DIGITAL BOOKS & SOFTWARE DAISY PLAYERS
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By Robert Lee Beach
Assistive Technology Specialist
Kansas City Kansas Community College
For EASI, November 15, 2007
What is a digital talking book?
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Most basic form:
Any digital copy of a book that can produce audio
DAISY
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Set of standards for producing accessible information
Digital Accessible Information System
DAISY Consortium www.daisy.org
Two versions
Six types or "fragrances"
DAISY 2.0/2.02 (ANSI/NISO Z39.862002)
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Formally the official standard
Probably still most common at this time
All players recognize it
DAISY 3.0 (DAISY/NISO Z39.86 2005)
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Official standard as of November 2005
Less common at this time, but gaining
Not all players recognize this format
"FRAGRANCES" OF DAISY
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Text only
Player must have TTS if audio is desired
Audio only
Prerecorded audio
Little or no text is available
Text/Audio
Both text and audio are available and can be synchronized
WHY PICK A DAISY?
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Provides better navigation
Is searchable (if text is present)
Is indexable
Can accommodate most/all print disabilities
Can synchronize text and audio
DAISY PLADAISY requires special players
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Two types of players
Software (computer based)
Hardware (portable)
SOFTWARE PLAYERS
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Book Wizard Reader, APH
Easy-Reader, Dolphin Computer Access
eClipse Reader, Innovative Rehabilitation Technology Inc.
gh Player, gh, LLC.
Victor ReaderSoft, HumanWare
FS Reader, Freedom Scientific
And More!
EASY-READER
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Dolphin Computer Access
Cost $45.00
Recommend purchasing from RFB&D to play their books
Will play BookShare books as of version 2.30
Does recognize DAISY 3 as of V2.30
Designed more like a media player
Opening Screen
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Compact Mode Screen
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Preferences General Tab
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Preferences Highlighting Tab
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Highlighted Sample
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Default Sample
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Preferences Playback Tab
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Preferences Display Tab
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Display Sample
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Navigation Control Center Library
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NCC Index Tab
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NCC Bookmark Tab
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Library Tab "City Kid"
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"City Kid" page 1
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Index Tab "City Kid"
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Search Dialog
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Search results
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Open Book Dialog
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RFB&D Key
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Audio Book "Eragon"
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Victor ReaderSoft
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HumanWare
Cost $79.00
Recommend purchasing from RFB&D in order to access their books
Will play BookShare books
Does recognize DAISY 3
Designed more like a standard Windows application
Open Book
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Victor ReaderSoft book screen
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Edit Menu
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Navigation Menu
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Settings Menu
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BOOK WIZARD READER
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American Printing House for the Blind (APH)
Cost $49.00 on CD
comes with AT&T Mike 16KHz
Cost $39.00 for electronic distribution
Does not include AT&T Mike
Purchase from APH but a key is available from RFB&D to play their books ($10)
Will play BookShare books
Does recognize DAISY 3
Designed more like a standard Windows application
Book Shelf
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Main Screen, Contents view
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View Menu
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Navigation Menu
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Audio Menu
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Settings Menu
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gh Player
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gh LLC
Purchase key from RFB&D to play their books
Cost $149 for Standard version or $229 for Premium version
Does play BookShare books
gh Player (continued)
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Does recognize DAISY 3 format
Designed like a standard Windows application
Self voicing
Text-to-speech
Can convert from NIMAS to DAISY
Built-in braille display support
GH PLAYER
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"My Library"
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Main Screen
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Edit Menu
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Navigation Menu
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Section Navigator
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Tools Menu
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Options Menu
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Next Time
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Gh Player
Victor Classic
Victor Wave
Book Port
Victor Stream
Contact Information
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Robert Lee Beach
Assistive Technology Specialist
Kansas City Kansas Community College
7250 State Avenue
Kansas City, KS 66112
E-mail: rbeach@kckcc.edu
Phone: (913) 288-7671