[Dtb-talk] digital player information

Tue Sep 20 20:05:08 UTC 2011

Steve I agree with what you say about the Book Sense.  I would add that its TTS is quite good better than Stream/Pocket/BookPort Plus, all of whom use Nuance Vocalizer, which is so-so at best.  The BS speaker is a little larger too.  Its drawbacks, for me are that it is confusing to use sometimes, you can see its window origins, it is like a collection of apps on one machine, and some controls on side, some on top, so it isn't as intuitive or integrated as Stream.  Also, with some readers, I could speed up a little more than BS allows me to do.

Finally, I do like its clock and alarm.  Humanware says the current Stream does not have the proper hardware to add those features.  \

Dave

-----Original Message-----
From: dtb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:dtb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Steve Jacobson
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2011 2:05 PM
To: Discussion of Digital Talking Books
Subject: Re: [Dtb-talk] digital player information

Just to throw in another option, I've been pretty happy with the BookSense after it got beyond the initial release.  It records better than the stream with more options and it is smaller.  I would agree that the stream software is more stable, though.  While the BookSense records better in my opinion, it does not have all of the options or ability to mark up recordings than does BookPort plus, but the battery life seems to be a little better.  .  It reads more document types than the stream unless you add the extra document package to the stream.  The ability to use BlueTooth headphones on the Booksense XT version which is more expensive  can be very nice, but there have been some bugs associated with this although it has gotten better.  Believe it or not, I have found the ability to check the time with the clock in the BookSense to be something I miss when I use a stream even though I wouldn't buy it just for the clock.  I find the speaker on the Booksense to have the ability to get a little louder than that on the Stream, but I think the Stream's speaker is perhaps a little clearer.  I don't have enough experience with the Bookport plus to make a comparison.

It is nice to have options as we do.

Best regards,

Steve Jacobson

On Tue, 20 Sep 2011 10:36:48 -0700, Jim Barbour wrote:

>I would agree that the stream is a better device, some specifics below.

>* I've never seen software stability issues with the stream.  It will,
>  once a year or so for me, corrupt its internal database and need to
>  be reset.  This is a minor issue, despite how it sounds <smile>
>  
>* The stream is a much better book reader, feeling much more
>  comfortable and intuitive than the pocket.
>  
>* The pocket does do wifi.  However, there is no web browser.  This
>  means that you can't use it with any public facing wifi, such as at
>  a starbucks.  This is because there's no way to enter a password, or
>  agree to terms of service.

>* The pocket is a much better recorder.  If you're looking for a way
>  to organize class recordings, have books read, etc. then the pocket
>  becomes much more attractive.

>* I would also have a look at the book port plus from APH.  They took
>  the Pocket and redid much of its firmware.  So, the commands are
>  different, and the features changed slightly.  I like the Book Port
>  more than the pocket, and I like the stream better than either.

>Hope this helps,

>Jim

>On Tue, Sep 20, 2011 at 01:01:49PM -0400, Dale Leavens wrote:
>> All you say is true from my perspective too. The Stream has a better 
>> and louder speaker as well however we have some software stability 
>> issues with the Stream. Just recently when copying DAISY content from 
>> CNIB discs apparently works but the book does not appear in the 
>> bookshelf. When attempting to copy it again one is prompted to 
>> overwrite the book which apparently isn't there and doing so doesn't 
>> put it there either. There seems to be issues around how the 
>> directory works and is organized. So far I have not seen this sort of 
>> trouble with the PlexTalk Pocket. I do wish it had a more robust 
>> sound though and a better protective case for when I am wearing it about my work in the shop and gardens.
>> 
>> Dale leavens.
>> 
>> 
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Andrews, David B (DEED)"
>> <david.b.andrews at state.mn.us>
>> To: "Discussion of Digital Talking Books" <dtb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2011 12:16 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Dtb-talk] digital player information
>> 
>> 
>> >They are similar devices, they do many of the same things  -- they 
>> >both have their strengths and weaknesses.  Personally I think the 
>> >Stream is a better DAISY book player, its algorithms for speeding up 
>> >a book without changing the pitch are better, and it has very good 
>> >battery life, and is well thought out, and easy to use.  The Pocket 
>> >is thinner and lighter, is probably a better recorder, and can now 
>> >be connected for some things via Wifi.  I don't find it as easy to 
>> >use, and battery life isn't as good, but smaller.
>> >
>> >So, it depends on what is important to you!
>> >
>> >Dave
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >-----Original Message-----
>> >From: dtb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org 
>> >[mailto:dtb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sarah
>> >Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2011 10:41 AM
>> >To: dtb-talk at nfbnet.org
>> >Subject: [Dtb-talk] digital player information
>> >
>> >Hello. I have been using a Victor Reader stream for several years. I 
>> >would like to know the difference between the stream and the PlexTalk Pocket.
>> >Thank you.
>> >   Sarah