IMP

From MobileRead

IMP is an intermediate file format used to store eBook content for several eBook Readers, most notably the eBookwise-1150 and the REB 1200. These devices are end user names for products called the ETI-2 and ETI-1 respectively from ETI. Earlier devices similar to these can also use IMP files if they have the latest firmware upgrades.

[edit] IMP Device Support

The IMP file is predefined for a given device and is only intended for devices that have the same screen resolution and color content.

There are two IMP file variants (Color VGA & Grayscale Half-VGA), used on the following devices, respectively:

• The ETI 1 (or REB 1200) device is a 480x640 (FullVGA) 16 bit (65,536) color LCD touch screen device.
• The ETI 2 (or EBookwise-1150) device is a 320x480 (HalfVGA) 4 bit (16 level) grayscale LCD touch screen device.

Files for either device can be compiled from the same source files using the ETI supplied eBook Publisher software.

IMP files created for the EBookwise-1150 can be loaded and viewed on the REB 1200, but will not expand to the latter's greater screen size. The reverse does not hold true as the right edge and bottom of the page will be chopped off.

A non-device specific format is also available. It has a OEB extension. These files can be converted later to device specific files.

The IMP file is not used directly by the devices mentioned above instead the firmware in the device detects the presence of an IMP file and converts it to a folder structure that is the form (.res) that is actually used by the device to display the eBook contents. However there are programs for Macs and Windows computers that can read an IMP file directly and are intended primarily to be used to verify file creation or conversion but can be used to read an eBook on these platforms.

A software program like GEB Librarian is required to transfer your own content, in .IMP format, to the eBook reader i.e. eBookwise-1150 or REB 1200. However, another way to transfer IMP files is an indirect method by using a card reader. Take the expanded memory** (SM or CF as appropriate) and place it in a card reader on your computer and move the files to the root of the card. Place the card back in your unit and the first time you turn it on the unit itself will convert the files and then remove the IMP file.

**IMPORTANT NOTICE ESPECIALLY FOR THE eBookwise-1150:
  TURN OFF YOUR EBOOK DEVICE before you remove the memory card from your eBook reader/device.
  Then for the 1150 it's recommended to cycle your reader 'on-off' without the memory card
      i.e. TURN ON YOUR EBOOK DEVICE, then TURN OFF YOUR EBOOK DEVICE.
  After copying to the memory card, ensure YOUR EBOOK DEVICE IS TURNED OFF,
  then insert the memory card into your eBook reader.
  Then TURN ON YOUR EBOOK DEVICE.
      Never insert or remove memory cards when the eBook reading device is turned on.
      Doing so may destroy the memory card and/or your eBook reading device!

[edit] Technical Specs on the IMP file format

A very detailed explanation of the IMP file format can be found here. It was reverse engineered by Jeffrey Kraus-yao back in 2002.

[edit] IMP compatible devices and software

• REB 1200, ETI-1, GEB 2150 - devices, GEB and REB may need upgrade firmware from the ETI site. (Color Full VGA devices)
• eBookwise-1150, ETI-2, GEB 1150 - devices, GEB may need upgrade firmware from the ETI site. (Grayscale Half VGA devices)

• eBook Publisher from ETI - software, mac and windows (includes viewer)
• Book Designer - software, windows (includes viewer)
• GEB Librarian - software, windows (includes viewer)
• Mobi2imp - software, windows and perl script for mac/linux-like systems