Choosing an MP3, DAISY CD or USB stick player



Choosing an audio reading device

Introduction

As technology advances every day, accessing and reading books has never been easier. There are plenty of options available, from portable and desktop players to apps and downloads.

Choosing a device is dependent on which format you need. Although it isn’t important to understand the technical differences between DAISY CDs and apps, you need to ensure that the audiobook you want to listen to can be played on the device you choose. If you prefer using apps and downloading books, for example, then you need to ensure that you have a device that will let you play them. We hope this factsheet will make things a bit clearer.

Our Online Shop has reading devices such as MP3, DAISY CD and USB stick players. Visit shop..uk.

If you’re interested in talking books, RNIB’s Talking Books service is free to anyone who is unable to read regular print. They are produced on DAISY CD, USB stick or as a digital download through our Overdrive app.

For more information or advice on reading devices, give us a call on 0303 123 9999 or email helpline@.uk.

MP3 CD, DAISY CD and USB stick players

MP3 CD Player

The most common digital file for audio is called MP3. An MP3 CD can fit over 15 hours of material compared to just 80 minutes on a standard audio CD. This is great for audiobooks because you can fit one book on one MP3 CD rather than multiple CDs - an average book would take up 12 standard CDs.

MP3 CDs can be played on a range of devices. However not all CD players will accept MP3 CDs, so it’s important to check before you buy. You may already have equipment at home that can play MP3 CDs; there may be a label on the player or the box.

If you’re unsure, we can send you a sample Talking Book to try out on your CD player at home to check if it will play. Call our Helpline to request a test CD.

In addition to MP3 CDs, DAISY CDs can also be played on any MP3 CD player. You won't be able to use the bookmark feature or have as much control navigating the book, but MP3 CD players are much more affordable than DAISY players.

DAISY CD player

A DAISY CD contains MP3 tracks but has additional features which make the CD easier to use. They are designed for reading with features that are especially useful for long or complex audio titles such as long novels, cookery books, dictionaries or newspapers. DAISY CDs can be played on any CD player which can play MP3 CDs.

As standard, a DAISY CD includes a marker at the start and the end. Depending on how the book has been produced you have the ability to move by page to the right chapter, section and subsection in the book. You can also set bookmarks within titles for easy navigation. If you need to take a break from reading, change the CD or eject the CD, it will restart exactly where you left off. By pressing a button on the DAISY player, you can find out the title or hear other useful information, like how much time is left before the end of the book.

DAISY players are available in desktop and portable versions. They have tactile buttons and functions such as fast forwarding, rewinding, play/stop, volume, speed, pitch and bookshelf are all included as standard on these machines. The speed of the speech and pitch can be changed to suit you.

Desktop DAISY players are designed to sit in your home and are powered by mains power or a rechargeable battery, so you can be flexible with where it’s positioned in your home. However transferring the machine from location to location, especially for travel, could prove difficult as it’s a bulky device.

Desktop players can use DAISY, MP3 and standard CD formats, in addition to memory cards and USB sticks as a form of media.

Portable DAISY players are designed to be lightweight so that they can be carried with you wherever you go. They are powered by mains power or a rechargeable battery which is particularly useful when out and about.

Portable DAISY players use memory cards and USB sticks as a form of media.

If you would like to try a DAISY CD, we can send you a sample Talking Book to try out. Call our Helpline to request a test CD.

USB stick player

A USB stick is a data storage device that can be used to store books as MP3 files. They can be played on a computer using your existing media software, DAISY CD player or alternative CD players.

USB stick players have large yellow tactile buttons for fast forward, rewind, play/stop and bookshelf. The volume can be adjusted by turning the dial on the front of the machine, which is also used to turn the device on and off.

These players are quite cheap, easy to use and hold a lot more data than a CD, making your books portable. You can either plug the device in to a mains power or use a rechargeable battery.

If you’re not sure whether USB is right for you we can send you a sample USB stick from our Talking Books service to try out on your chosen player at home. Call the Helpline for more information.

Which type of player is best for me?

The choice is mainly down to how you like to read, what sort of books you prefer and your budget.

Consider an MP3 CD player if:

• You don’t listen to many books in a month or just stick to novels and music

• You’re on a budget – MP3 CD players can be as cheap as £30 whereas DAISY players start at around £250

• You want more choice – there are many more MP3 CD players out there to choose from compared to DAISY players

• You’d benefit from having a radio too – most DAISY players don’t have radios but many MP3 CD players do

Consider a DAISY player if:

• You like your non-fiction, reference books or epic novels – the added controls on a DAISY player make it easier to read more complicated material; reading an encyclopaedia on an MP3 CD player would be very difficult in comparison

• You’re reading a few books at a time – DAISY CD players can remember where you left off and also store bookmarks for several titles simultaneously. A few more expensive MP3 CD players can do this too but in a much more basic way.

• You want a bit more control – DAISY CD players have been designed with blind and partially sighted people in mind, with speech enabled buttons and menus, large print labels and easy to use controls

Consider a USB player if:

• You don’t listen to many books in a month or just stick to novels

• You’re on a budget – USB stick players can be as cheap as £30 whereas DAISY players start at around £250

What to look for in a player

Whether it’s a DAISY, MP3 CD or USB stick player, here are some things to consider when making your choice:

• Buttons – are they arranged in an easy-to-use way, eg is it obvious which is the play button and which is the off button?

• Memory – can the player save bookmarks and remember your place?

• Headphones – does it have a headphone socket?

• Speakers – some smaller players don’t have speakers – is this important to you?

• USB or SD drive sockets – many modern MP3 CD and DAISY players are also compatible with USB sticks and SD drives, so you could get one machine that would give you multiple options

• Display – does the player have a display? Is it easy to see and use?

• Speech – DAISY players have buttons and menus with speech. Do you like the voice used? Is this a feature that would help you?

• Useful features – some players have other useful features like sleep timers and alarm clocks

• Remote control – some players have a remote control with basic functions like play, pause and volume. This can make using the player a lot easier.

• Portability – does the player take batteries or does it have to be plugged in? Is it heavy or difficult to handle?

For more information on players that are available, call our Helpline to request our factsheet “List of MP3 and DAISY CD players”.

Adapting your player

Once you have chosen your player you might find it useful to adapt it to your needs. Here are some simple ideas:

• Bumpons – these raised bumps are supplied on self-adhesive sheets and available in a range of sizes, shapes and colours for marking important controls like the on/off switch (available from RNIB)

• Use large print or braille labels – to make the controls clearer

• Big button remote control – if your player uses a remote control you could replace it with an accessible “big button” one (available from RNIB).

Apps and Downloads

If you want to access audiobooks through your computer, smartphone or MP3 player, an app or download is the best option.

There are plenty of apps to choose from, including RNIB Overdrive and Amazon’s Audible. Both of these apps are available on portable devices, including smartphones and tablets, so you can listen to your books whilst out and about.

Where do I get books from?

When you first access an audiobook app, you will need to create an online account before accessing it or making a purchase. Some websites will let you sample part of a book before deciding whether or not to download the whole book.

You will probably come across the term DRM (digital rights management). DRM is encryption that restricts how you can use downloaded audiobooks. It is designed to stop people from unlawfully copying them and to limit the devices you can play them on.

There are plenty of apps available; below we have included popular options.

RNIB Talking Books uses the Overdrive app, which can be downloaded onto your Windows PC, smartphone or tablet. RNIB Overdrive allows you to choose from thousands of books which can be downloaded or transferred to your chosen device at a time that suits you. You can then listen to your audiobook anywhere. Visit .uk/overdrive for more information.

Audible is an audiobook service by Amazon which can be downloaded onto your smartphone or tablet. There are various memberships and price plans available. The app has an easy-to-use interface which allows you to read the latest professionally narrated books as and when they become available. Visit audible.co.uk for more information.

Kindle books can be accessed from your smartphone or tablet. The Ebooks can be downloaded and installed through the Kindle app which is available on all platforms. Voiceover or Talkback will read your books as you go along. Visit amazon.co.uk for more information.

iBooks is an iOS app which can be used on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Mac. You can buy your books from the iBooks store and access them right from within the app. Visit uk/ibooks for more information.

Voice Dream Reader has a very simple to use interface and allows you to choose from various voices. You can pause, rewind and change speed. The app also gives you the option to read large text whilst listening to the book. Documents and books can be loaded from other apps, including Dropbox. Visit .

RNIB In Your Pocket

If you’re not familiar with smartphones, tablets or the apps that go on them, another option is RNIB In Your Pocket.

This adapted Samsung media player can either be kept in a pocket, a bag or round your neck. It costs £20 a month for a 24 month contract and is designed to play RNIB Newsagent publications, RNIB Talking Books and others, such as the BBC or Project Gutenburg.

RNIB In Your Pocket is a voice-input device which solely responds to your voice, bringing you information on demand, as and when you need it. This is a perfect solution for easy reading on the go using the 3GB of included data allowance, or at home when connected to wifi. Simply speak to RNIB In Your Pocket and it will present you with all the information you require with one press of a button.

For further detailed information on the In Your Pocket device and how it can assist you with reading, please visit our Online Shop.

Further information

Online Today

If you’d like to get help with using technology – from navigating with a smartphone, sending emails on the go and more – RNIB’s Technology Support Squad can support you. Come to a local Online Today event to help build your confidence and skills with smartphones, tablets and e-readers.

To find out more, call our Helpline, email onlinetoday@.uk or visit .uk/online-today.

Technology for Life

For further information on downloading, accessing and reading books or other publications or if you have questions about what other assistive technology is out there to support you, call our Technology for Life Team. Call 0303 123 9999 or email tfl@.uk.

RNIB Helpline

Whether you want to know more about your eye condition, buy a product from our shop, join our library, find out about possible benefit entitlements, be put in touch with a trained counsellor, or make a general enquiry about living with sight loss, we’re only a call away.

Call 0303 123 9999 or email helpline@.uk. We are ready to answer your call Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm.

Last updated September 2017.

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