NLS makes available two models of digital talking-book players to its network of cooperating libraries for distribution to its readership. Both models—standard and advanced—are compatible with the ANSI/NISO Z39.86 and DAISY 2.0 standards for digital talking books. The players have rechargeable batteries and offer readers high-quality sound, advanced navigation, and variable speed controls. NLS players are available only to individuals who cannot see to read regular print or handle print materials and who are registered for the free library service. These individuals may choose to purchase commercial digital talking-book players that are also authorized to play NLS produced talking books and magazines. Some commercial digital players are available for other audiobook formats, but are not compatible with NLS materials.
This page shares basic information about each product, but capabilities and supported formats of players change frequently. It is therefore recommended that individuals verify features such as search functions, note-taking abilities, variable playback speeds and other features before purchasing. This page only addresses physical audiobook players. For information on mobile apps that can play NLS talking books and other audio materials, consult Accessible Mobile Reading Apps.
Contents
- NLS Digital Talking-Book Players
- Commercial Players Compatible with NLS Digital Talking Books
- Commercial Players Incompatible with NLS Digital Talking Books
- Where to Find Digital Audiobook Players and Additional Products
- Where to Find Books in Audio Format
Disclaimer
With the exception of the NLS Digital Standard Player and the NLS Digital Advanced Player, items listed in this page are not part of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) program. Their listing does not imply endorsement by NLS. Only the audiobook players developed by NLS and those listed in the section “Commercial Players Compatible with NLS Digital Talking Books” are compatible with NLS digital talking books. Prices frequently change and should be verified with the supplier before ordering.
Return of Equipment
Playback equipment and accessories are supplied to eligible persons on extended loan. If this equipment is not being used for reading recorded material provided by the Library of Congress and its cooperating libraries, please return it to the issuing agency.
NLS Digital Talking-Book Players
| Name | Digital Standard Player (DS1) |
|---|---|
| Producer | NLS |
| Price | Free to users of the talking-book service |
| Supports | NLS digital talking books, Learning Ally |
| Supported file formats | AMR-WB+, DAISY 2.02, MP3, MPEG, RIFF, WAV |
| Media | Flash memory |
| Features | Large buttons, braille letters alongside the controls, sleep timer, built-in audio instructions |
| Operation | Rechargeable battery |
| Size | 6.2″ x 8.8″ x 1.7″ |
| Weight | 2.52 lbs. |
| Distributor(s) | NLS cooperating libraries |
| Name | Digital Advanced Player (DA1) |
|---|---|
| Producer | NLS |
| Price | Free to users of the talking-book service |
| Supports | NLS digital talking books, Learning Ally |
| Supported file formats | AMR-WB+, DAISY 2.02, MP3, MPEG, RIFF, WAV |
| Media | Flash memory |
| Features | Large buttons, braille letters alongside the controls, sleep timer, built-in audio instructions, bookmarking and navigational controls |
| Operation | Rechargeable battery |
| Size | 6.2″ x 8.8″ x 1.7″ |
| Weight | 2.52 lbs. |
| Distributor(s) | NLS cooperating libraries |
Commercial Players Compatible with NLS Digital Talking Books
| Name | Apex Braille Note |
|---|---|
| Producer | Humanware |
| Price | $5,495.00 |
| Supports | Audible, Bookshare, Learning Ally, NLS digital braille books, NLS digital talking books |
| Supported file formats | AMR WB+, ASX, BRF, DAISY, DOC, DOCX, EPUB, HTML, M3U, MP3, OGG, OPML, PLS, TXT, WAV, WMA |
| Media | 8 GB internal memory |
| Features | Refreshable braille display (some models), QWERTY or braille keyboard, Windows CE and KeySoft operating systems, internal software, word processor, Wi-Fi capable |
| Operation | Rechargeable battery |
| Size | .78″ x 9.61″ x 5.63″ |
| Weight | 1.79 lbs. |
| Distributor(s) | Humanware |
| Name | Apex Voice Note |
|---|---|
| Producer | Humanware |
| Price | $1,995.00 |
| Supports | Audible, Bookshare, Learning Ally, NLS digital talking books |
| Supported file formats | AMR WB+, ASX, BRF, DAISY, DOC, DOCX, EPUB, HTML, M3U, MP3, OGG, OPML, PLS, TXT, WAV, WMA |
| Media | 8 GB internal memory |
| Features | QWERTY or braille keyboard, Windows CE and KeySoft operating systems, internal software, word processor, Wi-Fi capable |
| Operation | Rechargeable battery |
| Size | .78″ x 9.61″ x 5.63″ |
| Weight | 1.79 lbs. |
| Distributor(s) | Humanware |
| Name | Book Port DT |
|---|---|
| Producer | American Printing House for the Blind |
| Price | $449.00 |
| Supports | Bookshare, Learning Ally, NLS digital talking books |
| Supported file formats | AMR-WB+, DAISY, MP3, OGG, TXT, WAVE, WMA |
| Media | SD-memory card |
| Features | Ability to play NLS cartridges without an additional attachment; Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capable; built-in speaker and microphone; ability to create digital talking books using the device; supports up to 32 GB SD-memory card; USB port; CD-ROM containing software, books, and user guide; AC adaptor with braille label |
| Operation | Rechargeable battery |
| Size | 8.62″ x 6.69″ x 2.20″ |
| Weight | 2.86 lbs. |
| Distributor(s) | American Printing House for the Blind |
| Name | Book Port Plus Player and Recorder |
|---|---|
| Producer | American Printing House for the Blind |
| Price | $329.00 |
| Supports | Audible, Bookshare, Learning Ally, NFB-NEWSLINE, NLS digital talking books, podcasts, web radio |
| Supported file formats | AMR WB+, ASX, DAISY, DOC, DOCX, EPUB, HTML, M3U, MP3, OGG, OPML, PLS, TXT, WAV, WMA |
| Media | SD-memory card |
| Features | Speed, volume, and navigation controls; built-in speech and voice synthesizer; built-in speaker and microphone; automatic start and stop; supports up to 32 GB SD-memory card; USB port; CD-ROM containing software, books, and user guide; AC adaptor with braille label recording; automatic headings; allows bookmarks |
| Operation | Rechargeable battery |
| Size | 4.80″ x 2.1″ x 0.62″ |
| Weight | 3.9 oz. |
| Distributor(s) | American Printing House for the Blind |
| Name | BookSense |
|---|---|
| Producer | HIMS Inc. |
| Price | $299.00 |
| Supports | Audible, Bookshare, Learning Ally, NFB-NEWSLINE, NLS digital talking books, |
| Supported file formats | BRF, DAISY, DOC, HTML, MP3, OGG, PDF, RTF, TXT, WAV, WB+, WMA |
| Media | SD-memory card |
| Features | Allows bookmarks, built-in speech synthesizer, internal stereo speaker and stereo microphone, reads in two voices (male and female), sleep timer, alarm clock, supports stereo and Bluetooth headset, voice controlled |
| Operation | Rechargeable battery pack or AC adapter (included) |
| Size | 4.25″ x 1.85″ x 0.75″ |
| Weight | .25 lbs. |
| Distributor(s) | HIMS, Independent Living Aids, MaxiAids |
| Name | BookSense DS |
|---|---|
| Producer | HIMS Inc. |
| Price | $199.00 |
| Supports | Audible, Bookshare, Learning Ally, NFB-NEWSLINE, NLS digital talking books |
| Supported file formats | 3GP, ASF, BRF, DAISY, FLAC, MP3, MP4, OGG, TXT, WAV, WMA, WMV |
| Media | 4 GB internal memory |
| Features | Allows bookmarks; built-in speech synthesizer, microphone, and FM radio; records in MP3 format; reads in two voices; voice controlled |
| Operation | Rechargeable battery pack or AC adapter (included) |
| Size | 1.77″ x 0.63″ x 3.82″ |
| Weight | 0.143 lbs. |
| Distributor(s) | Independent Living Aids |
| Name | BookSense XT |
|---|---|
| Producer | HIMS Inc. |
| Price | $449.00 |
| Supports | Audible, Bookshare, Learning Ally, NFB-NEWLINE, NLS digital talking books |
| Supported file formats | BRF, BRL, DAISY, DOC, DOCX, HTML, M4A, MP3, MP4, OGG, WAV, WAX, WMA, XML |
| Media | 8 GB SD-memory card (included) |
| Features | Allows bookmarks; built-in speech synthesizer, internal stereo speaker, FM radio, and stereo microphone; 4 GB internal memory; reads in two voices (male and female); sleep timer; alarm clock; supports stereo and Bluetooth headset |
| Operation | Rechargeable battery pack or AC adapter (included) |
| Size | 1.85″ x 4.25″ x 0.72″ |
| Weight | 0.143 lbs. |
| Distributor(s) | Independent Living Aids |
| Name | Braille Sense U2 |
|---|---|
| Producer | HIMS Inc. |
| Price | $5,595.00 |
| Supports | Audible, Bookshare, NLS digital braille books, NLS digital talking books |
| Supported file formats | AC3, AMR-WB+, ANSI/NISO Z39.86, ASF, ASX, BRF, BRL, DAISY, DOC, DOCX, EPUB, FLAC, HBL, HPF, HTML, M3U, MP2, MP3, NIMAS 1.1, OGG, PDF, PLS, RTF, URL, TXT, WAV, WAX, WMA, WMV, ZIP |
| Media | 256 MB RAM; 36 GB flash |
| Features | Perkins-style braille input, Windows CE operating system, video output, internal microphone, internal GPS, FM radio, carrying case, earbuds, file manager, Excel viewer, word processor, Dropbox capability, schedule manager, address manager, scientific calculator, database manager, YouTube streaming capability, Media Player FM Radio, built-in web browser, e-mail capability, RSS reader, Google Talk capability, Twitter-reading capability |
| Operation | Rechargeable battery |
| Size | 9.8″ x 5″ x 1.5″ |
| Weight | 2 lbs. |
| Distributors | HIMS, Beyond Sight |
| Name | Braille Sense U2 Mini |
|---|---|
| Producer | HIMs Inc. |
| Price | $3,995.00 |
| Supports | Audible, Bookshare, Learning Ally, NLS digital braille books, NLS digital talking books |
| Supported file formats | ASF, BRF, BRL, DAISY, DOC, DOCX, EPUB, FLAC, HBL, HTML, M3U, M4A, MID, MP3, MP4, NIMAS, OGG, PDF, PLS, RTF, TXT, WAV, WMA, WMV, XLS, XLSX, XML |
| Media | 32 GB Flash |
| Features | Perkins-style braille input, video output, Windows-based operating system, YouTube streaming capability, Excel viewer, RSS reader, Twitter-reading capability, built-in GPS and compass, word processor, external media controls, IMAP and POP3 e-mail access, online assistance |
| Operation | Rechargeable battery |
| Size | 6.7″ x 3.5″ x 1.0″ |
| Weight | 0.93 lbs. |
| Distributors | HIMS, Beyond Sight |
| Name | Braille Sense U2 QWERTY |
|---|---|
| Producer | HIMS Inc. |
| Price | $5,595.00 |
| Supports | Audible, Bookshare, NLS digital braille books, NLS digital talking books |
| Supported file formats | AC3, ASF, ASX, AMR-WB+, ANSI/NISO Z39.86, BRF, BRL, DAISY, DOC, DOCX, EPUB, HBL, HPF, HTML, M3U, MP2, MP3, NIMAS 1.1, OGG, PDF, PLS, RTF, URL, TXT, WAV, WAX, WMA, WMV, FLAC, ZIP |
| Media | Internal RAM memory, flash memory |
| Features | Qwerty keyboard, Windows CE operating system, video output, internal microphone, internal GPS, FM radio, carrying case, earbuds, file manager, Excel viewer, word processor, Dropbox capability, schedule manager, address manager, scientific calculator, database manager, YouTube streaming capability, Media Player FM Radio, built-in web browser, e-mail capability, RSS reader, Google Talk capability, Twitter-reading capability |
| Operation | Rechargeable battery |
| Size | 9.8″ x 6.2″ x 0.8″ |
| Weight | 2 lbs. |
| Distributors | HIMS, Beyond Sight |
| Name | GuideReader Pod |
|---|---|
| Producer | Dolphin Computer Access (Irie-AT) |
| Price | $595.00 |
| Supports | Bookshare, CELA, NFB-NEWSLINE, NLS digital braille books, NLS digital talking books, Project Gutenberg, epubBooks |
| Supported file formats | DAISY, EPUB |
| Media | 64 GB (32Gb in the pod and 32Gb on the Micro SD) |
| Features | Pod plugs directly into TV. Access books with a remote control. |
| Operation | AC adaptor |
| Size | Pod: 3.85″ ×3.85″ × 0.90″ Remote: 5.74″ × 1.53″ × 0.80″ |
| Weight | Pod: 8.67 oz. Remote: 1.45 oz. |
| Distributor(s) | Irie-AT |
| Name | Milestone 312 Voice Recorder and MP3 Player |
|---|---|
| Producer | Bones |
| Price | $449.00 |
| Supports | Audible, Learning Ally, NLS digital talking books |
| Supported file formats | AA, AAC, AAX, DAISY, MP3, WMA, WAV, TXT |
| Media | 1 GB internal memory |
| Features | Bar-code scanner, color identifier, ear buds, internal memory, FM radio, alarm clock, sleep timer, six voices, eight languages, internal speaker, allows bookmarks, USB cable, male and female voices, built-in microphone, text-to-speech software, voice recorder, supports up to 32 GB SD-memory card |
| Operation | Rechargeable battery or AC adapter (included) |
| Size | 3.35″ x 2.13″ x 0.55″ |
| Weight | 1.7 oz. |
| Distributor(s) | Enablemart, Independent Living Aids, Innovative Rehabilitation Technology, LS&S, MaxiAids, Perkins Products |
| Name | Plextalk Pocket |
|---|---|
| Producer | Shinano Kenshi |
| Price | $349.00 |
| Supports | Audible, Bookshare, NLS digital talking books |
| Supported file formats | ADPCM2, AMR-WB+, BRF, BRL, DOC, DOCX, DAISY, HTML, MP3, PCM, OGG, TXT, WAVE, WMA |
| Media | SD-memory card |
| Features | Allows bookmarks, built-in speaker and microphone, supports up to 32 GB SD-memory card, sleep timer |
| Operation | Rechargeable battery or AC adapter (included) |
| Size | 4.4″ x 2.2″ x 6″ |
| Weight | 3.9 oz. |
| Distributor(s) | AbleZone Inc., Access Ingenuity, Active Forever, Adaptive Information Systems Incorporated, A.T. Kratter Co., Blinksoft Inc., Boundless Assistive Technology, Cadan Computers, Cohen Technologies Inc., E.M.VITU Inc., EnableMart, Ferguson Technologies Inc., Freedom Scientific, Independent Living Aids, Innovative Rehabilitation Technology Inc., Learning Ally, LS&S LLC., MaxiAids, Perkins Products, PLEXTALK, Serotek Corporation, The Sound Professionals Inc., Woodlake Technologies Inc. |
| Name | Plextalk PTR2 DAISY Player and Recorder |
|---|---|
| Producer | Shinano Kenshi |
| Price | $995.00 |
| Supports | Learning Ally, NLS digital talking books |
| Supported file formats | ADPCM2, DAISY, MP2, MP3, PCM |
| Media | Compact-flash memory card (included) and CD |
| Features | Allows bookmarks, built-in speaker and microphone, sleep timer, tools to record and edit DAISY books, removable cover to access advanced navigation keys |
| Operation | Rechargeable battery or AC adapter (included) |
| Size | 8.07″ x 6.5″ x 1.96″ |
| Weight | 2.07 lbs. |
| Distributor(s) | EnableMart, Innovative Rehabilitation Technology Inc., Learning Ally |
| Name | Plextalk PTN2 |
|---|---|
| Producer | Shinano Kenshi |
| Price | $375.00 |
| Supports | Audible, Learning Ally, NLS digital talking books |
| Supported file formats | AMR-WB+, DAISY, DOC, MP3, OGG, TXT, WAVE, WMA |
| Media | CD, USB, SD |
| Features | Numeric keypad, built-in speakers, sleep timer, key describer, mask for the keypad |
| Operation | Rechargeable battery |
| Size | 8.62″ x 6.69″ x 2.2″ |
| Weight | 3 lbs. |
| Distributor(s) | EnableMart, Innovative Rehabilitation Technology Inc., Learning Ally |
| Name | Victor Reader Stream |
|---|---|
| Producer | Humanware |
| Price | $369.00 |
| Supports | Audible, Bookshare, NFB-NEWSLINE, NLS digital talking books |
| Supported file formats | AMR-WB+, BRF, DAISY, DOCX, EPUB, HTML, MP4-AAC, FLAC, MP3, OGG, SPEEX, TXT, WAV, XML |
| Media | SD-memory card |
| Features | Wi-Fi capable, Internet radio, built-in clock, allows bookmarks, built-in speech synthesizer and microphone, flexible speed and tone controls, built-in user guide |
| Operation | Rechargeable battery |
| Size | 4.5″ x 2.4″ x 0.7″ |
| Weight | 3.9 oz. |
| Distributor(s) | EnableMart, Humanware, Independent Living Aids |
| Name | Victor Reader Stratus |
|---|---|
| Producer | Humanware |
| Price | $455.00 |
| Supports | Learning Ally, NLS digital talking books |
| Supported file formats | DAISY, MP3, Z39.86 |
| Media | CD, flash |
| Features | Large buttons, sleep timer, bookmarking ability, built-in user guide, carrying handle, speaker and headphone jack |
| Operation | Rechargeable battery |
| Size | 8.7″ x 8.5″ x 1.9″ |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs. |
| Distributors | EnableMart, Humanware |
Commercial Players Incompatible with NLS Digital Talking Books: ClassMate Reader, DM-4 Audio Recorder/Player, and Tomboy Digital Talking Book Player
Where to Find Digital Audiobook Players and Additional Products
AbleZone, Inc.
3456 Rochester Rd.
Troy, MI 48083
866-663-2253 toll-free
[email protected] 
www.ablezone.com External
Access Ingenuity
3635 Montgomery Dr.
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
877-579-4380 toll-free
www.accessingenuity.com External
Active Forever
10799 North 90th St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
(480) 767-6800
Or
9299 West Olive Ave., Suite 604
Peoria, AZ 85345
(623) 215-8470
800-377-8033 toll-free
[email protected]
www.activeforever.com External
Adaptive Information Systems Incorporated
1611 Clover Ln.
Janesville, WI 53545
(608) 758-0933
877-792-4768 toll-free
www.adaptiveinformation.org External
American Printing House for the Blind
1839 Frankfort Ave.
Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 895-2405
800-223-1839 toll-free
[email protected]
www.aph.org External
A.T. Kratter & Company, Inc.
12062 Valley View St., #109
West Garden Grove, CA 92845
(714) 799-3000
www.atkratter.com External
Boundless Assistive Technology
Boundless AT Sales Office
6455 SW Lakeview Blvd., Suite A
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
866-606-8551 toll-free
[email protected]
www.boundlessat.com External
Beyond Sight, Inc.
5650 S. Windermere St.
Littleton, CO 80120
(303) 795-6455
www.beyondsight.com External
Cadan Assistive Technologies
4131 Old Sibley Memorial Hwy., #200
Eagan, MN 55122
(651) 457-3534
800-370-0047 toll-free
[email protected]
www.tfeinc.com External
Cohen Technologies Inc.
2 North William St.
Pearl River, NY 10965
800-228-7798 toll-free
www.lvpshop.com/store External
E.M.VITU, Inc.
299-B Peterson Rd.
Libertyville, IL 60048
888-367-4004
www.emvitu.com External
EnableMart
School Health Corporation
Customer Service
865 Muirfield Dr.
Hanover Park, IL 60133
888-640-1999 toll-free
www.EnableMart.com External
Ferguson Technologies Inc.
205 Joliet Ave. SE
De Smet, SD 57231
605-854-9280 toll-free
[email protected]
www.fergusontechnologiesinc.net External
Freedom Scientific
11800 31st Ct. North
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
(727) 803-8000
800-444-4443 toll-free
www.freedomscientific.com External
HIMS Inc.
4616 West Howard Ln., Suite 960
Austin, TX 78728
888-520-4467 toll-free
[email protected]
Humanware
1 UPS Way
PO Box 800
Champlain, NY 12919
800-722-3393 toll-free
[email protected]
www.Humanware.com External
Independent Living Aids
137 Rano Rd.
Buffalo, NY 14207
800-537-2118 toll-free
855-746-7452 toll-free
www.independentliving.com External
Innovative Rehabilitation Technology Inc. (IRTI)
13453 Colfax Hwy.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 274-2090
800-322-4784 toll-free
[email protected]
http://store.irti.net External
Irie-AT
1750 SW Third St., Ste. C
Corvallis OR 97333
888-308-0059 toll-free
[email protected]
https://irie-at.com External
LS&S, LLC
145 River Rock Dr.
Buffalo, NY 14207
(716) 348-3500
800-468-4789 toll-free
www.lssproducts.com External
MaxiAids
42 Executive Blvd.
Farmingdale, NY 11735
(631) 752-0521
800-522-6294 toll-free
www.maxiaids.com External
Perkins Products
37 Fifield St.
Watertown, MA 02472
(617) 972-7308
[email protected]
www.perkinsproducts.org External
PLEXTALK
6065 Bristol Pkwy.
Culver City, CA 90230
(310) 693-7600
[email protected]
www.plextalk.com External
Serotek Corporation
43 Main St. SE, Suite 508
Minneapolis, MN 55414
866-202-0520 toll-free
www.serotek.com External
The Sound Professionals Inc.
3444 Sylon Blvd.
Hainesport, NJ 08036
(609) 267-4400
800-213-3021 toll-free
[email protected]
www.soundprofessionals.com External
Woodlake Technologies, Inc.
666 West Hubbard St.
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 733-9800
[email protected]
www.woodlaketechnologies.com External
Where to Find Books in Audio Format
Audible
One Washington Park
Newark, NJ 07102
888-283-5051 toll-free (U.S. and
Canada only)
(973) 820-0400 (International)
www.audible.com External
Audible is a commercial audiobook vendor.
Bookshare
480 South California Ave., Suite 201
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 352-0198
(650) 475-1066 fax
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.bookshare.org External
Bookshare provides digital books free to all U.S. students with qualifying disabilities, as well as to other qualifying individuals for a membership fee. Books are available for download in audio and braille formats.
Learning Ally
20 Roszel Rd.
Princeton, NJ 08540
(609) 750-1830 studio line
866-732-3585 toll-free main line
[email protected]
www.learningally.org External
Learning Ally is a private, nonprofit organization that lends recorded textbooks and other educational materials to people who cannot read regular print because of visual, perceptual, or other physical disabilities. It requires a registration fee and an annual membership fee.
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS)
Library of Congress
1291 Taylor St. NW
Washington, DC 20542
(202) 707-5100
800-424-8567
(202) 707-0712 fax
(202) 707-0744 TTY
[email protected]
www.loc.gov/nls
NLS is a free service of the Library of Congress that provides braille and talking books to patrons with documented visual or physical disabilities that prevent them from reading regular print. Materials and equipment are circulated through a network of cooperating libraries and made available online through the Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) site or the BARD Mobile iOS app.