Any ebook reader for VGA devices? [Archive]

drop

11-11-2004, 04:30 PM

Fishie

11-11-2004, 06:02 PM

I couldn't get MS Reader to activate on X50v :roll:.

Tried Mobipocket Reader. It is not optimized for VGA (?!). If I wrongly accused Mobipocket, please correct me.

So is there other ebook reader that is optimized for VGA devices? It is hard on the eyes trying to read fuzzy, blurry text.

You could probably guess, I have many lit ebooks I am anxious to find a reader for.

Thanks.

Mobipocket worked a charm on my Toshiba e800 with the VGA hack so try Second edition real VGA.
Mobipocket seems to work excellent regardles of screen resolution, I have used it on several Palm OS machines at their respective resolutions, on a Windows smartphone, QVGA and VGA PPC´s and currently am a verry happy user on the Sigmarion´s WVGA screen(800by480)

drop

11-11-2004, 07:37 PM

Admittedly I haven't spent enough time to explore the many features of Mobipocket Reader, Creator, etc. So far I couldn't get Mobipocket to work properly on my WM2003SE VGA device. All the text, logo, etc are blurry. Buttons are not very responsive and a few buttons failed to respond at all. I would like to be able to use Mobipocket if I could. It is another level of reader comparing to MS Reader.

When you mentioned VGA hack, were you referring to something such as Tweak2K2 or other similar product?

While I am struggling with Mobipocket, any other ebook reader out there that works with VGA devices?

disconnected

11-11-2004, 09:43 PM

I haven't even tried to install MSReader yet. I'm afraid I might be running out of activations, and it all seems like too much hassle. I try to avoid buying ebooks in that format unless it's the only one available. My reader and books of choice are at ereader.com. Their DRM is much less intrusive than the others.

There is a useful thread on Brighthand about Mobipocket and ereader on the 4700. Apparently the latest version of ereader has VGA issues, but an earlier version, combined with the Tweaks2k2 "Brute Force VGA" hack, works well. I've been using it with no problems. The thread is here --

http://discussion.brighthand.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=112174&perpage=10&highlight=ereader&pagenumber=1

Near the end of the thread Ptah has a link to the usable version of ereader.

drop

11-11-2004, 10:01 PM

Thank you, disconnected.

I kept forgetting eReader was formerly known as Palm Digital Media, aka Palm Reader. I look at the site and there is no mention of SE or VGA. I guess I would hold off on reader all together. I have TextMaker to play with anyhow :D.

I think the message the universe is sending me is "read paper book". At least for now. I am VGA support is around the corner for most ebook readers. I could eventually read all the lit books that I paid for. Just not sure how far this corner is :confused totally: .

On a side note, you could request for more activation on line. I did that thinking I was out of activation. I just wrote down I had a new device and the process.

disconnected

11-11-2004, 10:34 PM

Thanks. I'll try the MSReader install as soon as I have the energy.

Meanwhile, really, try that old version of ereader and Tweaks2k2. The universe is sending you the wrong message. :)

Fishie

11-12-2004, 12:41 AM

Kati Compton

11-12-2004, 01:21 AM

Personally, I'm not thrilled about doing a soft-reset any time I want to read an ebook...

Are there any programs that can be "tricked" to work properly without installing SE_VGA or the like?

disconnected

11-12-2004, 05:01 AM

The Tweaks2k2 hack for ereader (or any other program it works for) doesn't require any resets. If I understand it correctly, it just creates a small file associated with the app that tells the OS that it's VGA-aware.

Kati Compton

11-12-2004, 06:19 AM

Cool - I'll have to look into that...

jgrnt1

11-13-2004, 05:09 AM

I use Mobipocket on my iPAQ 4700 with Tweaks2k2's VGA hack and it works great. The text is crystal clear. You can try the hack on any program that is not VGA aware. It works great with some and not so great with others. The nice thing about doing this with Tweaks2k2 is that you can undo the hack very easily, if you don't like what it does to a program you apply it to.

jpf

11-13-2004, 01:59 PM

I've used the tweaks2k2 route with ereader pro. I also use ubook which is free and can be configured to do a good job in VGA without resorting to any external tweaks.

Tye

11-14-2004, 03:32 AM

Also, if you force uBook to VGA it looks great. Make sure you set the text to a large size and use system menus instead of skinned menus.

bmurphy

11-16-2004, 08:41 AM

It's interesting to read all the posts about VGA. ( a little scary too!) I had to move from my cassiopeia to the x30 axiom and I couldn't get MS reader to install in the x30... Reader kept saying that I had an old un-upgradable MS reader, and wouldn't install. I gave up on it and installed Mobipocket reader for my Lit files (all my SciFi books from Baen). that worked beautifully, BUT now I'm hearing that there are issues with VGA! I have an x50v coming.... so I'm paying attention to the VGA problems. (mind you ... I'm on my second order of the x50v.... so not to confident about Dell right now.)

Kati Compton

11-16-2004, 07:36 PM

It's interesting to read all the posts about VGA. ( a little scary too!)
It's a little early on the support cycle, but there certainly is benefit to having it.

drop

11-16-2004, 09:34 PM

Agree. I love VGA screen. I am willing to temporarily give up some of my favorite apps and games.

I don't think I could put it off any longer, Tweaks2K2 here I come. I like what jgrnt1 said about the tweaks could be easily reversed.

drop

11-24-2004, 03:47 PM

An update:

Tweaks2k2 works well with Mobipocket on X50v. Well enough. Occasionally it freezes when I open the library. At least I could read most ebooks in my library.

Here is an email from Mobipocket:

Date : 23/11/2004 20:45:04 - From : Mobipocket Support : Nathalie

We are working on an upgrade of the Reader to support VGA on Windows Mobile 2003 SE. Availability is planned for April next year.

:? April?

Menneisyys

12-23-2004, 12:39 PM

I gave up on it and installed Mobipocket reader for my Lit files (all my SciFi books from Baen). that worked beautifully, BUT now I'm hearing that there are issues with VGA! I have an x50v coming.... so I'm paying attention to the VGA problems. (mind you ... I'm on my second order of the x50v.... so not to confident about Dell right now.)

Mobi 4.8 works great in forced VGA (Hi-Res resource hacking, like that of tweaks2k2) mode.

Menneisyys

12-23-2004, 12:41 PM

I don't think I could put it off any longer, Tweaks2K2 here I come. I like what jgrnt1 said about the tweaks could be easily reversed.

Yeah, you just delete the <exe name with the extension>.0409.mui file from the app's home directory, and that's all. Not even tweaks2k2 is needed for that...

Ripper014

12-23-2004, 08:43 PM

I have been looking at ubook and oz_vga and it works great...

nategesner

01-04-2005, 03:48 PM

Of all the things that we do with a PPC, reading is probably the biggest. We read books, we read work-related documents, we read our calendar and tasks, etc. So why is it VGA devices are not optimized for this?

To quote the infamous Black Beard: "ARRRGGGHHHH" ;)

I'm just ranting. I've read all the posts (five times over) because I was so excited to get a VGA device to improve my bookreading experience. I'm a heavy user of iSilo and Mobi, and occassionally use MS Reader (yech!). I was hoping they would be some of the first programs optimized for true VGA, since readers are the ones staring at the screen the most. Sad that they left us in the dark. Hopefully, one of the tweaks listed here will work for me once I find the time to try them.

alanm

02-05-2005, 07:45 AM

I have an iPAQ4700 and had problems with MS Reader in std VGA mode. The smallest font was too big, and the MS Reader menu items didn't respond to selections with the stylus, almost as if either the visible or actual VGA coordinates for the menus wasn't VGA :(. MS Reader worked properly using SE_VGA in true VGA mode but it was a hassle changing back to std VGA for all of the other applications to get the full size keyboard.

There was a happy ending though. The issue of Pocket PC Magazine www.pocketpcmag.com that came out over the holidays had a timely article comparing the various ebook readers in detail. I opted for the Tiny Reader from www.goldencrater.com. It can read the non-DRM .lit files I have from Baen but also .txt files from within ZIP files etc.
I now keep my 4700 in std VGA mode all the time. With the default font size set to 7pt and the record button re-mapped to open the Tiny Reader application - the VGA ebook experience is working great for me. :D

bmurphy

02-05-2005, 08:36 AM

Alanm:
Another Baen reader!! I thought that I might be alone in the wilderness.!! I've got my x50v now, and I'm just having trouble with my palm e-reader, and I'll look at the sites you recommended. MSreader the first line flickers in and out of VGA but it corrects itself. Mobipocket font is clear, but really small, which is not too bad, but I would like to have a larger font for the icons. It's true.. the cutting edge toys are great but the programs seem to lag behind. Makes for frustrating times. Are you a Baen bar-fly as well?
Barb

Islanti

02-06-2005, 04:50 AM

After applying the VGA hack to MSReader.exe, I've found it very usable on my hx4700. It definitely had problems before I did this, though.

If you're not familiar with the VGA hack, check out http://www.tweaks2k2.com .

I'm a Baen reader too, FWIW. :)

bmurphy

02-06-2005, 08:58 AM

I had problems with my first x50v (with bluetooth) and am slowly rebuilding the replacement, so I've got the e-reader 2.4.1v installed and that is running well with brute force VGA (Tweaks2k2 was the first to go in), and Mobipocket is acceptable, but I can't find MSreader.exe (installed it in main memory, and that may be the problem.) anyway the font is good with the new firmware upgrade AO2 and I haven't seen any flickers yet so things are looking up. I have a huge bookshelf with Baen Websubscriptions so that is a relief! I've been an e-scriber since they started and remember when 1632 (book) was just a discussion in BaenBar. It was great to read through the threads and then finally read the finished book.
All my favorite Sci-Fi authors are with Baen, so that is great at 2am when I suddenly realize that I've read everything and need something new.
Barb

Menneisyys

02-06-2005, 01:20 PM

but I can't find MSreader.exe (installed it in main memory, and that may be the problem.)

It's \Windows\reader.exe AFAIK.

Islanti

02-06-2005, 05:23 PM

You can install Reader in a file store or SD card to save space and still have it activated. I summarized the proceedure in this post:

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=36211&start=4&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

Hope that helps!

juni

02-07-2005, 07:22 AM

The Tweaks2k hack works great on the latest MS Reader. I tried it on Ereader Pro too but with poor results...so for now I'm getting my books from fictionwise in lit format. I always liked MS Reader better than Ereader anyway.

teq

02-09-2005, 01:23 PM

Just in case you're interested, this is a reply from ereader.com support that I received today:

>> VGA support - when will you release a version that offers VGA support
>> on Pocket PC?
> Greetings from Ereader.com.
>
> Our next version of eReader will have VGA support.
>
> If you have any further questions please contact us.
>
>
> Thank you for shopping at Ereader.com.
>
> Regards,
> Shane Corbett
> Customer Care Specialist

That's good news, isn't it? :) Except that she didn't mention a release date...

Cheers,
teq

Faenad

02-14-2005, 02:26 PM

for information, the latest version of µBook have now built in VGA compatibility. µBook is now a 12$ sharewhare, but a least you don't have to use any hack to have it working.
Previous version of µBook was working in VGA when correctly hacked with the hi-res ressource.