Authorising PRS-T1 with Adobe DE &/or Reader for PC - does it matter which ?

[ColBla]

Newbie here folks so please be gentle ! Words below are a bit long-winded but I'm trying to give as much info as I can.

I have just bought a new PRS-T1 and am not sure if I've set up the software correctly, so grateful for any hints. I have:

1. Downloaded Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) on my PC.

2. Obtained an Adobe ID & authorised the PC.

3. Connected the PRS-T1 via USB, selected "data transfer" on the Reader, and opened ADE.

4. At this point, something seems to go wrong. The ADE Help Page says I should get an automatic dialogue inviting me to authorise the Reader, but I don't get that nor is there any way to open it manually. Adobe tech support say I should get a dialogue if I use Ctrl-shift-E, but that does nothing. I still get a blank ADE window. So I cannot authorise the Reader via ADE. I have a support case running with them about why ADE is behaving like that.

5. At this point I wondered about the Sony proprietary "Reader for PC" (R4PC) software, so I back-loaded that from the Reader and installed it, including a Reader software update.

6. R4PC recognised that the PC was already authorised, and - wonderful ! - invited me to authorise the Reader, so I did that. The Reader now shows "Authorised for DRM" in the relevant "about" screen.

7. I've proved the DRM seems to be working OK by downloading a couple of books from my local library. R4PC handled all that without (as far as I can see) ADE playing any part in it - although my library insisted I had to have ADE installed

8. But when I go back to ADE, still nothing happens. It's like ADE simply doesn't recognise there's a Reader plugged in, it's just a piece of dead software. I've tried various options of opening ADE before and after I've connected/strarted the Reader, but it's just blank. I have added the library books to it, but can't move them to the Reader because ADE doesn't think the Reader exists.

It looks as if there's some kind of glitch between ADE & the PRS-T1 which stops ADE working properly. Not sure whether that's by accident on my setup or maybe deliberately by Sony to force you to use R4PC. My questions revolve around "Does it matter if ADE doesn't recognise the Reader ?". Is there a difference between authorising the Reader via ADE or R4PC ? If so, are there any circumstances in which this might be a problem ? If not, can I uninstall ADE without affecting any functionality ?

Thanks in advance.

[a_j_w_h]

If it's any consolation, I'm in EXACTLY the same state.

My PRS-T1 is recognised by R4PC ( basic and updated), calibre and Overdrive, but not ADE....

I haven't got round to downloading any DRM books yet, so I'm hoping someone comes up with a fix - or reassures me...

Andrew

[ColBla]

Well now, here's some interesting news. I mentioned in my original post I had raised a support issue with Adobe - I've just had a response which I'll paste in verbatim:

Colin, I would like to inform you that Sony PRS T1 is not compatible with Adobe  Digital Editions. It can not be authorized with Adobe Digital Editions directly.  We have been facing most of the issues from customer where they are facing  connectivity/authorization issues with PRS T1 and couple of customers confirmed  that it is not compatible with Adobe Digital Editions because when they called  up Sony Support they have come to know this information.

Using Reader  for PC is the solution to the problem.

Have a  nice day!

So, for anyone else struggling with ADE who manages to find this post - you're not doing anything wrong, it's just not going to work ! Titles with DRM must be managed through Sony's "Reader for PC" software (which I strongly suspect is simply a customised version of ADE anyway).

[a_j_w_h]

So the fact that the PRS-T1 is on the Adobe approved list doesn't mean anything.......

[ColBla]

Update: response from Sony tech support:

"I can confirm ADE is compatible with your e-reader, it is not software we  support, but it does work correctly with the e-reader."

Which neatly ignores the fact that in my case (and at least the other poster to this thread) that statement is demonstrably untrue. So the customer is caught in the middle, with both Sony and Adobe denying any responsibility. I've asked the two of them to liaise, but I'm not holding my breath.

[a_j_w_h]

From the ADE help page list of supported readers.....

Sony Electronics Inc.	PRS-900 Reader Daily Edition	Dedicated reading device with 3G wireless
Sony Electronics Inc.	PRS-500	Dedicated reading device, tethered
Sony Electronics Inc.	PRS-T1	Digital Reader device with WiFi
Sony Electronics Inc.	Reader App	Reader application for Android
Sony Electronics Inc.	Sony Reader Daily edition PRS-950	Dedicated Reading Device

I know I can be a bit stupid , but the PRS-T1 is there.......

[ColBla]

OK then, after a few exchanges with Sony Customer Support I have now had a retraction of their previous statement to me:

"Please accept my apologies for any confusion caused by my colleague in the  previous e-mail.

I have taken this matter up with a colleague of mine in  the technical department and can confirm that the Adobe Digital Editions is not  compatible. I can understand that this must have been frustrating going back and  forwards between us here at Sony and Adobe to try and get an definitive answer.  I hope this clears up this matter for you."

So I now have both Adobe & Sony stating the PRS-T1 is not compatible with ADE. Frankly, I'm a bit gobsmacked - I can only assume Sony have built something into this latest Reader to force you to use their own software for a reason that isn't particularly clear at present.

The only remaining action is that Adobe should remove the PRS-T1 from their list of compatible devices. I've suggested that to both companies, it'll be interesting to see whether they do so.

For now, I'm not missing ADE. Haven't bought any books yet, but I can read DRM-protected content borrowed from my local library both using R4PC and directly to the Reader using wi-fi, plus DRM-free stuff from Gutenberg. If anyone can suggest something for which ADE is essential and R4PC won't do it, I'd be grateful - if I find anything like that, the device is going back citing misleading advertising.

Cheers & happy reading !

[sehuxle]

Does R4PC allow you to authorise your reader without ADE being present. If you already have an ADE ID can it be entered into the Sony software.

[ColBla]

Yes, as I said it all works fine using R4PC.

Incidentally, I don't think there is such a thing as an "ADE ID". What you need is an Adobe ID from the Adobe website. Once you have this, you can authorise both your PC and the Reader using R4PC - my experience is that you don't need ADE at all. I only installed it because my local library insisted on it, but as I've painfully discovered it doesn't work with this latest model Reader and is not needed because R4PC seems to do everything ADE does.

[sehuxle]

I ask as prior to R4PC sony used different reader software that did not have an option to enter your Adobe ID. So you had to us ADE.

Ive had a Sony reader for over 2years now and have always needed ADE