Facts

Washington, DC 20542

Introduction

In 2008 the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped 

(NLS), Library of Congress, will begin to distribute digital talking books (DTBs) 

and digital talking-book machines that will gradually replace the analog audiocassette books and audiocassette machines used today. While NLS moves forward 

with its digital talking-book program, many forms of audiobooks in a variety of 

digital formats are also emerging. To accommodate these books, an 

assortment of players has become available.

This factsheet describes the following:

specialized audiobook players designed for use by blind or visually impaired 

individuals

selected commercial off-the-shelf audiobook players with features that make 

them usable by blind or visually impaired individuals 

software programs that may be installed on a standard computer to enable 

users to play audiobooks without an additional device 

This factsheet provides basic information about each product. Contact information is provided for each supplier, which can provide information about additional 

features of the players. The capabilities and supported formats of players change 

frequently. Therefore features such as search functions, note-taking capability, 

and variable playback speeds should be verified at the time of purchase. Please 

note that supported versions of the DAISY audiobook format vary among products, and books produced using later versions of the DAISY format will not play 

on all products.

In 2002, a NISO digital talking-book standard was approved and adopted as 

American National Standard ANSI/NISO Z39.86 (2002), “Specifications for the 

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 2007 www.loc.gov/nls

Digital Audiobook Players
Digital Talking Book.” Digital talking-book players under development by NLS will be 

compliant with the standard, but this factsheet does not address the standard in relation to 

the players listed. 

Audiobook formats covered in this factsheet include Audible, DAISY, MP3, text, and 

Windows Media Audio (WMA). The medium for each can be CD, CompactFlash, or 

Secure Digital memory card, or a computer hard drive. A brief description of the formats 

and the media is provided in the glossary.

Disclaimer

Items listed in this factsheet are not part of the National Library Service for the Blind and 

Physically Handicapped program. Their listing does not imply endorsement and they may 

not be compatible with the digital talking book that is under development by NLS. Prices 

are subject to frequent change and should be verified with the supplier before ordering.

Contents

Glossary ..................................................................................................................3

Specialized Audiobook Players ..............................................................................5

Selected Commercial Audiobook Players ............................................................12

Selected Audiobook Software Players..................................................................13

Addresses of Sources............................................................................................15

Selected Bibliography...........................................................................................18
Glossary

ANSI/NISO Z39.86 (2002)

See NISO.

Audible

Proprietary compressed audio file format tailored for human voices. Developed by 

Audible.com.

CD

Compact disc. 

CompactFlash memory card

A small card that uses flash memory to store data and is used by such devices as digital cameras, music players, and some audiobook players.

DAISY (Digital Accessible Information System)

A set of standards and software developed by the international DAISY Consortium for 

recording digital talking books designed specifically for people who are unable to read 

standard print. 

Earbuds

Small listening devices that fit in the ear canal. Earbuds may have one earpiece or two 

for stereo sound reproduction. 

Earphones

Listening devices usually consisting of two small speakers connected by wires and 

designed to fit over the head or under the chin. The speakers fit at the opening to the 

ear canal, and allow for listening to audio in stereo. 

Flash memory

A type of nonvolatile memory that can be erased and rewritten.

Keypad

A keyboard, usually with no more than three or four numbered keys in each row.

Macintosh 

Computer created by Apple Computer, Inc.

MP3

MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3. Compression scheme used to encode audio files.

3
NISO

A digital talking-book standard created under the umbrella of the National Information 

Standards Organization (NISO) and approved as an American National Standard by the 

American National Standards Institute (ANSI). It is entitled “Specifications for the Talking Book.”

Secure Digital (SD) memory card

A small card that uses flash memory and is used by devices such as digital cameras, 

music players, and some audiobook players.

WMA (Windows Media Audio)

Multimedia file or streaming audio format created by Microsoft Corporation and used 

to download and play files.

Windows

Computer operating system created by Microsoft Corporation.

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5

NameProducerPriceFormatMediaMajor featuresOperationSizeWeightAdditionalfeaturesDistributor (s)

BookCourierSpringer Design, Inc.$379Audible, DAISY, MP3, and text formatsCompactFlash memory card (included)headphones required, allows unlimited

bookmarks, built-in speech synthesizeroperates on two AA batteries2.75" x 4.87" x 1"6 oz.auto shut-off sleep timer, automatic bookmark atthe end of each reading session, built-inmicrophone, built-in talking user guideIRTI, Springer, and Technologies for the VisuallyImpaired, catalog no. 757836

Book Port APH 

$395Audible, DAISY, MP3, and text formats CompactFlash memory card (included)headphones required, allows unlimited

bookmarks, built-in speech synthesizer, operates on two AA batteries2.25" x 4" x 1"7 oz.auto shut-off sleep timer, automatic bookmark atthe end of each reading session, built-in microphone, built-in talking user guide, CD withsoftware and seventeen hundred digital booksto transfer from a computer, audiocassetteinstructions, note-taking capabilityAPH, catalog no. 1-07440-00

Specialized Audiobook Players
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NameProducerPriceFormatMediaMajor featuresOperationSizeWeightAdditionalfeaturesDistributor (s)

Icon from LevelstarLevelstar, Inc.$1,395DAISY, MP3, and textmini SD and internal hard driveallows unlimited bookmarks, built-in speechsynthesizer, and internal speakeroperates on a built-in rechargeable battery or ACadaptor (included)3.35" x 5.09" x .97" 7.4 ouncesautomatic bookmark at the end of each readingsession, built-in microphone, built-in talking userguide, auto shut-off sleep timerLevelstar, Inc.

Milestone 311 Voice Recorder/MP3 PlayerIndependent Living Aids, Inc.$350DAISY and MP3SD memory cardincludes earbuds, internal memory, andinternal speakeroperates on rechargeable battery or AC adaptor(included)3.35" x 2.13" x .55" 1.7 ouncesbuilt-in microphone, note-taking capabilityIndependent Living Aidsitem number 757828
Name

ProducerPriceFormatMediaMajor featuresOperationSizeWeightAdditionalfeaturesDistributor(s)

Plextalk DAISY CD Players: PTN1, PTN1 ProPlextor LLC$350DAISY, MP3, and standard audioCDallows bookmarks, built-in speakeroperates on rechargeable battery or AC adaptor (included) 8.66" x 6.77" x 2.2" 2.65 lbsauto shut-off sleep timer; PTN1 Pro hasa keypadEnableMart, IRTI, and RFB&D

Plextalk Portable Recorder, PTR2Plextor LLC$895DAISY and standard audioCompactFlash memory card (included)allows multiple bookmarks, built-in speakeroperates on rechargeable battery or AC adaptor (included)1.6" x 3" x .8"4.30 lbsauto shut-off sleep timer, built-in microphone, recording tools to record and edit DAISY booksEnableMart, IRTI, RFB&D, and Technologies for the Visually Impaired

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Name

ProducerPriceFormatMediaMajor featuresOperationSizeWeightAdditionalfeaturesDistributor(s)

Telex ezDAISY CD PlayerTelex Communications, Inc.$249DAISY, MP3, and standard audioCDheadphones required, LCD screen to display disc details operates on four AA batteries or AC adaptor(included)5.25" x 6" x 1.59"0.65 lbsIndependent Living Aids, Inc.; RFB&D; and Telexcatalog no. 301329

Telex ProfessorTelex Communications, Inc.$349DAISY, MP3, and standard audio CD and 4-track audiocassetteallows multiple bookmarks (on the CD), builtin speakeroperates on 6-volt DC rechargeable battery pack or AC adaptor (included)11" x 6.75" x 10"6.2 lbsAM/FM radio with audible station notification and ability to preset stations Independent Living Aids, Inc.; RFB&D; and Telex catalog no. 3016480000

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NameProducerPriceFormatMediaMajor featuresOperationSizeWeightAdditionalfeaturesDistributor(s)

Telex Scholar Digital Talking Book PlayerTelex Communications, Inc. $249DAISY, MP3, and standard audioCDheadphones required, allows bookmarks, LCDscreen displays disc detailsoperates on four AA batteries or AC adaptor(included)5.25" x 6" x 1.59"1.65 lbsretains its location in a commercial CD audiobook when stopped Independent Living Aids, Inc.; RFB&D; and Telex

Victor Reader Classic VRCHumanWare$375DAISY, MP3, and standard audioCDbuilt-in speakeroperates on rechargeable factory-installed batteries or AC adaptor 9.3" x 8.2" x 2.1" 2.42 lbsBeyond Sight, Inc., and HumanWare
Name

ProducerPriceFormatMediaMajor featuresOperationSizeWeightAdditionalfeaturesDistributor(s)

Victor Reader Classic Plus HumanWare$375DAISY, MP3, and standard audioCDallows multiple bookmarks, built-in speakeroperates on rechargeable, factory-installedbatteries or AC adaptor (included)9.3" x 8.2" x 2.1" 2.64 lbsallows skipping elements such as page numbers and footnotesBeyond Sight, Inc.; HumanWare; and RFB&D

Victor Reader Classic Plus, with RecordingHumanWare$495DAISY, MP3, and standard audioCD and SD memory card recording feature thatrecords voice notesallows multiple bookmarks, built-in speakeroperates on rechargeable, factory-installedbatteries or AC adaptor (included)9.3" x 8.2" x 2.1" 2.64 lbsallows skipping elements such as page numbersand footnotesBeyond Sight, Inc.; HumanWare; and RFB&D

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11 Name Producer Price Format Media Major features Operation Size Weight Additional features Distributor(s) Victor Reader Vibe HumanWare $219 DAISY, MP3, and standard audio CDincludes earbuds, allows bookmarks operates on two AA rechargeable factory installed batteries 5.5" x 5.5" x 1" .65 lbs Beyond Sight, Inc.; HumanWare; Independent Living Aids, Inc; and RFB&D Victor Reader Wave HumanWare $249 DAISY, MP3, and standard audio CDearphones required, allows multiple bookmarks operates on two AA rechargeable factory installed batteries 5.82" x 5.43" x 1.14" .65 lbs Beyond Sight, Inc.; HumanWare; Independent Living Aids, Inc.; and RFB&D
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Name Producer Price Format Media Major features Operation Size Weight Additional features Distributor(s) Audiofy Player Audiofy Corporation $29.95 Audiofy audiobooks SD memory card (included) headphones required operates on two AAA batteries 3.9" x 2.5" x .5" 2.8 oz Audiofy MuVo Mix 512 MB Creative Labs $70 Audible, MP3, and WMA built-in flash memory; requires a computer to load content includes stereo earbuds operates on one AAA battery (included) 2.8" x 1.3" x .6" 1.3 oz audible feedback in the rewind and fast- forward modes Creative Labs Playaway Findaway $30–$55 Preloaded, self- contained audio- book includes earbuds, allows bookmarks operates on one AAA battery (included) 2" x 3" x .5" .6 oz Findaway Soul Player Soulmate Audiobooks $149.99 MP3, standard audio, and WMA CDforward and reverse by book, chapter, or page operates on two AA batteries, with a built-in battery charger 6" x 5" x 1" 11 oz. auto-resume function Soulmate Selected Commercial Audiobook Players
Name

ProducerPriceFormatMajor featuresAdditionalfeaturesDistributor(s)

AMISAMIS Project Free (download)DAISY and MP3allows bookmarksAMIS

Book WizardReaderAPH$49 CD, $39downloadDAISY and MP3allows bookmarksAPH

EaseReaderDolphin AudioPublishing$55–$75DAISY and text allows unlimitedbookmarks,includes speechsynthesizer andaudio user guideDolphin

eClipseReaderIRTI$59.99–$84.99DAISY, MP3, and textallows unlimitedbookmarks,includes speechsynthesizerIRTI and RFB&D

eReaderCAST$85–$229DAISY andtextavailable in bothWindows andMacintosh versions,includes speechsynthesizerCAST

Selected Audiobook Software Players

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Name Producer Price Format Major features Additional features Distributor(s) FSReader Freedom Scientific $79.95 DAISY, MP3, standard audio allows unlimited bookmarks auto-resume func- tion allows CD to resume playing at the last stop Freedom Scientific gh Player 2.0 gh, LLC $149–$299.99 DAISY and text allows bookmarks includes speech synthesizer Enable Mart and MaxiAids Katieplayer RFB&D $18 (basic) DAISY operates on a Macintosh com- puter (not Windows) auto shut-off sleep timer RFB&D Kurzweil 1000 Kurzweil Educa- tional Systems $995 text-based DAISY allows bookmarks, includes speech synthesizer scans paper docu- ments then opens, reads, and stores them in DAISY format HumanWare and Kurzweil Victor Reader Soft HumanWare $79–$150 DAISY allows bookmarks; some versions include a speech synthesizer Beyond Sight, HumanWare, and RFB&D
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APH

(American Printing House for the Blind)

1839 Frankfort Avenue

Louisville, KY 40206

(502) 895-2405

800-223-2274 

(502) 899-2274 fax

cs@aph.org

www.aph.org

AMIS 

(Adaptive Multimedia Information System)

info@amisproject.org

marisademeglio@users.sourceforge.net

http://amis.sourceforge.net

Audiofy Corporation

3502 Scotts Lane, Building 12

Philadelphia, PA 19129

(215) 848-8000

866-472-8346

(215) 790-6200 fax

support@audiofy.com

www.audiofy.com

Beyond Sight, Inc.

5650 South Windermere Street

Littleton, CO 80120

(303) 795-6455

(303) 795-6425 fax

support@beyondsight.com

www.beyondsight.com

CAST 

(formerly Center For Applied Speech Technology)

40 Harvard Mills Square, Suite 3

Wakefield, MA 01880-3233

(781) 245-2212

888-858-9994, ext. 273

(781) 245-5212 fax

cast@cast.org

www.cast.org

Creative Labs

1901 McCarthy Boulevard

Milpitas, CA 95035

(408) 428-6600

800-998-1000

(408) 428-6611 fax

http://us.creative.com

Dolphin Computer Access, Ltd.

231 Clarksville Road, Suite 3

Princeton Junction, NJ 08550

(650) 348-7401

866-797-5921

(650) 348-7403 fax

info@dolphinusa.com 

www.yourdolphin.com

EnableMart

4210 East 4th Plain Boulevard

Vancouver, WA 98661

(360) 695-4155

888-640-1999

(360) 695-4133 fax

sales@enablemart.com

www.enablemart.com

Findaway

23 Bell Street

Chagrin Falls, OH 44022

(440) 893-0808

877-893-0808

(440) 893-0809 fax

www.playawaydigital.com

Freedom Scientific

11800 31st Court North

St. Petersburg, FL 33716

(727) 803-8000

Addresses of Sources
16 

800-444-4443

(727) 803-8001 fax

www.freedomscientific.com

gh, LLC

1305 Cumberland Avenue

West Lafayette, IN 47906

(765) 775-3776

866-693-3687 (866-MY-3-DOTS)

(765) 775-2501 fax

sales@ghbraille.com

www.ghbraille.com

HumanWare

175 Mason Circle

Concord, CA 94520

(925) 680-7100

800-722-3393

(925) 681-4630 fax

us.info@humanware.com

www.humanware.com

Independent Living Aids, Inc. 

P. O. Box 9022

Hicksville, NY 11802-9022

(516) 937-1848

800-537-2118

(516) 937-3906 fax

can-do@independentliving.com

www.independentliving.com

IRTI 

(Innovative Rehabilitation Technology, Inc.)

13465 Colfax Highway

Grass Valley, CA 95945

(530) 274-2090

800-322-4784

(530) 274-2093 fax

info@irti.net

www.irti.net

Kurzweil Educational Systems, Inc.

100 Crosby Drive, Suite 302

Bedford, MA 01730-1402

(781) 276-0600

800-894-5374

(781) 276-0650 fax

info@kurzweiledu.com 

sales@kurzweiledu.com

technology@kurzweiltech.com

www.kurzweiledu.com

Levelstar, Inc.

1500 Cherry Street, Suite D

Louisville, CO 80027

(303) 926-4334

800-315-2305

(303) 926-1787 fax

info@levelstar.com

www.levelstar.com

MaxiAids, Inc.

42 Executive Boulevard

Farmingdale, NY 11735

(631) 752-0521

800-522-6294

(631) 752-0689 fax

sales@maxiaides.com

www.maxiaids.com

Plextor LLC

48383 Fremont Boulevard, Suite 120

Fremont, CA 94538

(510) 440-2000

(510) 651-9755 fax 

sales@plextor.com

www.plextor.com

RFB&D 

(Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic)

20 Roszel Road

Princeton, NJ 08540

800-221-4792

custserv@rfbd.org

www.rfbd.org

Plextalk reseller to RFB&D members only

Soulmate Audiobooks, Inc.

1704 Eaton Drive

Grand Haven, MI 49417
(616) 846-5256

800-854-7959

help@soulmateaudio.com

www.soulmateaudio.com

Springer Design, Inc.

3160 Crow Canyon Place, Suite 145

San Ramon, CA 94583

(925) 242-0310

(925) 242-0357 fax

sales@bookcourier.com

www.bookcourier.com

Technologies for the Visually Impaired

9 Nolan Court

Hauppauge, NY 11788

(631) 724-4479 voice and fax

866-689-5672

contact@tvi-web.com

www.tvi-web.com

Telex Communications, Inc.

Customer Services–Special Needs

12000 Portland Avenue South

Burnsville, MN 55337

(952) 884-4051

800-828-6107, ext. 7498

(952) 887-5595 fax

info@telex.com

www.telex.com

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Selected Bibliography 

2006 AccessWorld guide to assistive technology products. New York: AFB 

Press, 2006. 229p. Large print. $24.95.

Andrews, David. Which DAISY digital talking-book player is right for you? 

Proceedings of the Center on Disabilities, Technology and Persons with

Disabilities Conference, California State University at Northridge (CSUN),

2006. Northridge, CA: 2006. Online at www.csun.edu/cod/conf/2006/

proceedings/2812.htm.

Andrews, David. Reviews and comparisons of DAISY digital talking-book

players. St. Paul: Minnesota State Services for the Blind, 2004. 46p.

Bernstein, Neil. Flash-memory distribution of digital talking books.

Washington: National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, 2005. 8p. Free. [booklet]. Also available online 

at www.loc.gov/nls/technical/flashdistribution.html.

Chevalier, Gerry. Digital talking books–life after the CD. Proceedings of the Center 

on Disabilities, Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference, California State University at Northridge (CSUN), 2006. Northridge, CA: 2006. 

Online at www.csun.edu/cod/conf/2006/proceedings/2757.htm.

Crabb, Nolan. Now you can take your reader everywhere! Dialogue, v. 42, 

winter 2003: 71–76.

E-Book Crossroads. E-book readers and handheld reading devices. 

Retrieved Aug. 18, 2005. www.ebookcrossroads.com/ebook-readers.html.

Hodges, Brad. Consumer electronics: crisis at the big box store, part 3. Braille 

monitor, v. 48, June 2005: 396–407.

Kendrick, Deborah. Marking the road to MP3 player accessibility: a review of the 

Milestone 311, product evaluation. AccessWorld, v. 7, Sept. 2006. Retrieved 

Aug. 28, 2006. www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw070505. 

Kendrick, Deborah. On the move with MuVo, product evaluation. AccessWorld, 

v. 6, Jan. 2005. Retrieved Aug. 16, 2005. www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.

asp?DocID=aw060108. 

18 
Kendrick, Deborah. Read all day with Playaway, product evaluation.

AccessWorld, v. 7, July 2006. Retrieved Aug. 31, 2006. www.afb.org/

afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw070409. 

Leventhal, Jay. A library in your hand: a review of the Book Port and the

BookCourier. AccessWorld, v. 5, July 2004. Retrieved Aug. 18, 2006. 

www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw050407.

Leventhal, Jay, and Janina Sajka. Read me, read me not: a review of four

DAISY books players. AccessWorld, v. 5, Jan. 2004. Retrieved Aug. 18, 

2006. www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw050104.

Leventhal, Jay, and Janina Sajka. A rosy future for DAISY books. AccessWorld,

 v. 5, Jan 2004. Retrieved Aug. 18, 2006. www.afb.org/afbpress/pub. 

asp?DocID=aw050103.

Library of Congress. National Library Service for the Blind and Physically

Handicapped. Current strategic business plan for the implementation of digital systems. Washington, 2006. 57p. Available online at www.loc.gov/

nls/businessplan/index.html.

Library of Congress. National Library Service for the Blind and Physically

Handicapped. Frequently asked questions: digital talking books. Washington. 

10p. Free. [brochure]. Available online at www.loc.gov/nls/dtbfaq.html.

Library of Congress. National Library Service for the Blind and Physically

Handicapped. Washington. NLS flash. Monthly. Free. Available online at 

www.loc.gov/nls/newsletters/flash/index.html.

Library of Congress. National Library Service for the Blind and Physically

Handicapped. Reference Section. Facts: selected sources for electronic texts. 

Compiled by Carol Strauss and Judy Dixon. Washington, 2003. 8p. Free. 

Available online at www.loc.gov/nls/reference/factsheets/etexts.html; also 

available on audiocassette upon request.

National Federation of the Blind. Technology resource list: digital and e-book 

resources. Retrieved May 19, 2006. Available online at www.nfb.org/nfb/

technology_resource_list1.asp?sn1d=1139857582#D&EBR

NIMAS Development and Technical Assistance Centers. Digital talking books. 

Retrieved May19, 2006. Available online at http://nimas.cast.org/about/

resources/dtb.html.

19
Taylor, John M. Serving blind readers in a digital age. American libraries, v. 35, 

Dec. 2004: 49–51.

Worsfold, John. DAISY accessibility for the masses using EaseReader. 

Proceedings of the Center on Disabilities, Technology and Persons with 

Disabilities Conference, California State University at Northridge (CSUN), 

2006. Northridge, CA: 2006. Online at http://www.csun.edu/cod/conf/2006/

proceedings/2692.htm.

Reference Section

2007

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