RCA Gemstar eBook REB1100 User Manual
User's Guide
Version 1.0
RCA
REB 1100
Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
10330 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46290
©1995-2000. All Rights Reserved.
Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
NuvoMedia, Inc.
eBook technology licensed from Gemstar. "Gemstar eBook" and the eBook logo are trademarks of Gemstar.
"Gemstar" and the Gemstar logo are registered trademarks of Gemstar. SMART MEDIA is a registered trademark of
Legato Systems, Inc.
Table of Contents
Note: The material in this manual is subject to change without notice.
About This Product
Safety Instructions
What You Get
What You Need
Quick Tour
Getting Started
The eBook Screen
Reading an eBook Edition™
Choosing an Edition
Moving Within an Edition
Viewing Images and Playing Sound Clips
Getting More Editions
Getting Comfortable
Reorienting the Page View
Setting the Shortcut Icon
Lighting the Screen
Choosing Fonts and Font Sizes
Adjusting Contrast on the Screen
Using Reference Features
Marking Places With Bookmarks
Underlining Text
Adding Notes
Searching for Specific Text
Looking Up Words in the Dictionary
Using the Optional SMART MEDIA™ Card
Smart Media Connector
Maintaining Your eBook
Maintaining the Touch Screen
Checking the Status of Memory and Battery
Charging the Battery
Freeing Up RCA eBook Memory
Appendix A: Entering Text
Using the On-Screen Keyboard
Writing With the Stylus
Other Information
Warranty
Canadian Warranty
License Agreement
FCC & Industry Canada Statements
About This Product
Safety Instructions
What You Get
What You Need
Safety Instructions
When using your RCA brand Gemstar eBook™, basic safety precautions should always be followed to reduce
the risk of fire, electric shock and injury to persons, including the following:
1. Do not use the eBook near water, for example, near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink or laundry tub,
in a wet basement or near a swimming pool.
2. Avoid using the eBook during an electrical storm. There may be a remote risk of electric shock from
lightning.
3. Use only the power cord and batteries indicated in this manual. Do not dispose of batteries in a fire.
They may explode. Check with local codes for possible special disposal instructions.
4. CAUTION - To reduce the risk of fire, use only No. 26 AWG or larger telecommunication line cord.
5. CAUTION - Do not remove the cover (or back). There are no user serviceable parts inside. Refer
servicing to qualified service personnel.
Your eBook is a compact, handheld electronic reading device. It has a unique high-resolution, backlit screen
that provides an optimal reading experience regardless of the available light. At just 18 ounces, the eBook goes
anywhere. It's your portable bookshelf.
How does it work? You can buy specially prepared electronic reading materials, called "eBook Editions™ ".
Look for the at online bookstores. The first thing you need to do before purchasing eBook Editions is to
register your eBook through the built-in modem. It is important you register your eBook because each eBook
Edition you buy is specially encoded so it can only be read on your specific eBook. The registration process
identifies you as the owner of your particular unit. The special encoding gives protection for both you and the
author's copyright, since it prevents copies of your Editions from being redistributed illegally. If you have not
already registered your eBook, refer to the registration setup in the Quick Start Guide. See
Modem Preferences
The modem also allows you to purchase eBook Editions without using a PC. Once your registration is
complete you can purchase eBook Editions through the eBook catalogs. After purchasing, simply download to
store them on your eBook. Because they are stored directly on your eBook, you can easily access the eBook
Editions at any time within the United States and Canada.
Your eBook has room to store multiple eBook Editions, and you can purchase an optional SMART
MEDIA™ card to increase the memory for additional storage space. If you have used all the memory and
want to download more eBook Editions,you can use a SMART MEDIA card with your Smart Media
connection. See for more details. You can even remove purchased
eBook Editions from your eBook and SMART MEDIA card without any problem, since you can always
download them again using the modem. You'll never have to buy the same eBook Edition twice!
for more details on using the modem.
You cannot play sound clips while using the modem.NOTE:
Using the Optional SMART MEDIA Card
Setting Your
What You Get
Your RCA brand Gemstar eBook package comes with the following items:
eBook with a stylus inserted in the side
USB cable
Telephone cable
Universal AC adapter
Slip case
Screen cleaning cloth
The eBook Librarian CD-ROM
Quick Start Guide
One eBook Edition, the eDictionary and "eBook User's Guide" (preloaded on the eBook and on the
eBook Librarian CD)
"eBook Librarian User's Guide" (on the eBook Librarian CD)
What You Need
You need an accessible analog phone jack to register your eBook using the modem.
Quick Tour
Getting Started
Turning Your eBook On and Off
Setting Your Modem Preferences
Setting the Date and Time
Setting Your Passcode
Using the Touch Screen
The eBook Screen
Bookshelf Icon
Book Icon
Page Orientation Icon
Shortcut Icon
Audio Icon
Getting Started
Turning Your eBook On and Off
The Power Button for your eBook is located on the edge of the device.
To turn on your eBook, press the Power Button and wait a few seconds. You'll see the screen light up
On:
and, after a few seconds, the eBook logo appears. If you've previously opened an eBook Edition, text appears
a few seconds later,starting at the same place where you left off.
If you are turning on your eBook for the first time, there may be a few seconds before the screen lights up. If
you are unable to turn on the power to your eBook, you probably need to recharge the battery. Although the
battery was fully charged when it was shipped, its natural discharge may require that you recharge it before you
can use the device. See if you need to charge it now.Charging the Battery
To turn off your eBook, press and hold the Power Button until the screen goes blank. The screen dims
Off:
and the unit shuts down. Note that your eBook turns off automatically if you don't use it for 10 minutes. If you
want, you can change the amount of time the unit is idle before shutting off. See Setting the Automatic Shutoff
Delay in the "eBook Librarian User's Guide" on the CD-ROM for more information.
Setting Your Modem Preferences
The modem preferences allow you to do such things as dial using a prefix, choose the dial tone and change the
area code from which you are dialing. To change your preferences:
1. Tap the icon.Bookshelf
2. Tap .Settings
3. Tap .Modem
4. Tap when you are finished and your preferences will be saved.Done
Setting the Date and Time
You can change the date and time on your eBook either through the device or the eBook Librarian. To change
the date and time through your eBook:
1. Tap the icon.Bookshelf
2. Tap .Settings
3. Tap .Date and Time
4. Tap in the field you want to change and then use the up and/or down arrows.
5. Tap when you are finished and your settings will be saved.Done
Setting Your Passcode
IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
If you want to protect your billing information when you purchase eBook Editions through the modem, you
must first set the passcode. If you do not set a passcode previous to making purchases, your billing information
will not be protected. To set your passcode:
1. Tap the icon.Bookshelf
2. Tap .Settings
3. Tap . Follow the on-screen instructions.Passcode
NOTE Change Passcode Forget
: If you forget your passcode, tap , then . Selecting this will
erase the billing information on the Order Form for security reasons.
Using the Touch Screen
The four usable screen icons and other screen controls (such as the ) are activated when
Page Navigation Bar
you press or tap them gently. You can use your finger or the stylus, stored in the side of the eBook, to activate
the touch screen. Do not use a pen or pencil, since that could damage the screen.
Try tapping an icon to display its menu. Tap it again to dismiss the menu. If you find that the touch screen isn't
responding properly, you should calibrate it. This is easy to do by tapping the bull's-eye from the
Orientation Calibrating the Touch Screen
icon. You can also see for more information.
Page
The eBook Screen
The eBook has the best available screen for reading text on a portable device. Its screen has a wide viewing
angle, user-adjustable contrast for various lighting conditions, and provides a backlight that illuminates the
screen for comfortable reading even in poorly lit areas.
The screen is also touch sensitive and provides four usable icon controls. These icons, along with the Page
Forward/Back buttons, provide access to everything you need while using your eBook.
Bookshelf Icon
The icon provides features that apply to your eBook. You can see the eBook Editions you have on
Bookshelf
your bookshelf, select one to read, or get information about your eBook device such as battery life and
available memory.
Book Icon
The icon presents tasks you would perform while reading a particular eBook Edition. You can annotate
Book
your eBook Edition by making notes, setting bookmarks or underlining text. You can also search for specific
text in the eBook Edition or look up words in the preloaded dictionary.
Page Orientation Icon
The icon lets you change the orientation of the page view, using the directional arrows. It
Page Orientation
also lets you calibrate your screen, using the bull's-eye. See for more information.
Shortcut Icon
The icon lets you set up a shortcut to one of the options from the or menu, or to
Shortcut Bookshelf Book
the Page Forward or Page Back option on the menu. The eBook logo in the menu tells you which
item will be selected when you tap the icon.
Shortcut
Shortcut
Calibrating the Touch Screen
Audio Icon
The icon may be available to use in conjunction with future audio features.Audio
Reading an eBook Edition
Choosing an eBook Edition
Selecting a Recently Read eBook Edition
Selecting Another eBook Edition
Selecting an eBook Edition From the Newsstand
Moving Within an eBook Edition
Changing the Direction of Page Buttons
Hyperlinks
Page Navigation Bar
Go To First Page
Go To Previous Location
Page Headers and Footers
Menu Links
Reference Features
Viewing Images and Playing Sound Clips
Panning Images
Playing Sound Clips
Getting More eBook Editions
Reading an eBook Edition on your eBook is simple. Four icons on the screen border bring the eBook features
to your fingertips.
Choosing an eBook Edition
An eBook Edition is the specially encoded electronic version of a text that you'll be reading on your eBook.
Two eBook Editions came preloaded on your eBook: the User's Guide and one other. You can purchase
additional eBook Editions as well. See for more information.Getting More eBook Editions
When you turn on your eBook, it automatically loads the eBook Edition you were reading last and sets the
display to the same page where you left off. If you deleted the last eBook Edition you read before turning off
your eBook, the next eBook Edition in the recently read menu is loaded when you turn it back on.
Selecting a Recently Read eBook Edition
Your eBook keeps track of the four eBook Editions you've read most recently. It does this to make them easy
to access:
1. Tap the icon.Bookshelf
The four eBook Editions you've read most recently are listed on the menu. The
current selection is identified with a check mark.
2. Tap the name of the eBook Edition you want to open.
The eBook opens automatically to the text where you left off.
Selecting Another eBook Edition
If the eBook Edition you want to read is not listed on the menu of most recent selections, it's still
Bookshelf
easy to access. To open any of your eBook Editions:
1. Tap the icon.Bookshelf
2. Tap .eBook Shelf
3. Tap .Books
A complete list of the eBook Editions currently loaded on your eBook is displayed.
NOTE
: If you have more eBook Editions than can fit in the window, you can scroll through
the list by tapping the up and down arrows on the screen, or by using the Page Back and
Page Forward buttons.
You can also use the Find button to bring up the Find in Bookshelf window. Enter an
eBook Edition's name to quickly locate it in your Bookshelf. See
for more information on your text entry options.
Text
4. Tap the name of the eBook Edition you want to read.
5. Tap to open the eBook Edition.Open
The eBook opens the eBook Edition to the first page if you've never read it before.
Otherwise, the eBook Edition automatically opens to the text where you left off when
you read it last.
Note that the first page of an eBook Edition is like the very first page of a printed book: it
usually contains information from the publisher about the book. You may need to page
forward several times to view the first page of actual text.
Selecting an eBook Edition From the Newsstand
Appendix A: Entering
Your feature stores any periodicals you have purchased. To open any of your periodicals:Newsstand
1. Tap the icon.Bookshelf
2. Tap .eBook Shelf
3. Tap .Newsstand
A complete list of the periodicals currently loaded on your eBook is displayed.
NOTE
: If you have more periodicals than can fit in the window, you can scroll through the
list by tapping the up and down arrows on the screen, or by using the Page Back and Page
Forward buttons.
You can also use the Find button to bring up the Find in Bookshelf window. Enter a
periodical's name to quickly locate it in your Newsstand. See
for more information on your text entry options.
4. Tap the name of the periodical you want to read.
5. Tap to open the periodical.Open
The eBook opens the periodical to the first page if you've never read it before.
Otherwise, the periodical automatically opens to the text where you left off when you
read it last.
Appendix A: Entering Text
Note that the first page of a periodical is like the very first page of a printed book: it usually
contains information from the publisher about the periodical. You may need to page
forward several times to view the first page of actual text.
Moving Within an eBook Edition
Typically, when you read a printed book, you move forward, reading one page at a time in order.
Occasionally, you may want to go back to the previous page. To move through an eBook Edition this way, you
use the Page Back and Page Forward buttons, located on the spine of the eBook.
You can also use a "silent reading" mode if you want to eliminate even the quiet click of the page buttons. To
do this, you can use the icon to perform the paging functions. See for more
Shortcut Setting the Shortcut Icon
information.
There are also times when you want to move through a book quickly, jumping from topic to topic rather than
going page by page. Your eBook has a number of features that allow you to move quickly to a specific
location.
Changing the Direction of Page Buttons
You have the ability to change the direction of the Page Back and Page Forward buttons. The default paging
direction for the top button is Page Forward and the bottom button is Page Back if you have the eBook in
portrait orientation. To change the direction of the buttons:
1. Tap the icon.Bookshelf
2. Tap .Settings
3. Depending which direction your page buttons are in, tap either or .Default Paging Reverse Paging
Hyperlinks
Some eBook Editions include hyperlinks that let you jump quickly between related information within the text,
just like links on a Web page. On an eBook, linked text is underlined. To jump to the link, simply tap the
underlined text. You cannot edit these hyperlinks in eBook Editions you've purchased. They must be in the
eBook Edition when you buy it.
Page Navigation Bar
Your eBook gives you a visual representation of where you are in your eBook Edition with the page navigation
bar. This is the thin bar that appears on the right edge of the screen when you read an eBook Edition. The
whole bar represents the entire eBook Edition. The dark part of the bar shows where you are with respect to
the whole text.
You can use the page navigation bar just like you use the thickness of a book to open to an approximate
location. You can also use the page navigation bar to find out how much of the text you have read. Note that
the percentage displayed is affected by the font and size you've selected, as well as by the page orientation.
This is because the amount of text that appears on an eBook page can change if you change these elements.
To move around the selected eBook Edition quickly using the page navigation bar:
1. Tap anywhere along the thin page navigation bar at the right edge of the screen.
A dark instruction banner with two page buttons appears. For example:
the page you're on currently.13%:
the page that corresponds to the place you tapped.Go To 48%:
NOTE:
If the instruction banner covers text you want to read, you can tap the arrow on
the banner to move it to the opposite edge of the page.
2. Use your finger or stylus to slide up and down along the thin bar.
The percentage in the button changes as you move along the bar.Go To
3. When the percentage is what you want, tap the button.Go To
Your eBook displays the text at the location you selected.
NOTE:
You can tap the button showing the current percentage if you want to stay where you are
now.
Go To First Page
You can jump to the first page of your eBook Edition easily:
1. Tap the icon.Book
2. Tap .Go To
3. Tap .First Page
The eBook displays the first page of your eBook Edition. If your eBook Edition
provides a hyperlinked Table of Contents, you can get to it easily from here.
Go To Previous Location
Once you jump to a page, you can easily return to your previous location.
1. Tap the icon.Book
2. Tap .Previous Location
The eBook displays the page you were viewing previously.
Page Headers and Footers
Some eBook Editions have page headers and footers. To view these:
1. Tap the icon.Book
2. Tap . The Header and Footer windows will appear. Header/Footer
If there are not Headers or Footers in an eBook Edition, the option will be greyed
out.
Menu Links
Some eBook Editions provide menu links that make it easy to jump to sections of the text readers often want
to reference. For example, menu links might be provided to let you quickly jump to the table of contents or the
index.
To see which menu links the eBook Edition you're reading provides:
1. Tap the icon.Book
2. Tap .Go To
The menu appears.Go To
If any menu links are provided, a separator appears on this menu and the menu links are
listed beneath it. You can tap one of the menu links to jump to its named location.
Reference Features
Your eBook also lets you mark up and search through your eBook Editions in a number of ways. You can also
use these features to jump quickly to the locations you've marked. See for more
Using Reference Features
information.
Viewing Images and Playing Sound Clips
The eBook lets you view large images and even has an audio output that allows you to listen to sound clips that
may be provided in certain eBook Editions.
Panning Images
If an illustration or diagram is larger than the screen, you can still view the entire image. Arrows appear along
the edges of the image that continue past the edge of the screen. You can tap the arrows to scroll the hidden
portion of the image into view. Alternatively, you can simply touch the image anywhere and drag on the screen
away from the arrows to bring the rest of it into view. When you are done viewing the illustration, use the Page
Back or Page Forward buttons to continue reading.
An example illustration is included below. If you are viewing this manual on an eBook, you can try using the
arrows to view the off-screen portion of the image.
Playing Sound Clips
If the eBook Edition you are reading includes a sound clip, you can play it by clicking on the link provided. To
hear the sound clip, use any standard set of headphones or earbuds. You can stop playing it simply by tapping
anywhere on the screen. In the example given below, the sound clip is identified by a speaker icon. If you are
reading this manual on your eBook, plug in a set of standard headphones or earbuds into the headphone jack
on your eBook and tap on the speaker icon to listen to the sound clip. (If you are reading this on a browser
that is set up for sound capability, you can also click on the speaker icon to play it.)
You cannot use the modem while playing sound clips.NOTE:
"Alice In Wonderland" excerpt
Getting More eBook Editions
You can add more eBook Editions to your personal library by buying them from the Catalog. You must
register your eBook in order to make purchases.
As an eBook owner, you will be able to get the books you want to read earlier, faster, and easier then virtually
any other source for mobile electronic reading material.
When you register using the modem, you will receive the latest Catalog free to your eBook Account. The
Catalog includes periodicals, newsletter and books which can be purchased and downloaded to your eBook.
The Catalog service will be organized by "themes" such as Mysteries, Thrillers or Science Fiction and within
each you'll find out about hot new best-selling titles and periodicals. The Catalog is updated regularly- new
releases are sent to you automatically whenever you connect your eBook with the modem. To view more
information about the Catalog and how to buy new eBook Editions:
1. Tap the icon.Bookshelf
2. Tap . eBook Shelf
3. Tap .Books
4. Select .Buying eBook Editions
5. Tap . There will be instructions on how the catalog works and how to purchase new eBook
To download the latest edition of the Catalog and any new eBook Editions you didn't download yet:
1. If you have not already done so, connect your eBook to an analog phone jack.
2. Tap the icon.Bookshelf
3. Tap .Online Bookshelf
4. Tap . Your eBook dials into your eBook Account.New
Open
Editions.
Your eBook will now display only your new eBook Editions.
5. Check the eBook Central™ box for the latest catalog. For other eBook Editions, check the appropriate
box next to the eBook Edition you want to download.
6. Tap .Download
You can also re-download eBook Editions you've already purchased from your eBook Account. To download
eBook Editions to your eBook:
1. Tap the icon.Bookshelf
2. Tap .Online Bookshelf
3. Tap . Your eBook dials into your eBook Account.All Titles
A list appears of all the eBook Editions you have purchased.
4. Select the eBook Edition(s) you want to download to your eBook and tap .Download
NOTE:
downloading.
The modem will automatically disconnect after your eBook Editions have finished
Getting Comfortable
Reorienting the Page View
Setting the Shortcut Icon
Lighting the Screen
Choosing Fonts and Font Sizes
Adjusting Contrast on the Screen
The eBook gives you a number of choices that help you make your reading experience more comfortable. For
example, you can set how large the text appears or how the pages are oriented. If the preselected choices
aren't right for you, you can simply change the settings. If you tap the wrong icon by mistake when changing
settings, simply tap it again to close its menu.
Reorienting the Page View
Your eBook can be used in any orientation. This means that no matter how you like to hold your eBook,you
can rotate the page on the screen to view the text comfortably.
To reorient the page:
1. Tap the icon.Page Orientation
Arrows appear on the screen pointing in all four directions.
The arrow pointing to the
top of the current page is light with a dark border. The other arrows are dark.
2. Tap the dark arrow that points to the side you want as the top of the page.
The page display changes to the orientation you've chosen.
Setting the Shortcut Icon
The icon gives you a shortcut for selecting a menu item that you use frequently. It also gives you away
Shortcut
to page through your text without using the page buttons, to enable a completely silent reading mode.
When you first use your eBook, the icon is programmed to change screen print size from small to
Shortcut
large or vice versa. The eBook logo in the selected menu identifies the function to which the shortcut is
currently assigned. You can reassign the icon to any of the other items that appear on the or
Bookshelf
menus, including eBook Editions, or to the silent paging functions.
Shortcut Book
To assign the icon:Shortcut
1. Bring up the menu that contains the function you want to assign to the shortcut icon.
You can choose either the icon or the iconBook Bookshelf
To enable the "silent reading mode," choose the icon.NOTE: Book
2. Tap the icon.Shortcut
The screen displays the Assigning Shortcut window and tells you to tap a menu item.
If you selected the icon, the Assigning Shortcut window also includes paging
Book
functions.
3. Tap the function you want the icon to perform.Shortcut
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