Adobe Ebooks on Sony PRS-500 - doesnt import to Sony

Andrew,

"Secured" BBeB is the only format with DRM that the Sony Reader PRS-500 reader supports, but it also supports, PDF,Text and RTF (as long as they do not have any DRM). I think the Sony Reader comes with a BBeB creator/convertor utility as part of their desktop software (it's how they handle Word Documents), and there may be other 3rd party utilities out there as well. However it is unlikely that any of those utitlities will be able convert from any source that is "secured" by DRM. So your best bet is to look for publishers/bookstores that have unsecured formats that you can convert from or use directly as an option. For instance if you like SciFi, take a look at Baen's Store or their free library (the RTF formatted texts will probably be your best bet).

Jim Lester
Adobe Systems

Jim,

If Sony is only supporting the BBeB format, the natural follow up is: Is there an application that allows a user to convert into the BBeB format?

Like Ms Ditchburn, I bought the PRS500 while on vacation in the US, but now that I'm back in Toronto, they refuse to allow me to buy books from them.

Per Sony's web site (click on the specification tab) the only "Secured" format that the Sony PRS-500 Reader supports is their own BBeB format (which you get from their Connect bookstore). While they do support unsecured PDF files, they do not support PDF files which are encrypted by the Adobe Ebook security handler, which are most likely the books you are getting from eBooks.com.

My wife who also has the Sony Reader gets around this by purchasing the MultiFormat books (one of the formats is unsecured PDF) from Fictionwise.com, when she can't find what she wants on the Sony Connect site.

Jim Lester
Adobe Systems

On a recent visit to New York I bought a Sony PRS-500 at a major Sony dealership. When I got back to the UK I found that Sony will not accept my Amex Card as I am outside the US and therefore I am unable to purchase books from their Connect Store!

I found ebooks.com and my wishes were answered, I could purchase books for my new toy as the site said books were available in Adobe and the PRS-500 said it would accept this format. I have been unable to download the two books I bought into the library and now I feel I've been cheated twice, not only unable to buy from Sony but the books I can buy I can't read. If anyone can help I would appreaciate it.