Is the EBook Function Practical?

ventiSumatra · #1 (**permalink**) 26th Sep 2006, 3:25 pm

I'd like to know what your experience has been using an MP4 for reading. Although I see a popular novel in the download section, I wonder whether reading lengthy text is indeed comfortable. Uxcell's site does not provide screen resolution information, but from other similar players found on ebay, it seems midway between 100 and 200 pixels squared is typical. (The devices I am considering have 1.5" screens.)

ventiSumatra

tadad1 · #2 (**permalink**) 26th Sep 2006, 10:11 pm

ventiSumatra, My opinion, if you want to store small amounts of info like addresses, or contact details etc then the feature works well. As a book reader you are better off buying the book and listening to your favourite tracks while reading it.

admin · #3 (**permalink**) 26th Sep 2006, 11:36 pm

ventiSumatra,

You've raised a very good question!

I agree with tadad.

Storing contact details might be handy, but then again, you have your mobile phone for that too.

However, trying to read a novel on a tiny 1.5" screen I feel isn't practical. Also it will take you ages to set it up correctly too as some needs to be set up the right way for it to display properly on the screen. Also, the constant scrolling needed as the screen don't display that much text on them.

I just don't think it's worth the effort. Get an audio book instead or a paperback book.

ventiSumatra · #4 (**permalink**) 27th Sep 2006, 2:26 pm

Thank you. I appreciate your advice. I must say that the possibility of access to an ebook in such a convenient, easily portable, form-factor was what has had me considering mp4 players. Yet, clearly there is a community of devotees on the internet. Are people primarily seeking a device capable of video in addition to the audio available on commoner mp3 players?

admin · #5 (**permalink**) 27th Sep 2006, 7:38 pm

ventiSumatra

I think practically if the screen was larger (say 2.0") and that the functionality was better done, it would be a good and useful feature.

However, I think they 'rushed' the ebook function. I think they just put it together just so they can say it can do it, but haven't really made it 'functional'.

If you get a Portable Media Player (PMP) instead which uses a different chipset and board, you'll find they're actually quite good and usable. I will try to post a screen of the ebook function in one of my PMP's for you.

Personally I like it because of the video and FM radio function. Music is great but sometimes you want a variety and something 'different' instead. Being able to watch music videos is a good variety too.

grabbersound · #6 (**permalink**) 2nd Oct 2006, 3:01 am

Hi,
This "E-Book" function is very practically for me. If I need to do some presentation for my school, i just write a simply txt file, and read it on the lesson without any papers. But sometimes teacher looks at me very werid...

Anyway, i use "E-Book" option to save some funny jokes...
But yesterday I tried a "Da Vinci code" book on it and it was very uncomfortable.
pS. sorry about my english...

razzer001 · #7 (**permalink**) 2nd Oct 2006, 3:17 am

i've only seen one player where the phone book function is useful and that was for a player that could double as a voip type phone

Rayta · #8 (**permalink**) 4th Oct 2006, 6:57 pm

I only use Ebook function to show to others some Email I received

Smeag · #9 (**permalink**) 18th Oct 2006, 9:35 pm

I was hoping to read many books, but after buying my mpx player I've realised the font used for showing the text made it a bit umcomfortable to read...

In Argentina some PDA's have the same price as the chipods (100 USD) and they even have Windows CE installed...they are PERFECT for reading e-books.. but they are a bit bigger than our lovely chipods :P

Here's the pic...anyway..maybe you might find some monochromatic PDA for much less in you country...

http://www.mercadolibre.com.ar/jm/im...3_4282.jpg&v=P