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The Sony Reader PRS-505 is the upgrade to Sony's first eBook reader the PRS-500 featuring improved hardware specifications and improved software capabilities. The 6" screen uses a new version of the E-Ink technology with a better contrast ratio, faster response time, and support for eight shades of gray instead of four. Furthermore the PRS-505 contains two slots, one for Memory Stick Duo cards, and one for SD Cards.

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Pros & Cons

Pros:
12 people have already voted. Do you agree?

Simple and sleek design
+8agreedisagree

USB mass storage mode works with all operating systems
+8agreedisagree

Huge storage capabilities (up to 12GB total)
+6agreedisagree

Plays mp3s
+6agreedisagree

Excellent text reproduction
+6agreedisagree

PDF support
+6agreedisagree

Improved button placement
+4agreedisagree

Cheaper than other available eBook readers
+3agreedisagree

Can now group collections on SD
+2agreedisagree

very easy to read, in the right light
+1agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?

Software still inneficient for large collection
+6agreedisagree

PDF rendering is very poor for larger pages - text is rendered very small
+4agreedisagree

Can't control music while reading
+3agreedisagree

Formatting of RTF files can be slow
+3agreedisagree

Page transition is annoying
+2agreedisagree

No back light
+2agreedisagree

eBook software limited to Windows
0agreedisagree

Competing products

Sony Reader PRS-505 is ranked 4th.  See the top picks in e-book Readers

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More information

Features

  • 6" EInk screen
  • Portrait and landscape modes
  • Formats: HTML, Txt, PRC, PalmDoc, PDF, Secured Mobipocket
  • 32MB of integrated storage expandable by 12GB through memory cards
  • Unprotected MP3 and AAC support

Memory

Transferring content to the reader is accomplished by one of two ways: 1) through Sony's eBook Library software (Windows only), and 2) dragging and dropping directly from your computer. The eBook library software acts as a portal where you can purchase new protected eBooks, and also transfer Word, and other documents to the 505's native format. When connected to your computer through USB, the 505 acts as a USB mass storage device and shows up as an extra drive. If you have memory cards in the slots, then both can show up as separate mass storage drives when connected to your computer.

Organization

Alongside the traditional methods of browsing your books - including by author, by date downloaded - the software in the 505 has additional support for Collections. Collections are custom defined groups of books for easier organization, though only one level of grouping is available with subgroups not possible.

Both unprotected MP3 and unprotected AAC playback are supported. Music controls are built directly in the player's software letting you perform that standard actions such as play, pause and skip tracks. No dedicated music controls are found on the 505's hardware, which means that when you have music playing while reading a book there's no way to control the music.

Regarding the poor display of pdfs, various workarounds have been proposed. One is an 'any2lrf' converter, found as part of a library called libprs500

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7 comments about Sony Reader PRS 505

1.  avatar desjardinsy001  Dec 18, 2007 2:49pm

Sony is really really bad at software design, it would win a lot of support if it'd open up its platform for developers.

 

2.  avatar Omar  Dec 18, 2007 4:06pm

If their Sony Connect service is anything to go by you're definitely right! Funny enough, but I actually really like their XMB interface that they're using on all their new home theatre equipment and PS3/PSP. Maybe their new software practises will migrate over to the other departments? Not bloody likely... So I agree, they should just open up the damn platform. They learned their lesson with their MP3 players, hopefully it doesn't take as long with the readers.
3.  avatar sandman  May 14, 2008 9:21am

Does sony's eBook library have a majority of the books? what do you do about a book they don't have but Amazon or others have?
4.  avatar neethakn  May 31, 2008 2:22pm

want to buy it, but unfortunately its not avaliable in india, only way i can buy it, i got to order it online, but the shipping charges vary btwn 50$ to 75$ !!!!
5.  avatar Discordanian  Oct 18, 2008 9:20pm

Does this have a cbz reader?
6.  avatar labrys  Nov 26, 2008 10:27am

The "reader" software (like ipods software.. but appaulingingly simplistic and annoying to use) does not appear to be able to do much other than let you copy things over. How do you set up catagories? Also half of these protected PDF's you buy dont even bother setting the title or author fields in the pdf which is very frustrating! I t took a while to realise you needed abobe editions and sony reader installed just to get copyportected files over (and you have to have editions closed just to get it to authorize the first time.. i had it open allready and wondered why it was not working!) VERY FIDDLY. Still in its infancy from the looks of it. Also so few people sell ebooks. Only 1 of terry pratchets is available for exampel.. and a lot of books are only allowed in certain contries!
7.  avatar labrys  Nov 26, 2008 10:28am

oh also.. the buttons on the side are always getting pressed even when the cover is over it if you pick it up from that side or close the cover to hevily! But i hear there is plenty of hacks out there for disabling this. Why it is not just an option is beyond me.
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Key Features:

Manufacturer Sony
MSRP $299.00
Product Line Sony Reader
Release Date Oct. 1, 2007

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3521 views and 123 edits (see all)
Created: 11/21/2007 - 10:25
Modified: 11/26/2008 - 10:31
Model # variations:

PRS, 505, PRS505