Need Help from the Digital Media Savvy

**iravedic** · 07-08-09, 12:33 PM

My mother is Legally Blind, and enjoys nothing more then listening to books on tape. Her birthday is rapidly approaching and I thought it would be nice to get her books digitally.

I did the research and found a system that allows her to download books and then load them on an iPod. But the iPod has to meet specific requirements. I want to get her an iPod for her birthday but need to be sure and buy the right one.

Here are the relevant specs required:

Originally Posted by http://www.overdrive.com/software/omc/accessibility.asp#transfer-win-apple

To use OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks on a device, the device must be able to play MP3 files encoded at a bit rate of 64kbps or be able to transcode 64kbps files to a supported bit rate.

Originally Posted by http://www.overdrive.com/software/omc/accessibility.asp#transfer-win-apple

If you intend to transfer OverDrive Audiobooks to an Apple device using OverDrive Media Console, please note the following eight items:

OverDrive Media Console v3.0 or newer is required to transfer OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to Apple devices.

OverDrive Media Console v3.2 or newer is required to transfer OverDrive WMA Audiobooks to Apple devices.

iTunes v7.6.2.9 or newer and QuickTime v7.4.5 or newer must be installed.

iTunes v8.1.0.52 or newer is recommended when using the OverDrive Media Console Transfer Wizard to transfer audiobooks to the iPod shuffle. If you are using an older version of iTunes, you can use iTunes to transfer OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to the iPod shuffle.

The Apple device must be formatted for use with Microsoft Windows.

The setting 'Manually manage music…' must be enabled in iTunes before you can complete the transfer. For instructions on adjusting the 'Manually Manage Music…' setting for your Apple device, click here.
OverDrive WMA Audiobooks must be permitted by the publisher to be transferred to Apple devices.

OverDrive WMA Audiobooks cannot be transferred to first or second generation iPod shuffles. The third generation iPod shuffle supports the transfer of OverDrive WMA Audiobooks, where permitted by the publisher, using OverDrive Media Console v3.2 or newer. For instructions on determining whether an OverDrive WMA Audiobook can be transferred to an Apple device, click here.

Here are the best specs listed for the new iPod Shuffle:

Originally Posted by http://www.apple.com/ipodshuffle/specs.html

Audio formats supported: AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4), Apple Lossless, WAV, and AIFF

Originally Posted by http://www.apple.com/ipodshuffle/specs.html

Windows system requirements
PC with USB 2.0 port
Windows Vista or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 3 or later
iTunes 8.1 or later5

So can anyone help me understand and ensure that I am buying an iPod that will work with the audiobook program.

**DeusInnomen** · 07-08-09, 12:41 PM

Why not try Audible? http://www.audible.com/

To be more specific, Audible's audiobooks should work straight through iTunes, and they offer a subscription plan depending on how fast she listens to them. And I think that might hold true for other providers of audiobooks, unless they have weird DRM going on.

Other sites may offer simple MP3s, which you can use just like any other MP3.

**JBMCW2010** · 07-08-09, 12:48 PM

I've also seen a site that did free books, but they were more like the classics such as pride and prejudice and the like.

**Phyrelight** · 07-08-09, 12:48 PM

I would recommend something larger than a shuffle for audio books. Do you know the size of the audiobooks? I believe ipod shuffles start at 512mb and the newest can get up to 2GB. Not sure how much space an audio book takes up. keep in mind that with the shuffle I don't think you can actually control the track numbers, it shuffles them (or plays them in straight order only).

**iravedic** · 07-08-09, 01:29 PM

Deus - I looked at audilble.com, not that great a deal. Seems kinda like BMC Music 14.95/month after introductory to get 1 book a month.

Phyre - the new iPod Shuffle is 4GB so should hold enough.

This is a lady who 'reads' 3-4 audio books a week. So the public library is the way to go, its what she has always used and is comfortable with the selection - its free to boot.

The question is can anyone help me ensure that what I am planning on buying will work with the specs they have listed.