer settings and the region is set to Ireland but still no luck when we try to install the library. We get as far a this box where you put in country and language but theres still no Ireland...thanks for your help so far

Is the UK option coming up? Or is that the one the fails to install? And did you try the software from the link I posted?

robinph · 07-01-2010 11:33pm

Just went and did the Russification hack on my PRS-300 and now have a clock on the bottom corner of the screen and 7/8 as the page turn buttons.

xxsunshinexx · 08-01-2010 10:46am

Thanks for all your help!! Our e book is now up and running!!:D

robinph · 08-01-2010 10:55pm

Patrickof wrote: »

You can now download books from South Dublin Co Co Library as ebooks. They last three weeks and then disable themselves.

Do a google search for SOuth Dublin Libraries.

Their selection is fairly small for now (hopefully the more that use it will encourage them to expand it), but if you're really serious the New York Public libraries will let non-NY residents join for $100 per annum. Has to be done by post though. They have a pretty good selection of ebooks to download.

Looks like you can get eBooks from a few libraries in Ireland if you live in the area and get yourself a library card:
South Dublin
Dun Laoghaire - Rathdown
Kildare

I've also managed to get registered for Essex libraries with a borrowed UK address I have as well and get a couple of eBooks from there too. They seemed to have a better selection and more copies of each book on first browse around their site.

Dan_Solo · 24-02-2011 10:26pm

Back from the grave...
Just wondering if anybody's tried the new Sony eReader firmwares at http://ebookapplications.com/ ??
They look pretty cool, with even comic format support, but appear to have some battery killing problems.

ROS123 · 04-03-2011 5:50pm

Anyone know if you can have the screen repaired on a PRS-505 I think it is. The lcd is leaking, it must have got crushed, just the top right hand corner but its a pain to read.

Eoin · 04-03-2011 5:57pm

Quick google brought me this site that seems to do spare parts etc - Google Chrome will translate it from Spanish for you: http://www.ebookspares.com/

But it looks like they're hard to find and pretty expensive. You might be better off trying to find a second hand unit on eBay or something.

Sony e-reader

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