Books and Reading: Overdrive for E-readers: Formats Explained

What are the differences between eBook formats?     

An eBook is a digital book that can be read on a computer or mobile device.

Here are the different eBook formats that may be available to you when you borrow an eBook from your school or library.

OverDrive Read

• Read in your browser. No software or downloads are require to read OverDrive Read eBooks.

• Reading progress and bookmarks are stored in the cloud, so you can always pick up where you left off no matter what device you're on.

• Some eBooks automatically adjust to fit your screen, and others will have a fixed layout (set by the publisher) to better display graphic-heavy eBooks.

• Some eBooks (called OverDrive Read-along eBooks) have professional narration accompanying them.

• OverDrive Read has a lot of options to customize your reading experience.

• Learn more about getting started with OverDrive Read.

EPUB

• You can dowload and read EPUB eBooks using Adobe Digital Editions on a computer or OverDrive's app.

• There are two types of EPUB eBooks: Adobe EPUB and Open EPUB.

  • Open EPUB eBooks are compatible with more devices and apps because they don't require you to authorize your computer or app.

  • Learn more about downloading and reading Open EPUB eBooks.

  • Adobe EPUB eBooks require you to authorize your computer or device with an OverDrive account or Adobe ID before you read them.

  • Learn more about authorizing and reading Adobe EPUBs on your computer and reading Adobe EPUBs on your device (Android, Chromebook, iOS, Windows 8 and up, Windows Phone).
• EPUB eBooks will automatically adjust to fit your screen.

PDF

• You can download and read PDF titles using Adobe Digital Editions.

• There are two types of PDF titles: protected and Open PDFs.

  • Open PDF eBooks are compatible with more devices and applications than protected PDF eBooks.

  • Learn more about reading Open PDF eBooks.

  • Adobe PDF eBooks require you to authorize your computer with an OverDrive account or Adobe ID before you read them.

• PDFs have a static layout with set page breaks, so you can't adjust font size, and they don't automatically adjust to fit your screen. However, you can zooom in on a page or graphic.

• PDFs work well with graphic novels, illustrated eBooks, and other titles with specific formatting.

Kindle Books

• You can read Kindle Books on any Kindle device or Kindle reading app.

• Kindle Books are only available to borrow from U.S. libraries and schools.

• They work just like any other Kindle Book from Amazon, but they will expire at the end of your lending period like any library eBook.

• Learn how to borrow Kindle Books from your library.

MediaDo Reader

• Read in your browser. No software or downloads are required to read MediaDo Reader eBooks.

• Reading progress and bookmarks are saved in your current browser.

• These eBooks have a static layout with set page breaks, so you can zoom in and out of a page or graphic.

• MeidaDo Reader is designed to read graphic novels and content that reads right-to-left or top-to-bottom.

• Learn more about MediaDo Reader's features.

• Learn more about getting started with MediaDo Reader.      

Source: http://help.overdrive.com/customer/portal/articles/1482564