Choosing a DAISY player

On this page:

Introduction
What is DAISY?
Portable players
Desktop players
DAISY software
DAISY player accessories
Further information

Introduction

This guide highlights the various DAISY players and accessories that are available to buy. If you need more information, latest prices or advice, please do not hesitate to contact RNIB on 0303 123 9999 or alternatively, why not visit our Online Shop.

How to order

By phone

0303 123 9999 or 01733 37 53 50

Lines are open from 8.45am - 6.00pm Monday to Friday, with the exception of Thursday when lines are closed from 2.30pm - 4.30pm. Opening hours on Saturdays are 9.00am - 4.00pm.

You can still contact us outside these hours, by leaving a message on our answerphone. Your order or enquiry will be processed the next working day. Customers with a hearing impairment can request information or order products via our Minicom number on 0845 758 5691.

By post

Write to us at

RNIB
PO Box 173
Peterborough
PE2 6WS

Correspondence is welcomed in any format - print, braille, audio, Moon and computer disk.

By fax

01733 37 50 01

By email

cservices@rnib.org.uk

Online

RNIB's Online Shop

In person

You could visit one of our centres located throughout the UK, or your local society for blind and partially sighted people, many of whom also stock products in their shops. Details of your local society for blind and partially sighted people are available from RNIB by calling 0303 123 9999 or 01733 37 5350.

Please note some callers may find it cheaper to call a landline number so we have detailed both 08 prefixed numbers and landline equivalents where available for RNIB.

What is DAISY?

DAISY is an acronym which stands for "Digital Accessible Information System" and is now a recognised worldwide standard for audio developed by the DAISY Consortium. This Consortium, formed in May 1996, includes worldwide representation from a wide cross section of organisations including charities such as RNIB and commercial organisations like Microsoft.

DAISY is a digital reading format that can combine audio, text and graphical information in one production, making it accessible to a wide range of people with print disabilities. DAISY can be played on a standalone DAISY player, or by using DAISY software player on a computer.

What are the benefits of DAISY?

Navigation

DAISY text can be recorded on up to six heading levels which enables the reader to navigate through the recording by section, sub-section, chapter and pages, depending on how the book has been structured. For instance, RNIB's DAISY TV listings allows the reader to jump by day, channel, time of day and finally to each programme. Bookmarks can also be inserted at any point, and the "resume" function means that playback continues from the point the reader left off, rather than at the beginning as with conventional CDs.

Compression

Large amounts of content can be compressed onto one DAISY CD. As a general rule, around 25 hours of audio can be recorded on a DAISY CD with no noticeable deterioration in the sound quality.

Multimedia

DAISY books can incorporate text, graphics and audio into one publication, allowing the reader to view the text at the same time as listening to it, such as on a computer screen.

How can I play a DAISY title?

DAISY titles can be played on a dedicated hardware player or on a computer using DAISY player software. RNIB sells a range of hardware and software players, including desktop and portable models that range in size, functionality and price. Some smaller players use memory cards rather than CDs and require DAISY books or music to be transferred to the memory card using a computer.

Many MP3 players will be able to play a DAISY title but not all the navigation features will be available. Domestic CD players will not be able to play DAISY titles.

Portable players

Victor Wave DAISY player

The Victor Wave is a compact portable clamshell design DAISY player, ideal for listening to DAISY audio books and music on the move. Similar in size to a conventional CD player.

plays DAISY audio books, music CDs and MP3 CDs
variable speed controls and automatic
pitch compensation allow you to speed up and slow down the speech without altering the tone and pitch of the voice
large tactile controls
audio and visual feedback for controls and navigation
numeric keypad to allow direct navigation to pages and numbering of bookmarks
audio and visual indicators for volume, playback speed and battery
battery life of up to nine hours
supplied with carry case, rechargeable AA batteries, battery charger and earphones
one year warranty.

Please note: large and complex books with more than three heading levels may take up to a minute to load the DAISY information.

Dimensions: Width: 13.8cm, Depth: 14.8cm, Height: 2.9cm, Weight: 260 grams.

Victor Stream Daisy player

The Victor Stream is a compact and portable Daisy book and MP3 player. Weighing just 180 grams and the same size as a pack of playing cards, you can have your whole audio library in your pocket. The large, well-spaced buttons and advanced navigational controls make reading complex books and reference manuals quick and easy. You can download directly from your computer onto the Victor Stream for listening. It does not have a facility to play direct from a CD.

built-in text-to-speech synthesiser converts text files into speech
plays Daisy audio books and MP3 CDs
variable playback speed
voice recorder using built-in microphone
large, tactile, high contrast buttons
store books and music on a removable SD card. A variety SD cards are available from RNIB (product codes DD30 to DD34)
key describer mode to familiarise yourself with the Stream's functions
sleep timer function to conserve battery life
USB port to transfer books and music from your computer
battery life of up to 15 hours
supplied with carry case, earphones, battery charger, USB cable and CD manual
one year warranty.

Dimensions: Width: 6.6cm, Depth 11.7cm, Height: 2.2cm, Weight: 180 grams.

Milestone 311 Daisy player

The Milestone 311 is the smallest Daisy player available. Similar in size to a credit card - just a little wider. Quality digital voice recorder, making it perfect for making lists, taking down notes, reading a book or listening to music on the move. You can download directly from your computer onto the Milestone 311 for listening. It does not have a facility to play direct from a CD.

store several Daisy titles on the supplied 2GB SD card and navigate by page, chapter or section, and resume playback from the last saved position in each book
voice recorder has five folders to organise your recordings and a voice tag can be assigned to each folder
up to two hours recording on the internal memory, or up to 140 hours using the supplied SD card. Extra SD cards are available from RNIB (product codes DD30 to DD34)
connects easily via USB to your computer, allowing you to transfer MP3 files to the memory or SD card, quickly and easily
fully accessible with easy-to-see controls and voice prompts
battery life of up to 10 hours
charging takes approximately four hours
supplied with a 2GB SD memory card, battery charger, lanyard, USB cable and printed manual
one year warranty.

Dimensions: Width: 5.4cm, Depth: 8.5cm, Height: 1.4cm, Weight: 85 grams.

Milestone 312 DAISY player

The Milestone 312 DAISY player from Bones builds on the success of the popular Milestone 311 DAISY player. It retains its predecessors small size and shape but adds a host of new features. The text to speech program reads both your text files and the names of folders or files saved on the Milestone. It is also compatible with a wide range of music formats enabling you to copy your music straight to the Milestone. The Milestone 312 Pro also has an integrated RFID reader as part of the Speakout system which enables users to voice label various items around the home or office.

play DAISY 2.02 files and a variety of music formats including MP3, AAC, WMA and WAV as well as files from Audible
1GB internal storage provides storage space for your Daisy books, music and text files. SD card slot enables further storage to be added when required and additional SD memory cards are available from RNIB
built in high quality speaker and standard 3.5mm headphone jack
high quality microphone, optimised for voice recording together with noise filters to reduce unwanted back ground noise produces clear recordings and makes it perfect to record anything from shopping lists and telephone numbers to meetings and seminars. Recordings are made in MP3 format. It also has a microphone socket enabling you to use an external microphone
text to speech program (T T S) reads out your text files. The T T S program uses Acapela voices and has three pre-installed to give you a choice of voices. You can adjust the reading speed, skip through the file by screen, paragraph, sentence or word and also have individual words spelt out letter by letter
built-in FM radio with up to six preset channels and an alarm clock
supplied with 2GB SD memory card, leather case, mains charger, USB cable and lanyard
the Milestone 312 Pro has an integrated RFID reader that enables you to record voice labels for a range of RFID tags. The tags can then be attached to an object so when you hold the Milestone next to the object you will hear your voice label for that object.
there are a number of different types of RFID tags available for a number of different applications. They can be used to identify all sorts of items including medical packaging, freezer boxes, CD and record collections. The tags can be re-used again and again, simply record a new message over the old one.

Dimensions: Width: 5.4cm, Depth: 8.5cm, Height: 1.4cm, Weight: 85 grams.

Plextalk Pocket DAISY player recorder

A lightweight, pocket sized, DAISY and MP3 player with built-in microphone for DAISY book recording and voice note taking. It weighs just 110 grams and is similar in size to a mobile phone. You can make DAISY recordings and easily add heading levels which makes it perfect for meetings, lectures or seminars. Available in two colours; black with white keys and white with black keys.

plays DAISY audio books, MP3s, PCM music files. Record Daisy books with headings or simple voice notes in MP3
built-in text-to-speech engine converts Microsoft Word, text and HTML files into synthetic speech
SD memory card storage (2GB card included) for books, music and text files with support for cards up to 32GB
built-in speaker, microphone, headphone jack and line-in for use with an external microphone
USB port to connect the player to your PC. This port can also be used to access information on a memory stick or an external powered hard drive directly on the player. You can also transfer information from the player to the hard drive or flash memory
built-in rechargeable battery provides up to 10 hours of listening and eight hours of recording
supplied with 2GB SD memory card, 1GB USB memory stick pre-loaded with four example RNIB DAISY books, rechargeable battery, mains charger, earphones and USB cable
available in two colours; black case with white buttons and pearlescent white with black buttons
two year warranty.

Dimensions: Width: 5.5cm, Depth: 11.2cm, Height: 1.6cm, Weight: 110 grams.

BookSense portable DAISY player

The BookSense is a compact and lightweight portable DAISY player. This multi-function player is compatible with a wide range of audio formats including DAISY and MP3. It has a built-in text to speech engine which enables a wide range of electronic documents to be easily accessible.

play all types of DAISY formats including 2.0, 2.02, ANSI/NISO Z39.86 (DAISY 3.0), NLS, Bookshare and NIMAS 1.1
play various other audio files including MP3, MP4, WAV, WMA, WMV, OGG, ASF, FLAC, 3GP and Audible (AA and aax)
built-in high quality speaker and standard 3.5mm headphone jack. Check the time and date easily with a dedicated button that works even when it is switched off
high quality microphone to record anything from shopping lists and telephone numbers to meetings and seminars. Recordings are made in either MP3 or WAV format. It also has a 3.5mm microphone socket enabling you to use an external microphone
text to speech program (T T S) reads out your documents. Compatible with TXT, RTF, DOC, DOCX, HTML, XML, SML, BRL and BRF files. You can adjust the reading speed, skip through the file by screen, paragraph, sentence or word and also have individual words spelt out letter by letter
the detachable battery provides up to 12 hours continuous use
the BookSense T50 is supplied with a 2GB SD memory card, mains charger, USB cable, carry bag and lanyard and is only available in ruby red
the BookSense T50XT has more advanced features with a built-in radio, Bluetooth and 4GB internal memory. Supplied with an 8GB memory card, mains charger, USB cable, carry bag and lanyard and is only available in white.

Dimensions: Width: 4.8cm, Depth: 10.8cm, Height: 1.8cm, Weight: 115 grams.

Desktop players

Plextalk PTX1 DAISY player

This new player replaces the popular Plextalk PTN1 and heralds a new phase in the development of DAISY. It is similar in size and shape to its predecessor but the button size and layout has been changed to make them easier to distinguish and its use more intuitive.

A USB port and SD memory card slot provides users access to a wider range of reading material. The built-in memory provides an electronic bookshelf where users can store their favourite content. The PTX1 also has a text-to-speech programme which further expands the range of content that can be accessed.

listen to DAISY books, MP3 files or music CDs using the built-in speaker or with headphones (sold separately)
large, raised buttons contrast well against the grey base. They are also colour coded to highlight those needed most often. To help familiarise yourself with what each button does there is also an audible button describer mode. Our home technology volunteer service is also available to help customers familiarise themselves with new products
built-in memory provides storage space for your favourite books and music to provide an electronic bookshelf
USB port and SD card slot provides both extra storage options and enables users to listen to information provided on USB memory sticks, for example, talking newspapers. Add more storage to your player with an SD memory card which are also available from RNIB
variable play speed with pitch compensation enables you to speed up or slow down a book and alter the tone and pitch to compensate and make it sound more natural
mains or battery operated. Internal rechargeable battery provides up to five hours listening time. The sleep timer turns off the player after specified time
includes one years free subscription to RNIB's National Library Service (UK customers only
supplied with a pre-installed rechargeable battery and mains charger. Two year warranty
wired and wireless internet connectivity is built-in but is currently disabled. These functions will be enabled once the new services are launched and the new connectivity will allow books and other content to be delivered direct to the player over the internet.

Dimensions: Width: 22cm, Depth: 17.2cm, Height: 5.6cm, Weight: 2000 grams.

DAISY player easy pay pack

The DAISY player easy pay pack enables blind and partially sighted customers who are normally resident in the United Kingdom to pay for a DAISY player and their National Library Service membership for two years over a period of 24 months. It is only available to individuals, not organisations. Details about the National Library Service are under the section "Where can I get DAISY audio titles from?".

Plextalk PTR2 DAISY player and recorder

The Plextalk PTR2 DAISY player and recorder is a stylish, top of the range player and recorder allows stereo recording of meeting or conference sessions direct to CD or Compact Flash card. With a choice of using mains power or the high capacity battery, this player is ideal for use at home or for making recordings on location.

record up to 90 hours of meetings, conference sessions or interviews directly to a CD or Compact Flash card
customise your recording settings
built-in microphone, line in and microphone jack. The built-in automatic gain control (AGC) ensures that different inputs produce similar recordings
built-in book creator mode with editing functions or edit recordings using a computer and the included fully accessible Plextalk recording software
plays Daisy audio books, music CDs, MP3 CDs and wav format sound recordings through built-in stereo speaker or with headphones. Variable speed playback control (50 per cent to 300 per cent) without changing the pitch
capacity for up to 10,000 bookmarks or 30 minutes of voice annotations
calendar, on /off timer, calculator, clock and key describer function
supplied with a carry bag, 64MB Compact Flash card, USB cable, power adapter, rechargeable battery and a blank CD-R to get you started
two year warranty.

Dimensions: Width 16.7cm, Depth: 20.5cm, Height: 5cm, Weight: 940 grams

Victor Reader Classic DAISY players

The Victor Reader Classic DAISY player and the Victor Reader Classic X DAISY player share a number of features:

play DAISY audio books, music CDs and MP3 CDs
easy to operate with high contrast controls
variable speed controls and automatic pitch compensation allow you to speed up and slow down the speech without altering the tone and pitch of the voice
high quality digital sound from the built-in speaker or your headphones
operates on mains or up to 10 hours on rechargeable battery when playing DAISY audio books, or up to 25 hours when playing music CDs and MP3 CDs
four hours to fully charge battery
sleep timer function to conserve battery life
supplied with power adapter and rechargeable battery
two year warranty.

Dimensions: Width 23.7cm, Depth: 20.9cm, Height: 5.4cm, Weight 1100 grams

Victor Reader Classic X Plus Daisy player

The the successor to the popular Victor Classic Plus, the Victor Reader Classic X Plus Daisy player has extra features to help with more structured text books and reference material, making it ideal for schools, libraries and professionals. The numeric keypad allows you to jump to specific pages or numbered bookmarks, or move easily to chapter, section, page or paragraph. The player also has a key describer function that, once selected, will announce each button function when pressed.

DAISY software

EasyReader DAISY software

The EasyReader DAISY software turns your computer into a DAISY audio book player. It supports DAISY audio and text titles, allowing you to listen to the audio tracks and read the text on screen at the same time.

alter the font, colour and layout of the text, and highlight the current word, sentence or paragraph, bringing additional benefits to those with a print impairment
navigate a book by phrase, chapter, section or page number, or search for specific words or phrases in the text and jump straight to that point
add multiple bookmarks to reference specific sections or create your own text or voice notes
playback resumes from the place you finished
alter the playback speed and skip text elements such as page numbers and footnotes
simple to use and requires no training
can be controlled by a mouse or with easy keystrokes.

System requirements: Pentium II 400 MHz or faster processor, Windows 98SE, 2000, ME, XP and Vista. Requires CD-ROM drive, multimedia sound, speakers and microphone for creation of audio notes. Requires at least 64MB RAM, 50MB hard disk space, 16 bit graphic card or higher, 800 x 600 minimum monitor resolution and Internet Explorer 6 SP1 or later.

EasyProducer DAISY software

EasyProducer is a simple software tool for converting Microsoft Word documents into synchronised text and audio digital talking books, making it a practical solution for blind and partially sighted individuals, teachers, lecturers and employers who need to produce accessible reading material quickly and efficiently.

install the software onto your computer and EasyProducer is integrated into the Microsoft Word toolbar and menu bar
at the press of a key, EasyProducer will burn the title to CD for easy distribution and listening on the move
the structure of your Word document is preserved, allowing you to create your own points of navigation for quick reference
EasyProducer comes with the high quality Daniel RealSpeak synthesiser for producing audio files
simple to use and requires no training
can be controlled by a mouse or with easy keystrokes.

DAISY player accessories

Headphones

Our range of Sennheiser headphones, available from our Online Shop, will provide you with hours of comfortable listening with exceptional sound quality. All are compatible with our range of DAISY audio book players, as well as stereos, MP3 players and personal stereos.

Please note headphones are non returnable, unless faulty, for hygiene reasons. Headphones are VAT-able products and are listed in price order, lowest price first.

Memory Cards

The Milestone, Victor Stream and Plextalk PTR2 use memory cards for storage of books and music. RNIB has a range of memory cards in a variety of capacities. These are available from our Online Shop.

SD memory cards

SD memory cards are available in three sizes; two, four and eight gigabytes

CompactFlash memory cards

CompactFlash memory cards are available in three sizes; one, two and four gigabytes.

Further information

Visit the RNIB National Library Service pages for further information about DAISY audio titles.

Contact: shop@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 17 November 2009