[Electronics-talk] [Bulk] Re: Digital Talking Book Players

Wed Nov 4 04:59:35 UTC 2009

Hi, Grover, Mary and all,

Unfortunately, there is no direct way to convert the audio files created by 
the Victor Reader Stream to MP3 format because it records in AMR wideband 
code (.3GP) which is not compatible with any of the audio formats on the PC. 
Therefore, you would first have to use the Humanware Companion software 
package to convert the audio file to a wave (.WAV) format. Once the file has 
been converted to a wave file you would have to reprocess the audio file 
through a direct WAV to MP3 converter. In my own particular case, I use 
Goldwave, a sound recorder, to make the conversion. However, if you are not 
interested in using a sound recorder, it should be relatively easy to find a 
WAV to MP3 converter online. Let me know either on or off list if you want 
more detail about the process.
HTH
Rob Tabor
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Grover Zinn" <grover.zinn at oberlin.edu>
To: "Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances" 
<electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, November 02, 2009 1:19 PM
Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] [Bulk] Re: Digital Talking Book Players

> I'm late on this thread, but what is used to convert the VR Stream 
> "Notes" files to mp3.  I've been trying to do that.
>
> Thanks in advance for any insight
>
> best
>
> Grover Zinn (for Mary Zinn)
>
> Grover Zinn
> William H. Danforth Professor of Religion, emeritus
> former Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
> Oberlin College
> Oberlin, OH 44074
> grover.zinn at oberlin.edu
>
>
>
> On Nov 2, 2009, at 12:12 PM, Valerie Lewis wrote:
>
>> Hello all,
>>
>> Do the Pocket (Plextalk) and VRS  play Overdrive books?
>>
>> Valerie
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>> [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Marks, Jim
>> Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 5:31 PM
>> To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] [Bulk] Re: Digital Talking Book  Players
>>
>> The Pocket from PlexTalk is worth another look, too.  Its recording
>> features are terrific.  One can even make a DAISY recording with the
>> device.  The playing functions were poor in the first firmware  versions,
>> but now the Pocket does nearly as well as the Stream does.  I'm  running
>> a beta version of the third version of the software.  For audio books,
>> the Pocket does as well as the Stream.  For e-text, it does pretty  well,
>> and it's getting better with each firmware upgrade.
>>
>>
>>
>> -----
>> Jim Marks
>> jim.marks at umontana.edu
>> -----
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>> [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jim Barbour
>> Sent: Friday, October 16, 2009 3:17 PM
>> To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] [Bulk] Re: Digital Talking Book  Players
>>
>> I will say that the booksense has it all over the stream when it comes
>> to recording.
>>
>> The booksense will record to mp3 or wav files, while the stream
>> recores to something called AWR, which you then need to convert to
>> mp3.
>>
>> The booksense can read doc files, and play unprotected AAC files,  which
>> are the files that come from the iTunes store.  I would know say that
>> the booksense works with itunes.  For example, iTunes does not provide
>> a method for syncing music to the booksense.
>>
>> The stream will not play aac files today, but I suspect that
>> functionality is coming (total speculation)  However, itunes can
>> easily convert AAC files to mp3.
>>
>> I think the stream is a more reliable device for what it does.
>>
>> The booksense's form factor, ability to play AAC files, ability to
>> read DOC/DOCX files, ability to record to mp3 are all points it the
>> booksense's favor.  Also, if you buy the more expensive XT version,
>> you can use bluetooth headphones, onboard memory, and the FM radio.
>>
>> I've never found the onboard memory all that useful on my booksense.
>> I just use a media card.
>>
>> The bluetooth headset idea is nice, but it cuts your battery life by
>> close to 40%.
>>
>> The radio is cool, but it's hard for me to justify paying the extra
>> $100.00 for it.
>>
>> Hope this is all helpful :)
>>
>> Jim
>>
>> On Fri, Oct 16, 2009 at 02:26:06PM -0500, Michael wrote:
>>> The ability of the
>>> Stream to record notes is something I find very useful in addition to
>>
>>> reading.  That function keeps me from having to carry around another
>>> gadget for this purpose.  But I do find the Stream to be very easy to
>> use
>>> for reading.  I don't know about the other products out there.
>>>
>>> Michael
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dr. Joel L. Etra"
>> <joeletra at aol.com>
>>> To: "'Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances'"
>>> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Friday, October 16, 2009 10:42 AM
>>> Subject: [Bulk] Re: [Electronics-talk] Digital Talking Book Players
>>>
>>>
>>>> I was wondering the same thing. I understand that when the program
>> fully
>>>> rolls out, we will get one for free.
>>>> Didn't the Stream come out with a version specifically designed for
>> NLS?
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>> [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Darrin
>> Porter
>>>> Sent: Friday, October 16, 2009 10:46 AM
>>>> To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
>>>> Subject: [Electronics-talk] Digital Talking Book Players
>>>>
>>>> In fear of starting a heated debate, I would like to ask which of  the
>> five
>>>> or six machines that will play the new NLS digital talking books the
>> group
>>>> thinks is the best.
>>>>
>>>> I am in the market for one and can't really decide which one to get.
>> The
>>>> one I've heard the most about is, of course, the Victor Reader  Stream
>> and,
>>>> several months ago, would have probably bought it without question.
>> But
>>>> recently, I listened to an accessable devices podcast that, at least
>> to
>>>> me,
>>>> suggested that the Book Senth was probably the best deal.
>>>>
>>>> So, experiences?  Suggestions?
>>>>
>>>> I would like to use it both with and without earphones and will
>> probably
>>>> play music, podcasts and other audio as well as the NLS books.  Not
>> much
>>>> interested in Audible.com books, but may use the text-to-speach
>> feature to
>>>> read E-books.
>>>>
>>>> Darrin
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Darrin Porter
>>>> Senior Technical Engineer
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> United Ocean Services, L.L.C.
>>>> 601 South Harbour Island Boulevard, Suite 230
>>>> Tampa, Florida  33602
>>>> (813) 209-4247 (office)
>>>> (813) 744-0011 (cellular phone)
>>>> (813) 242-4849 (fax)
>>>> DARRIN.PORTER at UNITED-MAR.COMM<mailto:DARRIN.PORTER at UNITED-MAR.COMM>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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