[Dtb-talk] converting Victor Reader Stream Note files

Rob Tabor rob.tabor at sbcglobal.net
Wed Feb 17 04:38:00 UTC 2010 

Good evening again.

Jim is right in saying it is not necessary to convert a VR Stream note file 
to play on the stream. I do not have the NLS player, but I am pleased to 
learn that the .3gp audio file will play on it as well. However, conversion 
to .wav format is necessary if one wishes to play a VRStream note file on a 
PC running Windows. As for a MacOs audio file conversion utility, I plead 
ignorance, not being a Mac user.
Best regards
Rob "RockChalk Jayhawk" Tabor
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "James Aldrich" <jajkaldrich at gmail.com>
To: "Discussion of Digital Talking Books" <dtb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 5:56 PM
Subject: Re: [Dtb-talk] converting Victor Reader Stream Note files


> Hello Grover and list,
>
> If you are playing the Stream's .3gp audio file format on an NLS player, 
> you need not convert the files.  The audio .3gp file format plays nicely 
> on the NLs player.  You can place those files in the root directory of a 
> thumb drive or cartridge I'm pretty certain is the case if the file is on 
> the media by itself.  If this audio file is included with other books, it 
> will need to be in a folder called audio+podcasts and read this letter by 
> letter. This is true whether we discuss .3gp, .mp3 or .wpa files or any 
> other file types the NLS player will work with.  Text files requiring a 
> TTS engine will not work.
>
> My wife was considering sending some recipes to a friend on an NLs 
> cartridge.  I told her she would need to record the recipe in her own 
> voice so it would play on the player.  I became curious so recorded two 
> note files which played beautifully on the advanced NLS player.  I could 
> navigate to each file with no problems. Those audio files I recorded were 
> the only files in the root of my thumb drive at the time.
>
> I haven't heard this discussed since I've been on this list so thought I'd 
> discuss my observations.  I'm certain this is old hat to you veterans to 
> this new technology.
>
> HTH and thanks for reading!
>
> Jim
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Grover Zinn" <grover.zinn at oberlin.edu>
> To: "Discussion of Digital Talking Books" <dtb-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 10:50 AM
> Subject: [Dtb-talk] converting Victor Reader Stream Note files
>
>
>> Mention of converting VR Stream note files leads me to ask a question:
>>
>> I use a Mac, which means I cannot use the companion software (unless I 
>> also run Windows on the Mac, which I would prefer not to do).
>>
>> Does anyone know of aMac  utility that will convert the notes files to 
>> MP3 files?  I've looked but had no luck
>>
>> Thanks in advance for any information.
>>
>> Grover Zinn
>>
>> Grover Zinn
>> Oberlin, OH 44074
>> grover.zinn at oberlin.edu
>>
>>
>>
>> On Feb 16, 2010, at 8:48 AM, Hyde, David W. (ESC) wrote:
>>
>>> I have not found much that really needs the companion software,  except 
>>> for converting note files to MP# files. Windows has the zip  and unzip 
>>> utility built in.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: dtb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:dtb-talk- bounces at nfbnet.org] 
>>> On Behalf Of Rob Tabor
>>> Sent: Monday, February 15, 2010 10:15 PM
>>> To: Discussion of Digital Talking Books
>>> Subject: Re: [Dtb-talk] NLS Digital Players
>>>
>>> I have the HumanWare companion package and don't remember seeing a  zip 
>>> or unzip feature. This is news to me. Where do you find these  features?
>>> Just curious
>>> Rob "RockChalk Jayhawk" Tabor
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Lynn Evans" <evans-lynn at comcast.net>
>>> To: "Discussion of Digital Talking Books" <dtb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Monday, February 15, 2010 9:13 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [Dtb-talk] NLS Digital Players
>>>
>>>
>>>> I use the HumanWare companion software to unzip and transfer my books
>>>> to flash drives and cartridges.
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: "Greg Kearney" <gkearney at gmail.com>
>>>> To: "Discussion of Digital Talking Books" <dtb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Monday, February 15, 2010 5:55 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [Dtb-talk] NLS Digital Players
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Yes we are using them in Western Australia on the east coast they  use
>>>>> CDs.
>>>>>
>>>>> We have found that we can use small USB SD card readers and plug
>>>>> VictorReader Stream SD cards into the NLS players and they will find
>>>>> the books even if there are several VR Stream folders on the card.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> 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
>>>>>
>>>>> On 16/02/2010, at 5:00 AM, James Aldrich wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hello!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> So are you folks in Australia using the cartridges as well?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I use a Victor Stream and the NLS Player and I'm very happy with 
>>>>>> both!
>>>>>> The player will last over 29 hours on a charge according to the
>>>>>> information key where the stream lasts 15 hours on a good battery.
>>>>>> I think the battery in my stream could be going down now but I'll
>>>>>> use it till I only get minutes on a charge.  I also like the tone
>>>>>> quality of the player.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Jim Aldrich
>>>>>>
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Greg Kearney"
>>>>>> <gkearney at gmail.com>
>>>>>> To: "Discussion of Digital Talking Books" <dtb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> Sent: Monday, February 15, 2010 12:44 AM
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Dtb-talk] NLS Digital Players
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> But we should remember who we are serving. OVer 80% of our clients
>>>>>>> here, and we are typical, are over the age of 70 many have lost
>>>>>>> their sight in the recent past and do not have either access to or
>>>>>>> even the means to obtain extensive rehabilitation. They will never
>>>>>>> be downloading books form the internet. They can not even handle  SD
>>>>>>> cards well.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> We use VictorReader Streams (Library Editions) here for some of  our
>>>>>>> clients but other require a robust simple and loud player with
>>>>>>> simple controls.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> While I have been known to be critical of some of the decisions  the
>>>>>>> NLS made on the matter of the form factor of the drives and player
>>>>>>> I think they were right on the mark. We have been very happy with
>>>>>>> that aspect of the program that we adopted here.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> 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
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On 15/02/2010, at 3:21 PM, Rakesh Chand wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I suppose, with all the new technology people are generally
>>>>>>>> looking for smaller compact gadgets so, we from the blindness
>>>>>>>> community need to perhaps, catch-up. Let's forget about cassettes
>>>>>>>> let's put our focus on MP-4 or MP-3 players USB-drives etc etc.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I personally can have a desk-top at home & I don't have one,
>>>>>>>> because, I like to have something that is more mobile & more
>>>>>>>> accessible. I'm really fancying to have a V-stream as currently,
>>>>>>>> I've a Note-book but, my wife keeps reminding me how bulky the  old 
>>>>>>>> V-stream looked like...
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> So all in all, we blind folks need to be in the community rather
>>>>>>>> than shying away... People who have vision fancy small compact 
>>>>>>>> stuff!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> But hey yes, Valerie has a point to be noted. Trust you all had a
>>>>>>>> beautiful day!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Have a great evening!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Rakesh
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Valerie Lewis"
>>>>>>>> <vlewis at suffolk.lib.ny.us>
>>>>>>>> To: "Discussion of Digital Talking Books" <dtb-talk at nfbnet.org>;
>>>>>>>> "Tim Gillett" <tim.gillett at optusnet.com.au>
>>>>>>>> Sent: Monday, February 15, 2010 6:28 PM
>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Dtb-talk] NLS Digital Players
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Aditionally, the National Library Service program is designed  for
>>>>>>>>> people with physical disabilities who cannot hold a book or turn
>>>>>>>>> pages. The cartridges can be used more easily than the
>>>>>>>>> microscopic electronics that are commercially available. People
>>>>>>>>> with dexterity problems can grab/grasp/hold the NLS cartridges
>>>>>>>>> and can use the larger buttons on the NLS DTB machine.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Valerie
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On Mon, Feb 15, 2010, Tim Gillett  <tim.gillett at optusnet.com.au> 
>>>>>>>>> said:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> David wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> "NLS does not provide blank cartridges or thumb drives.
>>>>>>>>>> They are in the business of providing books preloaded on
>>>>>>>>>> cartridges
>>>>>>>>>> - in the way that they have provided cassettes."
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Yes it's easy to forget the whole purpose of the NLS larger
>>>>>>>>>> cartridge housing is to make it easy for the Print handicapped
>>>>>>>>>> to read books.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> One of the downsides of the miniaturisation of electronics has
>>>>>>>>>> been its effect on the blind.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> The compact cassette was still reasonably large enough for easy
>>>>>>>>>> use by the blind.  Whereas on the modern flash card there is
>>>>>>>>>> usually not enough room  for adequate braille or printed
>>>>>>>>>> labelling for example, let alone reliably inserting such small
>>>>>>>>>> media into a player.
>>>>>>>>>> And what if the blind person drops a tiny memory card? How do
>>>>>>>>>> they find it again?
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Similarly players with tiny control buttons and tiny screens
>>>>>>>>>> make them almost impossible to use, especially for the elderly
>>>>>>>>>> blind.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I came across this many times with the blind here in WA when
>>>>>>>>>> cassettes were the current format and here in WA. but clients
>>>>>>>>>> had to find their own cassette player.
>>>>>>>>>> The old "shoebox" cassette player with its large piano key
>>>>>>>>>> operation was fairly easy for most blind to use.
>>>>>>>>>> But once it started to disappear from the market and was
>>>>>>>>>> replaced by smaller, more fiddly Walkmans the blind struggled  to
>>>>>>>>>> use these players.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I'm pleased to see the designers of the NLS player specified a
>>>>>>>>>> largish cartridge even though it only contains a small memory
>>>>>>>>>> stick inside. This is practical for the blind, however
>>>>>>>>>> antiquated and "uncool" it might appear by sighted people's
>>>>>>>>>> standards.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Similarly it's pleasing in the NLS DTB to see other features
>>>>>>>>>> carried over from the old TBC1 players such as internal  speaker,
>>>>>>>>>> rechargeable battery, variable speed control, automatic power
>>>>>>>>>> down etc.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> It's important we stay real and remember  the many blind people
>>>>>>>>>> in their homes who have to use these devices.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Tim Gillett
>>>>>>>>>> Audio/Electronics Technician
>>>>>>>>>> Perth, Western Australia
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>> Dtb-talk mailing list
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>>>>>>>>>> info for Dtb-talk:
>>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/dtb-talk_nfbnet.org/ vlewis
>>>>>>>>>> %40suffolk.lib.ny.us
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>
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>>>>>
>>>>>
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