Model Railroader 75 Year DVD Collection question about pdfs & usage on Win 8 tablet.

SinCity Apr 14, 2013

  1. SinCity

    SinCity TrainBoard Member

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    Unable to find any answers to the following questions:1) Can it run on a Windows 8 (32 bit version) tablet that has a built-in SSD drive (64gb total) with 25gb free for full installation? 2) Can it run on a Windows 8 (32 bit version) tablet that has the built-in SSD drive (32gb total), but install it on a 32gb micro SD card that act as another drive? 3) Since they are scanned pdfs, can I load the pdfs into an iPad and read them file-by-file? Tks!
     
  2. SinCity

    SinCity TrainBoard Member

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    None of you model train enthusiasts have this collection?
     
  3. SteamDonkey74

    SteamDonkey74 TrainBoard Supporter

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    I don't have it, yet. I am waiting to see if the price comes down.
     
  4. railtwister

    railtwister TrainBoard Member

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    When the 75 Year collection was originally released, Kalmbach specifically stated that it could not be used on a tablet, but tablets may have changed since the DVD set was produced. The first hurdle will be getting it from the DVD to your tablet. Last time I checked was a while ago, but I think most tablets can't connect directly to a DVD drive, as most don't have the proper USB socket for a USB solid state storage device, or has this changed? Second issue would be the software to search and read the PDF files, which Kalmbach has been careful to copy-protect.

    Let us know what you find out.

    Bill in FtL
     
  5. SinCity

    SinCity TrainBoard Member

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    Here's what I found out: it could've easilly work on ANY tablet had Kalmbach not open-protected the pdfs. Each issue is it's own pdf file so if it wasn't protected, you can transfer it to your tablet and read it like it was intended to be read. In other words, you need a password to open each pdf if you are not using it as installed per Kalmbach. This is Kalmbach's way of protecting it's pdfs. While I am not a programmer, I suppose someone could "look" into the launcher program to seek the password.
     
  6. SinCity

    SinCity TrainBoard Member

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    The scans are not of highest quality. If we were able to use the pdfs in a tablet, it would be a little difficult to read if you filled the page to fit screen. I'm using a 25" 1920 x 1080 monitor and if I "fit" the page on the screen, the type is not clear on the older issues (pre 2000s that I have tried). The issues from the 2000s are vibrant and sharper.
     
  7. cbensi

    cbensi New Member

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    To use them on an iPad or other device try one of the following 4 passwords;

    B775tO11dQvu74
    mfU33QQNlAFGI1
    FG1386r8wRrH01
    PbS19LuXd2pTXw
     
  8. SinCity

    SinCity TrainBoard Member

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    :) Nice! I didn't even realize you replied to the post. I hope it helps iPad users.


    Anyway, Windows based tablets have matured to the point where it is now feasible to be used. It didn't really work on my Lenovo K3011 Atom-based Windows 8 tablet (it wouldn't rotate properly) and screen resolution not high enough (11.6" wide format 1368x768). I just picked up a Microsoft Surface Pro 3 that has a screen ratio like an iPad and not a widescreen format that you see nowadays. It works perfectly and the screen resolution is high like an iPad but with a 12" (2160x1440) "standard" screen size.

    The Surface Pro makes a pricey reader; but so is model railroading. ;)
     
  9. ddechamp71

    ddechamp71 TrainBoard Member

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    Yes I have it but I can't give that question a reply as I'm using it with a very classic Windows 7 equipped laptop computer...

    Dom
     

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