[Dtb-talk] Call for proposed DAISY playback devices

[Greg Kearney]

The Association for the Blind of Western Australia would like to ask  
for player options from any vendors of DAISY playback device. The  
specifications are as follows:

Ability to play back DAISY 2.02 and DAISY/NISO z3986 audio and full  
text/full audio books. While it does not need to support digital  
rights management for our need you may wish to support NLS and other  
schemes to make the player more sellable in other markets.
Flash based media in the following formats: standard USB, SD Card  
support for NLS style cartridges would be a plus. We are not  
supporting or using CD based media.
Built in speaker able to play back sound to fill a normal room
Volume and speed control
Standard headphone jack
Simple clear controls on a contrasting background suitable for use by  
elderly blind and the very young.
Support for levels, page and phase navigation as well as fast forward  
and reverse.
Support for book information and simple bookmarking.
Support for multiple books on a single drive.
Switched multi-voltage power supply. (can be an external supply.)
Built in rechargeable and replaceable battery.

While it would be nice if it could support daisy text only with text  
to speech this is not a critical issue for us.

Final price should be under A$300 (Australian) if possible. We would  
welcome any suggestions or submissions. Thanks you for your help.

Gregory Kearney
Manager - Accessible Media
Association for the Blind of Western Australia
61 Kitchener Avenue, PO Box 101
Victoria Park 6979, WA Australia

Telephone: +61 (08) 9311 8202
Telephone: +1 (307) 224-4022 (North America)
Fax: +61 (08) 9361 8696
Toll free: 1800 658 388 (Australia only)
Email: gkearney at gmail.com