PDB to RB Converter

Convert PDB to RB — ebook conversion online

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Fast Processing

Speed is a priority — typical PDB to RB conversions finish in just a few seconds, regardless of your connection speed.

Data Protection Built In

Source PDB files and resulting RB files are both deleted from servers — uploads immediately, outputs within 24 hours.

Nothing to Install

The PDB to RB converter runs in your web browser. No plugins, extensions, or desktop applications needed — just open and use.

How to convert PDB to RB

Select files from Computer, Google Drive, Dropbox, URL or by dragging it on the page.

Choose rb or any other format you need as a result (more than 200 formats supported)

Let the file convert and you can download your rb file right afterwards

About formats

PDB (Palm Database) is a generic database container format created by Palm, Inc. for the Palm OS platform, first appearing with the original PalmPilot in March 1996. In the ebook context, PDB files most commonly use the PalmDOC or Plucker encoding to store readable text with basic formatting. The format consists of a 78-byte header identifying the database name, creation date, and record count, followed by a record index table and the data records themselves. PalmDOC-encoded PDB files use a simple LZ77-based compression scheme to pack plain text efficiently, while Plucker extends this with HTML rendering, image support, and hyperlink navigation. PDB ebooks powered a thriving mobile reading ecosystem years before dedicated e-readers existed — millions of Palm OS users carried entire libraries on devices like the Palm V, Tungsten, and Treo handhelds. A primary advantage is extreme simplicity: the flat record structure and minimal overhead mean PDB files parse instantly even on severely constrained hardware with limited memory and processing power. The open, well-documented structure is another strength, having spawned numerous reader applications across Palm OS, Windows, and later mobile platforms. Though the Palm platform is long discontinued, PDB ebooks remain accessible through conversion tools and readers like Calibre, and the format holds historical significance as one of the earliest practical mobile ebook solutions.

Developer: Palm, Inc.

Initial release: March 1996

RB is the native ebook format of the Rocket eBook, one of the first commercially available dedicated e-reading devices, developed by NuvoMedia and released in October 1998. Founded by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning — who later co-founded Tesla Motors — NuvoMedia designed the Rocket eBook as a handheld device with a reflective LCD screen, capable of storing approximately ten books in its internal memory. The RB format packages HTML-based content along with embedded images, metadata, and a table of contents into a single binary container optimized for the device's limited hardware. Content was purchased and downloaded through NuvoMedia's RocketLibrarian desktop software. A notable advantage of the format was its early support for bookmarking, annotation, dictionary lookups, and adjustable font sizing — features now standard on modern e-readers but revolutionary in the late 1990s. The Rocket eBook demonstrated viable commercial demand for dedicated reading devices, paving the way for subsequent platforms from Sony, Amazon, and others. NuvoMedia was acquired by Gemstar-TV Guide International in 2000, which discontinued the device line in 2003. While RB files are largely a historical curiosity today, they can be converted to modern formats using ebook management tools, and the format remains significant as a pioneering chapter in the evolution of digital reading.

Developer: NuvoMedia

Initial release: 1998

Frequently Asked Questions

Why convert PDB to RB?

RB provides legacy ebook format — converting PDB ebooks to a modern format makes them readable on current devices and apps.

What apps read RB files?

You can open RB files with Calibre, legacy Rocket eBook devices. Most platforms have at least one compatible option available.

Does the conversion preserve page layout?

Visual structure is preserved where possible. The RB format adapts content flow for optimal reading on devices.

Is batch conversion to RB available?

Yes — upload several PDB files and convert them all to RB simultaneously, producing individual ebooks from each file.

Can I read the RB file on my e-reader?

The RB format is compatible with popular e-readers. Load the file onto your device or use a reading application.

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PDB to MOBI

PDB to DOC

PDB to JPG

PDB to SVG

PDB to DOCX

PDB to TXT

PDB to FB2

PDB to GIF

PDB to XLS

PDB to PNG

PDB to RTF

PDB to CSV

PDB to XLSX

PDB to JPEG

PDB to DXF

PDB to PPT

PDB to PPTX

PDB to ODT

PDB to HTML

PDB to AI

PDB to PS

PDB to TIFF

PDB to PLT

PDB to AZW3

PDB to WBMP

PDB to BMP

PDB to WEBP

PDB to DDS

PDB to SNB

PDB to DOCM

PDB to PSD

PDB to JP2

PDB to LRF

PDB to PBM

PDB to RB

PDB to TCR

PDB to TGA

PDB to PCX

PDB to ICO

PDB to CUR

PDB to PGM

PDB to PPM

PDB to EXR

PDB to FAX

PDB to FTS

PDB to G3

PDB to HDR

PDB to HRZ

PDB to IPL

PDB to MAP

PDB to MNG

PDB to MTV

PDB to OTB

PDB to PAL

PDB to PALM

PDB to PAM

PDB to PCD

PDB to PCT

Specific converters

PDF to RB

DOCX to RB

TXT to RB

JPG to RB

EPUB to RB

HTML to RB

PNG to RB

DOC to RB

FB2 to RB

JPEG to RB

PPTX to RB

XLSX to RB

WEBP to RB

MOBI to RB

RTF to RB

AVIF to RB

PPT to RB

ODT to RB

DJVU to RB

PPS to RB

DXF to RB

SVG to RB

GIF to RB

ICO to RB

PSD to RB

XPS to RB

SNB to RB

XLS to RB

PPSX to RB

AZW3 to RB