PocketBook InkPad 4 and PocketBook Era (and its screen controversy)

[notatree]

Originally Posted by Frostbite

Sorry, no images.Trying again.

EDIT: gosh, how I hate this platform. I am planning to launch a forum dedicated to e-readers. Contact me if anyone would like to join later. Anyway, for some reason, the attachment manager is not working on my mobile. I'm travelling so I will post images in a couple of days from home.

Thank you in advance and I'm sorry for the hassle!

[Frostbite]

Originally Posted by notatree

Thank you in advance and I'm sorry for the hassle!

No problem, here it is. As said, I don't see a difference with just 5% brightness.

Also, the images from the phone are not very clear. If you want I can send another set of images with the same settings now when I am at home.

[Thena]

Thank you for the review. Even though I recently got a Kobo Libra 2, I looked into getting a Pocketbook Era. It's a bit harder where I am and more expensive. I may still get it as a backup or alternative 7" device. I like recessed screens but it sounds like for most people, the extra layer is not an issue.

[Frostbite]

What I've seen with both Pocketbooks is that you better change from the default font and the text will look much sharper.

The screen is not an issue to me at all.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by Frostbite

What I've seen with both Pocketbooks is that you better change from the default font and the text will look much sharper.

The screen is not an issue to me at all.

True. I wasn't happy with any of the fonts that came with my PocketBooks. All too light for me. I installed Constantia and use it for everything (and am very happy with it).

Same deal with the other readers that can sideload fonts. A dark font makes all the difference in the world for me.

[Frostbite]

Originally Posted by rcentros

True. I wasn't happy with any of the fonts that came with my PocketBooks. All too light for me. I installed Constantia and use it for everything (and am very happy with it).

Same deal with the other readers that can sideload fonts. A dark font makes all the difference in the world for me.

I went with PT Serif (pre-loaded). The fonts now look sharp, clean and easy to read. I tried Bookerly and Atkinson Hyperlegible, but that PT Serif is actually the best for me.

Just the default font is not crisp enough. I don't know why.

[robertpolson]

Originally Posted by rcentros

True. I wasn't happy with any of the fonts that came with my PocketBooks. All too light for me. I installed Constantia and use it for everything (and am very happy with it).

Same deal with the other readers that can sideload fonts. A dark font makes all the difference in the world for me.

Can you please share where did you get Constantia font?

[EastEriq]

Originally Posted by robertpolson

Can you please share where did you get Constantia font?

I think a web search brings up an uncountable number of download sites, but anyway here is what I'm using, thickened a bit with fontforge. I think I emboldened by 1.02 or something the like, but each time I open fontforge it takes me a quarter of an hour to figure out where the setting was, so can't tell for sure. Also, when saving the fonts fontforge complained about many path inconsistencies, which I couldn't resolve. Anyway, having copied both the regular and the italic version (the file naming is mine), I'm quite pleased by the result on my device. YMMV.

[robertpolson]

Originally Posted by EastEriq

I think a web search brings up an uncountable number of download sites, but anyway here is what I'm using, thickened a bit with fontforge. I think I emboldened by 1.02 or something the like, but each time I open fontforge it takes me a quarter of an hour to figure out where the setting was, so can't tell for sure. Also, when saving the fonts fontforge complained about many path inconsistencies, which I couldn't resolve. Anyway, having copied both the regular and the italic version (the file naming is mine), I'm quite pleased by the result on my device. YMMV.

Thank you. I'll give it a try.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by Frostbite

I don't know, I just don't need the Koreader I guess.

I tried it a couple days on my Touch HD 3 also, but didn't particularly like it and uninstalled it. One feature I did like, however, was the ability to adjust the contrast — which I think is better than adjusting the boldness of fonts. Adjusting the contrast means the font's shape doesn't change.

But other than that I just didn't "take" to KoReader. I like the reader built into the PocketBook. (A big reason why I didn't like the KoReader is that there wasn't any standard ePub page numbering.)

[Frostbite]

Originally Posted by rcentros

I tried it a couple days on my Touch HD 3 also, but didn't particularly like it and uninstalled it. One feature I did like, however, was the ability to adjust the contrast — which I think is better than adjusting the boldness of fonts. Adjusting the contrast means the font's shape doesn't change.

But other than that I just didn't "take" to KoReader. I like the reader built into the PocketBook. (A big reason why I didn't like the KoReader is that there wasn't any standard ePub page numbering.)

I have it installed on one PocketBook, but I still don't use it regularly. If I am reading a specific book or in a specific language, then I might need a dictionary a bit more. These are better than in PocketBook.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by Frostbite

I have it installed on one PocketBook, but I still don't use it regularly. If I am reading a specific book or in a specific language, then I might need a dictionary a bit more. These are better than in PocketBook.

I've got the Merriam-Webster Universal (English) dictionary installed. And it's pretty good. But I can't speak for other languages.

On my my old PocketBook Basic Touch reader I was able to buy the Oxford English Dictionary (like the one that comes with the Kindle, and came with Sonys (when still made) and now the Kobos) — unfortunately it no longer appears to be available for PocketBooks (it used to be on their book store site). Its license is attached it to a specific device serial number so I can't transfer it to the Touch HD 3.

But, the Universal Merriam Webster dictionary is not bad and I don't use the dictionary a lot.

[graycyn]

Originally Posted by rcentros

I've got the Merriam-Webster Universal (English) dictionary installed. And it's pretty good. But I can't speak for other languages.

On my my old PocketBook Basic Touch reader I was able to buy the Oxford English Dictionary (like the one that comes with the Kindle, and came with Sonys (when still made) and now the Kobos) — unfortunately it no longer appears to be available for PocketBooks (it used to be on their book store site). Its license is attached it to a specific device serial number so I can't transfer it to the Touch HD 3.

But, the Universal Merriam Webster dictionary is not bad and I don't use the dictionary a lot.

Where did you get the Merriam-Webster Universal (English) dictionary? And how does one install it, if you don't mind my asking?

Although I'm really liking my Pocketbook Era, the dictionary could sure be better.

EDIT: I don't use KOReader either, and have no particular desire to do so.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by graycyn

Where did you get the Merriam-Webster Universal (English) dictionary? And how does one install it, if you don't mind my asking?

Although I'm really liking my Pocketbook Era, the dictionary could sure be better.

EDIT: I don't use KOReader either, and have no particular desire to do so.

From the link in this post (or an earlier post of the link with the same dictionaries link)...

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...&postcount=247

The dictionary that I downloaded is the very bottom one on this page...

https://e.pcloud.link/publink/show?c...blicfolderlist

I see they now have one with a newer date just above it. I don't know what the difference would be.

Once downloaded, just connect your PocketBook to your computer and go to the system folder, then to dictionaries folder (if it doesn't exist just create a new dictionaries directory, but I'm pretty sure it already exists). Once you're there copy your dictionary file with the ".dic" extension into that folder.

Then disconnect your PocketBook. Tap your Apps icon, then tap the Dictionary icon, then tap the "dictionary" icon (just below the battery icon, near the top right). At that point you should be able to scroll to the bottom of your "Select Dictionary" window and see a "Webster's 3rd NewIntDicUnabridged" entry. Just select it and exit.

It's possible that you will have to restart after copying your dictionary to the dictionaries folder, but I don't think it's necessary (it's been a while since I've done this, so I could be wrong).

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by graycyn

Although I'm really liking my Pocketbook Era, the dictionary could sure be better.

The default dictionary (at least the English one) is definitely a weak point with PocketBooks. The only problem with the Webster's dictionary (linked in previous post) is that it has the full definition, so it can require a lot of scrolling in the small dictionary window that PocketBook provides. That's one feature I would like to see in the PocketBook. The ability to open the dictionary in full page mode when reading, like some of the other readers provide. (You can get full screen by looking up the word in the Dictionary app, but I would like that integrated while reading.)

Originally Posted by graycyn

As for KoReader, I just didn't find it necessary. I like the PocketBook's built-in application and features.

More features (and complexity) than I need. But the main thing that bothered me was its lack of "regular" ePub page numbering. (I use that for syncing with other readers.)