Talking Book and Braille Equipment

Zoomax braille eReader (EBZ)

This is a refreshable braille device that allows us to ship braille books to you on a cartridge, the same as we do with audio books. You then transfer the items from the cartridge to your eReader. You can also use the machine to download books directly from BARD. The 5” x 7 ½ “ eReader can hold an amazing amount of books, you can keep for as long as you are a patron. The latest update even has a one-handed function!

Here is what you can expect to receive:

• Getting Started Guide and Full Instruction Manual Braille eReader
• Sample eBraille Cartridge
• Carrying Case
• Carrying Lanyard
• Cartridge Connector Cord
• Power Cord and Power Adapter

To familiarize yourself with the new Braille eReader, we recommend reading the Getting Started Guide included in the box. It provides essential information to help you make the most of your device.

Sample eBraille Cartridge

You may request a sample eBraille cartridge with twenty preselected books from our collection. To access these books, follow these simple steps: Use the provided cartridge connector cable to connect the cartridge to the eReader's USB-A port. The books will automatically load onto your eReader.

Transition to eBraille

Should you decide to transition to eBraille from hard copy embossed books, we'll start sending books on cartridges like the sample one. Load these books onto your eReader and return the cartridges to us – no need to hold onto them as the books are stored on your device. We're here to support you throughout this transition.
Let us know if we can send you one! We are very excited to be able to launch into this era of service for our borrowers!

Florida Braille and Talking Book Library 1-800-226-6075

Digital Standard Player (DS1)

• Plays NLS (ANSI/NISO Z39.86:2002) digital talking books
• Plays Daisy 2.02 digital talking books
• Plays AMR-WB+, MP3, and WAV audiofiles
• Has eight controls
• Includes a variable speed control that permits speeding up or slowing down playback speed without changing the pitch
• Is portable
• Is equipped with a rechargeable battery and an electrical cord

Some controls on the Talking Book player you may find useful:

• The white speed control buttons are on the top right side of the player. Press the arrow pointing up to speed up the narrator and read faster. Press the arrow pointing down to slow down playback; this may help if you have trouble understanding the narrator.
• The white tone control buttons are on the top left side of the player. Narrators have a wide variety of voices, from deep to high pitched. Adjusting the tone may allow you to better hear or understand a particular narrator. It can also help when listening to older books that were originally recorded on tape.
• The sleep button is shaped like a crescent moon and is located just above the large green Play/Stop button. If you press it, the player will play for 15 minutes, then automatically shut off. This comes in handy if you tend to fall asleep while listening. You can press it twice for 30 minutes, 3 times for 45 minutes, or 4 times for an hour of play.
• Don’t forget the player has built-in instructions. Make sure there is no book cartridge in the player, press the red power button to turn it on, then press any button to hear how it works.

Digital Advanced Player (DA1)

• Plays NLS (ANSI/NISO Z39.86:2002) digital talking books
• Plays Daisy 2.02 digital talking books
• Plays AMR-WB+, MP3, and WAV audiofiles
• Has thirteen controls, including a row of controls for setting and retrieving bookmarks and navigating through the structured levels of a book
• Includes a variable speed control that permits speeding up or slowing down playback speed without changing the pitch
• Is portable
• Is equipped with a rechargeable battery and an electrical cord

Some controls on the Talking Book player you may find useful:

• The white speed control buttons are on the top right side of the player. Press the arrow pointing up to speed up the narrator and read faster. Press the arrow pointing down to slow down playback; this may help if you have trouble understanding the narrator.
• The white tone control buttons are on the top left side of the player. Narrators have a wide variety of voices, from deep to high pitched. Adjusting the tone may allow you to better hear or understand a particular narrator. It can also help when listening to older books that were originally recorded on tape.
• The sleep button is shaped like a crescent moon and is located just above the large green Play/Stop button. If you press it, the player will play for 15 minutes, then automatically shut off. This comes in handy if you tend to fall asleep while listening. You can press it twice for 30 minutes, 3 times for 45 minutes, or 4 times for an hour of play.
• Don’t forget the player has built-in instructions. Make sure there is no book cartridge in the player, press the red power button to turn it on, then press any button to hear how it works.

Remote Control (AC030)

• For patrons who are confined to bed or who have manual dexterity issues.
• Handheld remote control with 15 buttons identical to those on the advanced digital players with the exception of a Power On/Off button.
• Connects via the USB port on the right side of the digital player.
• Best utilized when the digital player is connected to a power source as the remote requires additional power.
• Optimized to work with advanced digital players; standard digital players require a software update for the remote to work.

Pillow Speaker (AC021)

• For persons who are confined to bed
• May be used with any playback machine
• Is placed under the reader's pillow and is normally heard only by the reader

Right Angle Adapter (AC020)

USB flash-drive adapter allows you to connect your USB flash drive to the digital talking book player at a 90 degree right angle. By using the adapter, your flash drive lays parallel to the player.

Cartridge Cable (AC025)

NLS has a specially made USB cable that allows you to attach a digital talking book cartridge to a computer. Three feet long with a standard USB type A plug on one end and a USB type A socket and plastic molding-conforming to the shape of the cartridge-on the other. The accessory connects a digital talking-book cartridge to a universal serial bus (USB) port on a personal computer (PC) to facilitate use with BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download).

Headphones (AC027)

Headphones for private listening and/or readers who require them for reading talking books where loudspeakers are not permitted, as in nursing homes and hospitals.

Headphone Adaptor (AC019)

This adaptor has a 3.5 milimeter stereo plug on one end (male) and a 1/4 inch stereo jack (female) on the other. It allows patrons to use older style headphones that have a 1/4 inch plug with the talking book player, which requires a 3.5 milimeter plug.