Unable to import known-good, non-DRM PDB book into Stanza iPhone

Fri, 09/25/2009 - 15:07 — Anonymous

I am unable to import a specific, known-good, non-DRM ebook into Stanza iPhone (version 1.9.1 running under OS 3.1 on aniPhone 3GS 16Gb).

I have successfully imported several hundred ebooks in the past, both purchased books via the eReader site, and my own content from my own webserver (but probably using an earlier version of Stanza). This particular book was generated by a third party (specfically, it it "Gibraltar Sun" from http://www.scifi-az.com/gibraltar2.htm in PDB non-DRM format) but works fine with the offical eReader application on the iPhone so is definitely not damaged and is not DRM-protected.

I have tried importing the file via Stanza from my own webserver, via Library > Online Catalog > My Server, selecting the file and touching the red Download button, but the file is immediately marked with a red exclamation-mark, and the description says "Import Failed - Failed to download and import 'Gibraltar_Sun_-_Michael_McCollum.pdb' : Unable to translate 'Gibraltar_Sun_-_Michael_McCollum.pdb' for import."

I have also uploaded the file to my personal booksheld on the eReader site, and tried downloading to Stanza iPhone from there - this also results in an error (with an Error button due to the different interface for that site, but when tapping the Error button I get the same text description as above).

Downloading the same file from my personal bookshelf using the eReader 2.1.1 app on the iPhone works correctly and opens the file, so I know that the file is correct and not DRM protected, so I believe there must be a fault in the Stanza application's download/import processs.

Are there any suggestions/workarounds that might let me get this file into Stanza? If you need a copy of the file to investigate, please provide me with an email address I can send the file to for analysis.

Thanks in advance!

Stanza Support

Tue, 09/29/2009 - 11:46 — support

If the file is not protected

If the file is not protected with DRM, can you try opening it with Calibre and see if it is able to process it? If so, then you can export it to .epub and share that file with Stanza iPhone.

Sun, 09/27/2009 - 22:29 — jehrler

Funny, I'm in the middle of

Funny, I'm in the middle of rereading my copy of the same book prior to reading the concluding one in the series, Gibraltar Stars.

I actually have opened my version in Stanza desktop and then exported it as an epub. That is the version I then share to get onto my iphone. [Just realized my version is a prc not a pdb. McCollum is really good about allowing you to get different versions if you are having trouble. Maybe see if he will send you an epub version if you can show payment for the pdb version.]

*NOTE* The latest beta, at least on Snow Leopard, requires you to turn off your Firewall to allow sharing of a book.

Edited: noted different file version.

Fri, 09/25/2009 - 16:33 — withak

Something in the file may be

Something in the file may be broken in a way that the ereader app ignores but stanza does not. If there is no DRM then maybe Calibre can convert it to a more useful format to load in stanza?