Sony e-reader

ElNino · 23-10-2008 12:28pm

There are 2 alternative (and probably cheaper) sites to Sony ans Waterstones worth considering which accept international orders as follows:

http://www.fictionwise.com
http://www.booksonboard.com

Get the books in Microsoft Reader (i.e LIT) format. It is very easy to upload LIT books to your Sony Reader using Calibre and they convert perfectly.

rovert · 23-10-2008 9:46pm

Sorry lads which of these three formats can I download to my Sony Ereader with or without conversion:

Secure Ereader
Secure Mobipocket
Secure Microsoft Reader

Thanks

20goto10 · 30-10-2008 1:46pm

Here is a Guide on optimizing pdfs for the Sony reader. It'ss based on the PRS-500 but I'm sure the same applies for later models.

lifian · 02-11-2008 11:31am

does anyone know where i could actually buy a sony reader tomorrow?south dublin area.thanks

ElNino · 03-11-2008 10:52am

lifian wrote: »

does anyone know where i could actually buy a sony reader tomorrow?south dublin area.thanks

Waterstones, Xtravision and Sony Stores are selling them. I am not sure if all branches have them.

lifian · 03-11-2008 9:23pm

Thanks.Got one in Stillorgan Xtravision today.Won't see it in use until christmas as it is present for my daughter!Already can't wait to use it myself!

lifian · 03-11-2008 9:29pm

Just wondering are there any accessories that I should or need to get for it? Thanks

ElNino · 04-11-2008 11:32am

lifian wrote: »

Just wondering are there any accessories that I should or need to get for it? Thanks

I got a light for my one:
http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/displayProductDetails.do?sku=6337798

Other than that there aren't really too many accessories available.

filo87 · 05-11-2008 3:17pm

ElNino, is the light worth getting?Does it fit on neatly?Was going to wait for the PRS-700 as it has a built in light but if the add-on light is decent I'll probably just buy the 505 model.

lifian · 10-11-2008 12:59am

ElNino wrote: »

I got a light for my one:
http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/displayProductDetails.do?sku=6337798

Thanks.Read the reviews from the above site - a mixed lot.Think I'll leave the light for the moment and see how it goes!

Roy Rogers · 18-11-2008 2:56pm

Hi, just to add a wee question to this.

I'm thinking about picking a reader up for Christmas, and am torn between the Sony PRS-505 and the CyBook Gen3.

Sony - €249 (incl. case)
Cybook - €279 (€316 incl. case)

From what I gather, the Cybook is probably the better bet, for the mobipocket support especially.

Does it come with a case, or do you have to buy a case separately?

Roy Rogers · 19-11-2008 10:01am

I see. Cheers!

ROS123 · 01-12-2008 6:07pm

I have tries Sony shops (Liffey Valley and town) and Xtra Vision Portaloise Newbride, all talking about 2 -3 week delay. Anyone know where the might be available please.

manster · 03-12-2008 9:08pm

Picked mine up yesterday in Powercity, Coolmine Industrial Estate beside Blanchardstown.
Got it for €223 was on display for €233

Seemed to have a few left.

skapegoat · 13-12-2008 2:03pm

Sony readers now available in waterstones in the Jervis centre.
Aprox 30 left. Sold out in peats, Jervis st Sony centre and Celbridge xtra vision.
Retails at 250e in wAterstones.
Good lcuk and happy Xmas!

Dazed909 · 16-12-2008 8:39pm

Now sold out in Waterstones and all PowerCity stores. Missed out so gutted. If anyone hears of any shops with stock left pls let me know!

Tks,

D

talkingclock · 17-12-2008 12:50pm

try any Xtravision!

J-blk · 17-12-2008 2:01pm

There are other Sony Centers in St.Stephen's Green and on O'Connell street too - both are larger than the tiny Jervis one, so they may be better stocked...

Dazed909 · 17-12-2008 2:25pm

Cheers folks but all Sony Centres and Xtra-vision outlets are sold out too.

Laurs_civic · 19-01-2009 7:09pm

i have one since christmas and havent used it because i cant get any ebooks i want to read or anything on it..

can anyone help?

Stokolan · 19-01-2009 11:46pm

just wondering which sony model they are selling? is it the prs-505?

00sully · 20-01-2009 2:06pm

I got it yesterday from waterstones (uk) for £240. I've several technical PDF's and it's great for reading them. Especially if they are formatted correctly with a proper TOC! I had some of these printed out on A4 2 per page front and back - took several bound books for even 1 of these and now I can carry 100's of these with me wherever I go - just wish it had a search feature.

I've been reading a PDF novel which is formatted for A4 so its not 100% when I try to view it even on the 2nd and 3rd zoom levels. It's still excellent and doesn't really bother me (even though I am extremely finnicky!)

Also have a sony formatted .LRF novel which is perfect - I converted it from a .rtf file and it is perfect (using calibre)

overall - extremely impressed. The thing is also TINY!

nightswimr · 27-01-2009 8:41pm

00sully wrote: »

I've been reading a PDF novel which is formatted for A4 so its not 100% when I try to view it even on the 2nd and 3rd zoom levels. It's still excellent and doesn't really bother me (even though I am extremely finnicky!)

How can you tell if a PDF is formatted for A4 i.e. whether it will zoom effectively? Thanks.

talkingclock · 28-01-2009 1:04am

ARGOS is selling the 505 for 349€!!!!

http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/5139024/Trail/C$cip=1500019645%3EC$cip=1500019659.htm

RRP according to WATERSTONES UK is £229.00. I got mine for €249 from XTRAVISION
Needless to say that ARGOS UK is charging £229.00

Patrickof · 28-01-2009 2:36pm

A few people above have recommended booksonboard as a source for books but any book I've tried to buy it tells me it's not available for my country.

Is there a way around this?

I also believe you can get vouchers from one of the posters at mobileread.com for the sony ebook store that will work from here, but I haven't tried it.

I alseo tried to update the sony library/connect package to the 2.5 version on the sony website, but again it tells me it's the wrong country??

RuggieBear · 28-01-2009 2:55pm

i've bought two books from booksonboard and have had no trouble. (not exactly a representative sample i'll admit)

Patrickof · 28-01-2009 3:42pm

I was probably unlucky with the book I picked (The Camel Club by David Baldacci). And another one which I can't remember the name of!!!

I'll try a few others and see. I imagine it's down to individual publishers.

Patrickof · 10-02-2009 3:55pm

bedlam wrote: »

Just tried it my self, it certainly doesn't let you buy it, very odd. Take your business to fictionwise.com or change your booksonboard user location to USA

You can change your location to USA but it cops on when you try to use your credit card. And fictionwise.com has the same restrictions. It all looks good until you go to pay for the book , then it stops you.

Anyway, I got it sorted. Booksonboard lets you use a thing called Google Checkout (similar to paypal) and if you register on Google checkout with a US address (google a random address and zip code) it doesn't seem to mind that you use an Irish visa card.

I can now buy US restricted books easily.

Patrickof · 11-02-2009 11:35am

You must have your paypal set up as US, when I tried booksonboard and fictionwise with paypal both rejected me for the Baldacci books once I returned from the paypal website.

From what I see elsewhere it's the publishers restrictions.

I'm sure this'll all get easier as the e-readers become more popular.

Block (8 · 11-02-2009 1:46pm

Just posted this on bargain alerts on anyone waiting to pull the trigger

" Theres refurbished sony ebooks on ebay for £133.99 plus postage of £15.53 for a silver one

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...:X:RTQ:GB:1123

or £119.99 for a blue one

http://cgi.ebay.ie/Sony-Refurbished-...1%7C240%3A1318

They're from expansys so should be pretty safe.
Claim to be in "pristine condition" and "no cosmetic issues".

So if your thinking of one it looks like a good deal. "

Giggler · 16-02-2009 8:34pm

Hi all,
i still havn't got around to buying an e-reader of any sort yet, but the launch of the Amazon Kindle II, has got me interested again. Just wondering, is there anyway that this can be purchased in Ireland, or would it have to be sent to a US address??

The ease of purchasing books for it seems better than other options, and as i do most of my book shopping on amazon anyway, it isn't much of a change.

The other question i would have is that if i was to get one, could i purchase books for it??

I used a Sony one recently and wasn't impressed, so i am looking for alternatives.

Giggler · 17-02-2009 12:17am

Thanks Bedlam,
I think i will be sticking to the old fashioned way of reading for the moment!!!

ferdi · 23-02-2009 7:59pm

whats the best price i'm gonna get on the Sony PRS-505?

waterstones dawsons street just quoted me €279 over the phone
waterstones website (UK) is €224 (plus delivery)
Amazon UK have them for £215 (Plus delivery)
xtravision dont seem to have them anymore.

anywhere thats not ebay that i could get a better deal?

ferdi · 23-02-2009 9:15pm

sons of bitches

know of any websites that will deliver to ireland charging less than €278 for the Sony PRS-505?

edit:

Argos.co.uk - £224.99 (€256.41)
Argos.ie - €349.99 (£307.10)
Grrrrr...

butts · 24-02-2009 1:23pm

Powercity sell it online for €225.55 with stock available in all branches. I find that if you go into a store and mention the online price, that they will always agree to sell to you at the discounted price.

http://www.powercity.ie/?par=20-12-PRS505

ferdi · 24-02-2009 2:41pm

you're a star

XYZ1098 · 26-02-2009 1:20pm

Hi. Been looking to get an eReader for ages. Does anyone know if I get someone to send me the new 700 from the US, will it work here - will I be able to purchase books? Thanks

butts · 26-02-2009 4:04pm

I had thought about getting someone to bring me back a PRS-700 from the US, but in the end decided against it because of the various issues I've been reading about on mobileread.com, the latest been dust spots - checkout the following forum for info about this reader:

http://www.mobileread.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=176

XYZ1098 · 26-02-2009 5:27pm

very interesting - thanks. Looks like some people there think the 505 is better. I'm torn now.... I really want an eReader but want one sooner than later. I'm thinking the 505 may be best as at least it's available here. Could be inviting all sorts of trouble getting a 700 sent from US

ElNino · 27-02-2009 5:39pm

I bought my 505 from this site in the U.S. in 2007
http://www.bhphotovideo.com

They have the 700 for $399 here before shipping
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/587201-REG/Sony_PRS_700BC_PRS_700BC_Reader_Digital_Book.html

but be aware that you will get caught for Customs and VAT.

The PRS-700 will work fine in Ireland as it doesn't have wireless like the Kindle.

Giggler · 27-02-2009 7:18pm

Havn't checked in in a while, and i was just going through the posts.

In relation to purchasing from amazon.co.uk, i have purchased electronics from them before, uising my Irish credit card and a friends English address, it worked out fine, she just posted it to me, or i collected stuff when i went to see her.

If you had someone overthere that could do thet for you, jou could try that.

Still looking for the perfect electrinic alternative to the paper, need a house for the books at this stage, or i will have do do a serious amount of clearing out which i dont want to do, but i have a stack of books as tall as me waiting for a shelf!!!!!

dsignr25 · 04-04-2009 3:23am

bedlam wrote: »

Neither Watersones UK nor Amazon will deliver to Ireland so you'd have to have a UK address.

I bought mine from Waterstones online just after Christmas so they were sending to Ireland then.

Got it for about 225 including the delivery - the euro rates helped:)

only1mickie · 05-04-2009 5:39pm

I wanted to buy one of those readers but they are pretty slow I have red. If you have like a big pdf of 8 mb for example the time to switch the pages can go up to 15 seconds! So I would wait for the next gen maybe. I assume those things will be pretty popular in the future so they will probably get much better?.

filo87 · 05-04-2009 5:52pm

only1mickie wrote: »

I wanted to buy one of those readers but they are pretty slow I have red. If you have like a big pdf of 8 mb for example the time to switch the pages can go up to 15 seconds! So I would wait for the next gen maybe. I assume those things will be pretty popular in the future so they will probably get much better?.

I have a Sony reader. Just checked there using an 11.5Mb PDF and a page turn takes 2 seconds. Not a problem when you're reading as you quickly get into the habit of pressing the page turn button a few lines before the end of the page.

only1mickie · 05-04-2009 8:01pm

Peats Electronic also sells them..

http://www.peats.com/cgi-bin/catalog.cgi?view_product=1&id=24911

What I read, you can also listen to MP3 while reading? This would be too much of a distraction?

I read you can store over 150 books with its built-in memory? the same with spare memory cards to store extra books or content?? how much MB are they for both of them and much would the extra spare memory cards cost??

docmol · 05-04-2009 8:09pm

I have one and it reads txt, pdf, rtf, and sony (epub which is just html), No problems with downloading books for it from pb.

only1mickie · 05-04-2009 8:31pm

oK if you click into the eBook Reader Reviews below this will give details on each ebook reader..

http://www.dashreviews.com/ebookreaders/index.htm?gclid=CP20pZC-2pkCFQOaFQodNXVAVw

I know now the build in memory of sony one is 192 Mbs!!!

Patrickof · 06-04-2009 1:31pm

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.

funny1 · 16-04-2009 11:58am

byte wrote: »

I've seen that it'll only load ebooks bought in the Sony shop which are in a proprietary Sony format....

Seems as stupid as their first "mp3" players being only able to play Atrac files.

This is not the case. Sony Reader is the only "open format" electronic reader. You may be thinking of the Kindle which only allows Amazon books to be downloaded

Giggler · 16-04-2009 11:30pm

I had the opportunity to read using the sony 505 last night. Have to say, i was not impressed. The one i was using was in the cover with the light screen, which made it very heavy, i know it is lighter out of it, but good to see it in it

The font on the page was just uncomfortably to small, the next size up, to big, and the one after that was enormous. The refresh rate that had bothered me before was as slow as ever, and having got so used to navigation by touch screen or a mouse with electronic items, it was hard going back to buttons again.

I had been very close to purchasing one, and now i don't think i will bother, i can buy a lot of books and shelf space for the equivilent money. Just to expensive for what you get.:(:(

Sony e-reader

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