RCA eBook Reader (REB1200)

Product Description

eBook 1200 is simple. The large screen color display is easy to use. There is no need for a PC when you use its built in modem. It's flexible. Use the touch screen to access your latest selection on your eBook or your personal bookshelf. It adapts to you. Change the font size, adjust the back light or use the stylus to write some notes that you can erase at a later date. Loads of eBook titles are available. Choose Gemstar eBook titles from authors like Stephen King or Patricia Cornwell or select a magazine or newspaper issue like the New York Times.

Customer Reviews:

"No longer in production" doesn't mean "not useful".......2006-05-12

First, let's address the issue of content for the REB 1200. Some reviewers mark down the reader because of a perceived lack of content. To my mind, this is akin to saying that a computer is useless because you can't find a specific software package for it. Rate the device on its own points; discuss the content issue separately.

Although it's true that GemStar/RCA stopped making this ebook reader, and it's also true that you can't buy major market content for it from GemStar, Amazon, B&N, or Powell's, it IS NOT TRUE that you can't buy content. Fictionwise sells material ranging from short stories to full-length novels for this device (in the OEB .IMP format), as well as for its cousin, the REB 1100 (AKA Rocket eBook).

Software is also available to convert other electronic formats (including unencrypted .RB, .PDF and .LIT) into .IMP format (visit www.chromakinetics.com/REB1200/index.html for information). You can also convert anything in standard HTML into the .IMP format, along with graphics in .JPG or .PNG format. (So you could, say, download an article from Slate or Salon to read on the train.) With the right software, you can even convert a PowerPoint presentation into the .IMP format and display it on the REB 1200. Nice back-up for a presentation to a small group if your laptop or projector fails.

As for the device itself, I think it's great. A large, bright screen that will display color and let you read in the dark; a simple method for moving content (including your own) into the book; the ability to create slideshows of photos to display on it; a removable, rechargable battery (lasts from 3-12 hours, depending on how bright you like your backlighting); Compact Flash memory (it will take up to a 1gb card, which will hold 300+ books); the ability to make 'margin notes' with the included stylus... what's not to like in a dedicated device?

The reader has a leather cover to protect the screen. Flip it "open" just like a regular book and you're looking at a screen that would work fine on a laptop.

Press the "Menu" button at the upper left to turn on the reader. While using the reader, the Menu button brings up appropriate menu items for what you're doing: reading a book, setting prefs, etc. This is where you access the mark-up tool, and also see remaining battery life.

Next over is the "Shortcut" button. You set your preference for what action you'd like that button to take. I use it to put the reader to sleep, but there are plenty of other choices.

The next button, "Bookshelf," displays the books currently stored on the CF card.

Brightness and Contrast rollers are located along the right side, toward the top. The page rocket is along the right side in the middle.

GemStar took down its server for the online bookshelf, so the internal modem and the Ethernet connection aren't any use (unless someone writes custom software that will let the reader function as a Web browser, or talk to a PC/Mac in order to transfer files).

Adding titles to the CF is easy: remove the CF from the reader, plug it into a card reader attached to a PC, drag .IMP file(s) into the CF's root directory (not inside the folder on the card), put the card back into the REB 1200, and wait a minute while the REB 1200 preps the file(s). You're good to go. A new CF needs to be formatted in the reader; Chromakinetics (see above) has explicit instructions.

Publishing software (for Macs and PCs) is available that will let you create your own content. Visit http://www.gemstar-ebook.com/ebcontent/supt/pubtools.asp and scroll down to the bottom for the download. This server is supposed to come down in July 2006, so do it now or check at the Chromakinetics site (see above).

While in operation, you can switch the type from a large font to a small one (although I haven't seen anyplace where you can change the typeface by downloading one from your computer, as you can the REB 1100). You'd be surprised how much difference this makes to tired -- or aging -- eyes!

The level of backlighting helps here, too, although the brighter you go, the quicker the battery depletes. At the most reasonable (for me) compromise of brightness and battery usage, I can get roughly 7 hours reading time.

The battery is inside a compartment in the "spine" of the book. My book arrived from the seller with about a 60% charge in one battery, and 70% in the other; it took a couple of hours each to bring them up to 100%. Replacement/additional batteries are still available (as of 05/11/2006) from Fox International Electronics (http://estore.fox-international.com/electronics_.asp?groupid=263&page=2) for $80.

My only complaints about the REB 1200: (1) It's a little on the heavy side. (2) The size and the weight mean that you really need 2 hands to use it, unlike the smaller REB 1100. (3) The screen has to be viewed pretty much straight on; any other angle and it's unreadable. You won't be laying this device flat on the table to read while eating or typing; bookstand required. For these reasons, I give it 4 stars instead of 5.

The REB 1200 is available only secondhand, so it's off to eBay or another auction site. Recently, this device has sold for as much as $450 on eBay (I got mine for about half that). How much it's worth to you depends on how badly you want it. If all you read are mass-market novels found on the bestseller list and in airports, you won't be happy unless someone figures out a way to convert DRM'ed MobiPocket or .LIT files into .IMP (which would probably break the law anyway). If you're interested in the sort of stuff available at Fictionwise (.IMP format, not free), or Project Gutenberg (HTML or text, free) or Baen Books (.HTML, .RTF, .RB, .PDF, not free, but no DRM and very reasonably priced) (and you're willing to do a little work to convert the files into .IMP), or you want to get your own files on board, you'll be satisfied with the reading experience.

(Portions of this review appear in my blog.)

Company may be Obsolete, but.........2004-04-07

The company may be obsolete but if you can buy this used, I suggest you do. Ebooks are not hard to find if you know your way around the internet. Or if you are familiar with mIRC. Just because the company doesnt make them anymore doesnt mean they wont work. Just get a copy of rocket librarian and you are all set. It really is worth it.

This product is obsolete.......2003-11-10

Don't buy it. Gemstar went out of business and material cannot be purchased.

Great!, but............2003-10-25

Saw it in Staples and bought it for $100. It seemed to be the answer to my dreams, a portable thing to read text on. It feels great, works fine, lasts a long while on a charge, is just good execution of an idea.
But what is needed, the ONLY thing that is needed, is a utility to convert .txt, .doc, and .pdf files into a form that this RCA1200 can read. Otherwise this is just the best thing simce sex, for congenital readers like me. Hack away, freaks, building the utility I spoke of will surely grant you some place of reverence in the Divine Database, and give this great product a wider life and application.

extinct device.......2003-09-20

I own the REB 1200. The Gemstar ebook sites are no longer operating and it seems one can no longer buy content for the device. Shouldn't Amazon consider providing the disclaimer regarding the device's functional obsolescence?

Electronics:

Electronics

Electronics