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Tools & Services

a2digital

a2digital is available from Nota and features:

  • Real time 8x audio input speed in 8 channels per digitization station.
  • Beep index tone detection with support for 1-6 connected tones.
  • Speech pause detection.
  • Fast synchronisation of page numbers.
  • Synthetic speech for generation of announcements for book number and missing pages.
  • Sound files in WAVE PCM and MP3.
  • DTBs in DAISY 2.02 and NISO Z39.86-2002.
  • Sound files in WAVE PMC format on master CDs.
  • DTB with MP3 sound files on distribution CDs.
  • Automatic labelling of CDs with title, book number, barcode etc.

For more information, please contact Nota.

Acapela Group

Acapela Group Logo

Acapela Group gives a voice to different products and services by inventing voice solutions to let the content speak for itself. Acapela Group enriches user interfaces in a natural and intuitive way with the help of their latest technologies. Acapela has a long and rich history of focusing on accessibility issues. The company remains deeply involved in improving the daily life of thousands of users around the globe. Acapela Text-to-Speech demo.

AEL Data

AEL Data was established 2001 by a group of IT professionals with several decades of experience in IT and data conversion. AEl Data produces DAISY talking books from any source - printed text, microfilms or digital images.


For more information, please visit the official website for AEL Data.

AMIS (Adaptive Multimedia Information System)

AMIS Logo

AMIS is free open source DAISY playback software developed by the DAISY Consortium.

Highlights of AMIS include its self-voicing interface, playback rate control, text searching and bookmarking, reading options, and page style customization. AMIS is available in multiple languages.

AMIS runs on Windows and supports DAISY 2.02 and DAISY/NISO-2005 books. Learn more about AMIS, DAISY Software Player and download AMIS 3.1.1 at the AMIS project page on the DAISY Consortium website.

ANSI/NISO Z39.86 Validator - ZedVal

ZedVal Logo

ZedVal, also known as the ANSI/NISO Z39.86 Validator, is a DAISY 3 content validator. It is an open source development project, and is available free of charge to everyone. It is designed to validate Audio NCX books to support their conformance with DAISY 3, officially the ANSI/NISO Z39.86 Standard.

Visit the ANSI/NISO Z39.86 Validator - ZedVal development site to download this software.


Latest Release:

ZedVal 2.0.1 2008-05-26

Support is now included for DTBook 2005-3. Several bug fixes are also included.


For more information, please visit the official website for ANSI/NISO Z39.86 Validator - ZedVal.

Book Wizard Producer

Book Wizard Producer Logo

Book Wizard Producer by APH is full-featured production software that provides options for both original recording and import of existing audio and HTML text files. When you create a digital talking book with Book Wizard Producer, the program uses the DAISY/NISO Z39.86-2002 format. Book Wizard Producer provides options for both original recording and import of existing audio and HTML text files.


For more information, please visit the official website for Book Wizard Producer.

Book Wizard Reader

Book Wizard Reader logo

Book Wizard Reader, software from the American Printing House for the Blind (APH), offers users the ability to read both DAISY 2.02 and DAISY 3, ANSI/NISO Z39.86-2002 digital talking books. Review the manual, download a demonstration copy, or purchase the software by going to the Website.


For more information, please visit the official website for Book Wizard Reader.

BookPort Plus

BookPort Plus

Main features:

  • Stylish design
  • Large, easily distinguishable keys
  • Embedded Text-to-speech for speaking the contents of computer files
  • Accessible interface
  • Built-in speaker and microphone
  • Rechargeable battery (recharges with AC or USB)
  • Plays Digital Talking Books, audio, and different text formats
  • Supports high capacity SD cards up to 32 GB
  • Flexible file structure. It requires no special file or folder names
  • Creates Digital Talking Books from recordings made on the device
  • Can automatically start and stop recording based on sound levels
  • Can automatically add headings to recordings
  • Plays books from NLS, RFBD (now Learning Ally), and Bookshare

More information is available on the American Printing House for the Blind website.


Latest Release:

BookPort Plus Firmware Version 5.03 2011-06-16

Main improvement: BookPort Plus starts taking advantage of the wireless network hardware built into every Book Port Plus player. More information is available on the American Printing House for the Blind website.

BookSense DS

BookSense DS

The BookSense DS is the choice for educators, students, people with neuropathy, and any blind or visually impaired person who wants to easily access music, books and documents. The BookSense DS is easy to carry and easy to handle. BookSense supports DAISY 2.0/2.02, ANSI/NISO Z39.86 (DAISY 3.0), NIMAS1.1 as well as NLS, Bookshare.org, Serotec(SAMNet), RFB&D, EPUB and Open Library content.


Latest Release:

BookSense DS 2011-02-16 The BookSense DS is a smaller, lighter BookSense containing all the intuitive and powerful programming included in the previous BookSense models with the addition of a small OLED screen for visual verification of where you are in a file or folder list and highlighting of text as you read. More information can be found on the HIMS website.

BookSense XT

BookSense Player
BookSense plays various types of audio and DAISY content as well as NLS, Learning Ally and Bookshare books. BookSense supports variety of document formats: txt, rtf, doc, docx, html, brl, brf. BookSense features quality recording and one touch date and time checking. BookSense XT comes with Bluetooth, FM radio and built in 4GB flash memory. More information is available on the official BookSense website.

Latest Release:

BookSense XT Version 2.3 2011-10-21 BookSense XT interactive voice recognition (IVR) capability significantly simplifies access to digital media and document formats. BookSense software upgrade to Version 2.3 is available at no cost from the HIMS website.

Bookshare

Bookshare™ is free for all U.S. students with qualifying disabilities. Bookshare offers more than 60,000 digital books, textbooks, teacher-recommended reading, periodicals and assistive technology tools. Read one of the Bookshare user stories.


For more information, please visit the official website for Bookshare.

Braille Sense OnHand

Braille Sense OnHand

The Braille Sense OnHand is the smallest and lightest Braille notetaker offering a crisp and responsive 18 cell refreshable Braille display. The Braille Sense OnHand is also the first Braille notetaker to boast a built-in digital compass and GPS receiver making it an ideal way-finding and orientation solution. Boost your productivity, stay connected and travel with confidence using the portable yet powerful Braille Sense OnHand. The Braille Sense OnHand gives you the ability to play music, read DAISY books, record meetings directly in MP3 format and listen to the FM radio. More information is available on the BrailleSense OnHand page.


Latest Release:

Braille Sense OnHand 2010-09-23 The front panel media buttons give users quick and easy access to the functions of a Media Player, FM Radio and DAISY player while they are on-the-go. The Braille Sense OnHand also includes a dictionary, scientific calculator, terminal for screen reader, instant messaging client, and a database manager.

Bruno – Fileset Generator

Bruno is an application that generates ready-to-record DAISY filesets (a DAISY project) from valid source document input.

After the generation is complete, the DAISY project can be opened in a DAISY production tool and the audio can be recorded.

Bruno bypasses the "project setup wizard" features that exist in a number of DAISY production tools, and at the same time provides a number of benefits to producers:

  • Project generation is fast. Less time is actually required to generate a DAISY project for recording.
  • It is easy to use. Getting a valid and nicely synchronized DTB does not require mastering complex techniques or multiple process steps. For example, with Bruno, no MDF editing or customizing is required as can be the case in some project generation wizards.
  • Fileset integrity and well-formedness are maintained. Both simple and complex markup are handled equally well.

Dwonload Bruno - Fileset Generator

ButtercupReader

ButtercupReader logo

Web-based DAISY player ButtercupReader makes DAISY multimedia available to anyone with a browser. First you need to install Silverlight 2. Enables Text-to-Speech and Self Voicing (Internet Explorer only). ButtercupReader uses the Microsoft Speech API (SAPI) to enable self-voicing through text-to-speech. For this to work within your browser you will need to make a small change to your security settings. It is an early demo of a web based application which enables you to read, listen to and navigate through DAISY digital talking books online.


Latest Release:

ButtercupReader 2009-03-18

It is an early demo of a web based application which enables users to read, listen to and navigate through DAISY 3 digital talking books online.

Project ButtercupReader was developed by software firm Intergen in conjunction with Microsoft. It provides a showcase of the use of Microsoft Silverlight to build rich and accessible browser based applications. Intergen worked closely with Adaptive Technology experts from the Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind to ensure that ButtercupReader provided a highly accessible experience for users with a wide range of print disabilities.

More information is available on the ButtercupReader project website.

Coral Hub Ltd

Coral Hub is a well established service provider for Data Digitization, Conversion and e-Publishing. They work with Publishers, NGO's, Corporate and Government Institutions. Coral Hub is skilled in providing services to NGO's for Blind and Visually Impaired and institutions like RNIB and CNIB. Services offered include DAISY, Braille and Audio Books Conversion as well as Large Print Conversion.

CSS for DTBook [basic]

A CSS stylesheet that may be used with DTBook documents is located at www.daisy.org/z3986/2005/dtbook.2005.basic.css. This CSS is supported and maintained by the Z39.86 committee. You may modify and redistribute it, but please consider donating enhancements back to the source.

DAISY / EPUB Reader for Android

This is a collaborative project to create an open-source electronic book reader that will support various formats including DAISY and EPUB content. Currently the software is limited to supporting DAISY 2.02 format 'Talking Books'. DAISY / EPUB reader requires a minimum of version 1.5 of Android (also known as 'cupcake'). When the application is installed on a device with version 1.6 or later with TalkBack installed, the navigation of files and folders on the SD card is spoken. The application can be downloaded from the Downloads section of the project site: http://code.google.com/p/android-daisy-epub-reader/downloads/list.

DAISY 2.02 Regenerator

The DAISY Regenerator is a software tool designed to enable organizations to repair and upgrade existing DAISY 2.0 and 2.02 DTBs.

The tool takes a DAISY 2.0 or 2.02 DTB as input, and performs a series of operations on it in order to output a valid DAISY 2.02 DTB.

Features include:

  • Conversion of HTML and SMIL files to valid XML
  • Fixes of reoccuring errors and inconsistencies that existed in the output of early versions of production tools
  • Ability to rename files sequentially (so that they play in order in MP3 players)

Why use the Regenerator?

  • Because the elimination of possible errors will yield a better experience for the end user reading the DAISY 2.02 DTB.
  • Because a valid DAISY 2.02 DTB is future safe. Only valid DAISY 2.02 DTBs are guaranteed to be upgradeable to the DAISY 3 standard. In this respect, the Regenerator may be regarded as an organization's "Swiss Army knife" of longevity.

The Regenerator works together with the DAISY 2.02 Validator. After regeneration has been done, the DTB can be automatically validated, to ensure that no errors or inconsistencies remain.

 

Download DAISY 2.02 Regenerator

DAISY 2.02 Validator

During the validation process, the software applies a series of conformance tests to the DTB. It compares the data in the DAISY content to the requirements and recommendations of the DAISY 2.02 Specification. The Validator is testing for two things: if the DAISY DTB is readable (if it will play correctly), and if it is conformant. In conformance testing, possible violations to specifications are checked, regardless of their impact on the readability of the book. For example, information (metadata) such as book identifier or author are mandatory in the Specification.

The results of the validation process are divided into two groups: errors and warnings. For details about the DAISY 2.02 Validator, please read its manual carefully.

The DAISY 2.02 Validator is developed in an open source context.

 

Download DAISY 2.02 Validator

DAISY Basic Training Manual

DAISY Training Manual for DAISY Members using LpStudioPro & SigtunaDAR.

Note: The download link only appears if you are logged in and are associated with a DAISY Member Organization.

See our FAQ on Accessing Member Only Content.

Download Links:

DAISY Basic Training Manual

DAISY Glossary

A comprehensive DAISY Glossary of terms has been compiled and is being updated as of Winter 2009-2010.

Older versions are available as listed below, or search the DAISY site for 'glossary'.

DAISY Mark-up Service (DMS)

xml-text logo

The Daisy mark-up service (DMS) from xml-tekst in Denmark is a web-based tool, that will insert mark-up automatically, based on just a few markers inserted by the user in a word document from a scanner.

After the first upload of the document, DMS will return the original document with

  • correct mark-up of all page numbers (both roman numbers in front and arabic numbers)
  • mark-up of all headings
  • mark-up of images
  • mark-up of all special text (italic, bold and underline)

The user can apply corrections and the remaining mark-up in the document. After a second upload of the corrected document, DMS will return an xml-file in the DTBook format. Individual users can use the service free of charge. Large-scale users will have to negotiate a small fee per page. More information is available on the xml-tekst website.

DAISY Pipeline

DAISY Pipeline Logo

(formerly DMFC - the DAISY MultiFormat Converter)

DAISY production is being implemented in more organizations and companies around the world at an ever increasing rate, and the DAISY Standards continue to evolve. To meet the resulting production and conversion demands, the DAISY Consortium has hosted the development of the DAISY Pipeline, a suite of cross platform tools designed to meet these needs and to support both production and distribution.

The DAISY Pipeline is a DTB and XML-oriented transformation pipeline designed to be used in both server-side and desktop environments.

Technical documentation and the latest downloads are available from Sourceforge at http://daisymfc.sourceforge.net/#dl.


Latest Release:

DAISY Pipeline Release Candidate (20110317-RC) 2011-03-17

Additional information and links are available in the DAISY Pipeline Project area of the DAISY Web site, plus the Pipeline Development area on SourceForge.

DAISY Producer

DAISY Producer was developed by Christian Egli from the Swiss Library for the Blind and Visually Impaired. It is a system for managing the production process of accessible media. It assumes that users are transforming the content from hard copy or any electronic format to DTBook XML. Once users have the DTBook XML, the DAISY Pipeline and liblouis can be used to generate DAISY Talking Books, Large Print and Braille in a fully automated way. Documentation and download are available on the DAISY Producer website.


For more information, please visit the official website for DAISY Producer.

DAISY Skippability Tweaker

The optional features described in the DAISY 2.02, have not yet been implemented in all production tools or in playback systems. Several Members of the DAISY Consortium serving students have been extremely vocal about the need for this feature.

These technical individuals in collaboration with the technical DAISY staff have developed a strategy to implement these features that is completely independent of LpStudio/Pro or Sigtuna DAR.

Organizations who wish to implement these features would be required to include additional markup in their source files and to use a post processing tool - The Skippability Tweaker - on the completed project to add this functionality.

The Skippability Tweaker supports adding these features to both NCC-Only and Full Text DTBs. Supported skippable structures are pagenumbers, sidebars, producer notes and footnotes.

Download Links:

Skippability Tweaker


For more information, please visit the official website for DAISY Skippability Tweaker.

DAISY Spy

DAISY Spy is available to Members of the DAISY Consortium. It will scan the file-system for DAISY-projects, collecting useful information about each project during this process. The software will maintain a record for each project and can display the "history" of a project. The Spy is a filter for the project display, so that only projects satisfying various criteria will be displayed. Such criteria can be project size, level of completeness, date of last recording, DAISY format, required meta-data, etc.

By using this software, you can get answers to questions such as:

  • are there any projects not being narrated during the last week?
  • is a specific narrator(s) involved in any projects at the moment?
  • are there any projects that could need a clean-up?
  • and more.

DAISY Spy also offers a statistics part, giving numbers for average playback time, production time, project size, number of pages, the ratio of production time to playback time etc, etc, for the current productions, or for the projects completed during the last week, month, or year, etc.

DAISY Spy gives you the answers to questions you did not even think to ask. A beta is available for download now, from the DAISY Spy Website. Contact Per Sennels: per.sennels (at) statped.no.


For more information, please visit the official website for DAISY Spy.

DaisyWorm App for the Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod touch

DaisyWorm Logo

DaisyWorm, developed by the Association for the Blind of Western Australia is a DAISY digital talking book playback app for the Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. This application can be used to play books from the Association for the Blind of Western Australia library as well as other talking book libraries worldwide. DaisyWorm supports the playback of non-encrypted DAISY 2.02, DAISY/NISO z3986 audio only and full text full audio books. For support in using DaisyWorm please contact developers at dtb(at)guidedogswa.com.au. DaisyWorm can be purchased from the Apple iTunes Store.

Darwin DAISY Reader App

Darwin Reader Logo

Darwin Reader presents numerous options to tailor the application to your specific needs. Users can change the font and background color, text size, font spacing, voice speed, punctuation speech, and much more. Darwin Reader fully supports DAISY 2.02 and DAISY 3.0 formats - read full-text, full-audio, and combined books.


Latest Release:

Darwin DAISY Reader App for Android: Version 1.21 2012-01-11 This app is completely navigable with the arrow keys. All menus are vocalized. Users with dyslexia and other print disabilities can quickly navigate by tapping the stylized graphics on the screen. The Darwin Reader integrates with Benetech Bookshare and Librivox. It is available for purchase on the Android Market.

Dolphin Publisher

Dolphin Logo

Dolphin Publisher is the premier tool for creating professional DAISY digital talking books with human narration or synthetic voices.


Latest Release:

Dolphin Publisher Version 3.01 2010-10-18 Improvements: A number of new input formats are included in version 3.01, as well as the option to output DAISY 3 in addition to DAISY 2.02. Details are available on the Dolphin Publisher page on the Dolphin Computer Access website.

For more information, please visit the official website for Dolphin Publisher.

Dolphin's SuperNova Access Suite

Dolphin Logo

Features speech and Braille access to Microsoft Office 2010, iTunes 10 and Adobe Reader have received substantial performance and usability improvements. V12 also comes with updated documentation for using SuperNova with popular Microsoft Office 2010 applications. Dolphin's commitment to Braille output and input continues with new and updated Braille tables.

The new Dolphin Launch Pad offers convenient access to popular services: podcasts, radio stations, News feeds, dictionary look-up and walking directions. All of this can be read with the new more responsive, Vocalizer Text To Speech synthesiser from Nuance.


Latest Release:

SuperNova Version 12 2011-02-28 The Version 12 DVD contains EasyReader DAISY Player which also reads EPUB and a range of other popular electronic book formats. More information is available on the Dolphin Computer Access website.

Dorina DAISY Reader (DDReader) for Windows

Dorina DAISY Reader logo

This DAISY 3 reading software was developed by the Dorina Nowill Foundation for the Blind in Brazil and is free to use and share. The DAISY books can be read by synthesized voice, pre-recorded narration, or text only. The DDR DAISY reading software can be downloaded in 3 different language versions: English, Español, and Português (Note: DDR is the first free Portuguese DAISY 3.0 reader).


DDR is designed as an add-on to the Firefox browser and is available from the Firefox add-on site. Links to DDReader tutorials in each language are also available on the download page and are included in the add-on (press T for tutorial on any DDR mode).



Latest Release:

Dorina DAISY Reader 1.0.2 for Windows

DDR is designed as a Firefox add-on. For support, please go to the DDReader home page.

DTB Splitter/Merger

DTB Splitter/Merger is a tool for handling (splitting/merging) multi-volume DTBooks (Digital Talking Books) in DAISY 2.02 or DAISY 3 format.

Download DTB Splitter/Merger

DTBMaker/DTB2iTunes

DTB2iTunes logo

DTBMaker is a set of open source cross-platform tools for the production of DAISY 2.02 and DAISY 3 titles either locally or by using our free online production site.


DTB2iTunes is a program used to combine all of the audio files of DAISY DTB into a single MP3 file or iTune Audiobook format and upload it to your iTunes or other MP3 application.

It is assumed that the DAISY DTB MP3 files are named in such a way that they will come together in order, are in MP3 format and are not encrypted in any way.

DAISY DTBs produced by DTBMaker 2.0 will be named in this way. Other DAISY DTBs may be this way as well. DAISY DTB MP3 files produced by Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic and the National Library Service are not in page order and this program will not work for them.

A new feature in DTB2iTunes is that it will now attempt to read a chaptertool.xml file if one is included with the book. If one is found, DTB2iTunes will use it to mark all the navigation points in the book in the audio book created. The current version of DTBMaker for Macintosh will create a chaptertool.xml file each time it produces a book. This permits users to jump to any navigation point in the audiobook file when used on an iPod.


Latest Release:

DTB2iTunes 2.0 2007-12-31

DTB2iTunes is a program used to combine all of the audio files of a DAISY DTB into a single MP3 file or iTune Audiobook format and upload it to your iTunes or other MP3 application.


For more information, please visit the official website for DTBMaker/DTB2iTunes.

Duxbury Braille Translator (DBT)

Duxbury logo

DAISY Members Duxbury Systems, Inc. and Design Science, Inc. have collaborated on Duxbury Braille Translator™ (DBT) version 10.7 with support for direct import of Microsoft Word documents containing mathematical equations created with MathType™. This improvement will allow users to author math with MathType in MS Word and then translate those materials to braille via DBT for Windows.

For information on obtaining MathType, see the description of MathType from Design Science.


Latest Release:

Duxbury Braille Translator version 10.7 2008-06-23

DAISY Members Duxbury Systems, Inc. and Design Science, Inc. have collaborated on Duxbury Braille Translator™ (DBT) version 10.7 with support for direct import of Microsoft Word documents containing mathematical equations created with MathType™. This improvement will allow users to author math with MathType in MS Word and then translate those materials to braille via DBT for Windows.

For more information, see the Design Science Press Release.


For more information, please visit the official website for Duxbury Braille Translator (DBT).

EasyConverter

Dolphin Logo

EasyConverter is designed for use in schools, colleges, universities, small or large companies and government organisations. It is simple to use for those with no altformat creation experience, and is equally suited to experienced professionals looking for a single flexible high quality altformat creation tool to meet the needs of dyslexic, visually impaired and learning disabled students.

Key Benefits:

  • Offering students the formats of their preference ensures that you meet the growing legislation on inclusion.
  • Popular materials can be stored for future years and simply converted to specifically meet the needs of new students in their preferred format. 
  • Significant time saving benefits allow you the tutor to concentrate on teaching the curriculum.
  • EasyConverter ensures that you remain adaptable, and able to convert from a wide range of file formats including printed handouts to downloaded PDFs, Word files and HTML documents.

Latest Release:

Dolphin EasyConverter Version 5.05 2011-08-31

Improvements to version 5.05 include an updated OCR scanning engine, essential functionality to specify the page numbers in your alternative formats, and a variety of general improvements to the quality of EasyConverter's Large Print, MP3, DAISY talking book, and Braille outputs. More information is provided on the Dolphin Computer Access website.


For more information, please visit the official website for EasyConverter.

EasyProducer: Text to Digital Talking Book software

Dolphin Logo

(Formerly Dolphin Producer)

Dolphin's EasyProducer converts standard Word files into DAISY digital talking books (synchronised audio and text) that can be searched and navigated.

  • Easy to use one-click operation instantly converts text into a DAISY DTB, no training required.
  • Convert text documents into fully accessible DAISY books with sychronised text and audio.
  • Create synthetic audio in a fraction of the time required to produce recorded audio.
  • Convert an average textbook chapter in 90 seconds, compared to 2 hours when narrating onto audio cassette.
  • Click to write files to CD for easy distribution and to listen on the move. Simple toolbar integration with Microsoft Word so you can work in a familiar environment.

For more information, please visit the official website for EasyProducer: Text to Digital Talking Book software.

EasyReader

Dolphin Logo

EasyReader is an accessible talking book reader software, allowing readers to read and listen to content through a combination of text, speech and images. Mattias Karlsson explains: “Students of all ages extract information from books and cite them in their own work. A reader with a vision impairment or learning disability such as dyslexia is no different. With version 6, learners can now select and copy text from the EasyReader reading window, ready to paste into Microsoft Word, or whatever their preferred application may be".


Latest Release:

Dolphin EasyReader Version 6.02 2011-05-10

Version 6.02 includes a healthy mix of new features and improved functionality to provide a more seamless reading experience for readers with visual impairments and dyslexia. More information can be found on the Dolphin Computer Access website.


For more information, please visit the official website for EasyReader.

EasyReader Express

Dolphin Logo

Olav Indergaard explains the benefits that the Norwegian Library of Talking Books and Braille (NLB) have experienced in adding EasyReader Express to their DAISY talking books: "NLB (The Norwegian Library of Talking Books and Braille) has been a provider of DAISY-content for several years. One of our challenges as a DAISY-content provider has been to ensure that our users have access to DAISY-playback systems in order to fully utilize the DAISY-format. NLB therefore decided to provide DAISY-player software to all our users by including a DAISY-player in all our books. EasyReader Express was the software of choice." More information is available on the Dolphin Computer Access website.


Latest Release:

EasyReader Express 2010-09-01 Dolphin EasyReader Express is a new web-based subscription service which allows DAISY talking book providers to add an Express version of EasyReader to their DAISY talking book.

eClipseReader

IRTI logo

eClipseReader is a PC application for the DAISY 2.02, and DAISY/NISO 2002 and 2005 formats, supporting Windows 98/ME/2000 and XP operating systems.

eClipseReader plays audio DAISY books and reads text-only DAISY media using SAPI 5 TTS voices in all supported DAISY formats. Audio formats include: WAV, MP3, WMA and ASF audio. eClipseReader is also a Text Document Reader. All text-only media is read with SAPI 5 Text-to-Speech Voices. EClipseReader's flexible user interface can be customized to suit the needs of sighted users preferring point and click graphic controls and the visually impaired through its self voicing hotkeys and menu system. In multi-user mode, eClipseReader is a great solution for schools and libraries. Individuals may login on a single computer and maintain their own library of books, text notes, bookmarks, and operational preferences. Site and district licensing will be made available.


For more information, please visit the official website for eClipseReader.

eClipseWriter

IRTI logo

eClipseWriter Personal Edition

eClipseWriter Personal Edition is an affordable and innovative software application from I.R.T.I. that reduces the cost and eliminates the wait time associated with creating accessible media. eClipseWriter can turn virtually any electronic text document into a DAISY Digital Talking Book. eClipseWriter lets you make accessible media when you want it, and when you need it, without any reliance on third parties.

With eClipseWriter you insert simple heading and page navigation markers into a document, press a button and eClipseWriter does the rest. Text is automatically turned into speech, and for more sophisticated uses you can also insert graphics, animations and pre-recorded audio files! eClipseWriter even has a built in talking word processor to help you prepare your text.

Easily share DAISY media using our unique DTB-DNA feature. DTB-DNA lets you send a tiny file containing the instructions required to build a Digital Talking Book to another eClipseWriter user. The recipient simply opens the DTB-DNA file and builds an identical copy of the original talking book. DTB-DNA files are so small they can easily be sent as e-mail attachments even over dial-up connections.

EclipseWriter Personal Edition includes a personal use license for the NeoSpeech VoiceText speech synthesis application to produce natural sounding voices from text, as well as eClipseReader, our next generation DAISY reading tool, at no extra charge!

 

eClipseWriter Professional

eClipseWriter Professional includes a DAISY recorder identical to the personal edition, but supports audio format MP3.

Both eClipseWriter Pro and eClipseWriter Personal include support for the latest talking book standards including: DAISY/NISO 2005 text and audio books and NIMAS format output, the National Instruction Material Accessibility Standard.

For more information or to download a demonstration copy of eClipseWriter call I.R.T.I. toll free in the United States at 800.322.4784 or visit the website.


Latest Release:

eClipseWare version 4.1 2008-10-01

eClipseWriter and eClipseWriter Professional from IRTI: eClipseWriter Professional is a self-voicing word processor, scanning and reading system that creates DAISY media for personal use. eClipseWriter and eClipseWriter Professional now offer four different user interfaces tailored to address different applications:

  • Scan and Read Mode
  • Basic Word Processing Mode
  • 2 Advance Operation Modes

Complete details and download links are provided on the IRTI website.


For more information, please visit the official website for eClipseWriter.

Emerson - EPUB and DAISY Reader

Emerson is a cross-platform audio DTB player. Currently it does not support text-only DTBs and it supports only MP3 encoded DTBs. The DAISY formats supported: DAISY 2.02 and DAISY 3 Version 2005 (formally ANSI/NISO Z3986-2005).

Download Emerson

gh, LLC

gh, LLC offers several conversion services for accessible media. These services include Braille, Tactile Graphics, Large Print, Digital Talking Books, and other electronic media. gh produces high quality DTBs to meet customers' needs. They offer phonetic markup to improve TTS playback, full use of all DTB features, and fast turnaround. With gh DTBs and feature-rich playback software, persons with print-disabilities can read books with ease, save time finding information, benefit from flexible reading solutions, and improve reading productivity. Read more on the gh,LLC website.

HumanWare ClassMate Reader

HumanWare ClassMate Reader

The ClassMate Reader is a unique, portable and lightweight system about the size of a portable gaming system with a large LCD screen. Students can listen to the audio version of their textbooks and study materials, while following the highlighted text on screen. This portable system is ideal for students in any learning setting, including the classroom, resource room, library, extended learning programs and at home. The system promotes phonetic recognition and fluency and will significantly boost the support of teachers who work with students with learning disabilities.

It has several features only found on PC-based software solutions such as text-to-speech, highlighting, dictionary, text and vocal notes and audio book navigation. The ClassMate Reader now supports a wide variety of electronic formats, including DAISY, NIMAS (National Instructional Material Accessible Standard) format, Bookshare.org, Audible.com, text, wav, MP3 and audio file formats. The player also provides integrated text-to-speech for reading books in text format. It uses a removable SD flash memory card or USB memory stick to store the electronic files. It can transfer files from a PC with a standard USB connection.


Latest Release:

ClassMate Reader Software Upgrade: Version 1.4.6 2011-01-13 ClassMate now has the ability to play large DAISY text files. To load, textbooks must be less than 20 MB. This specifically addresses the largest textbook files from the NIMAC repository, which have been put into student-ready format by Bookshare. In addition, ClassMate now plays DAISY books with multiple text files - for example, books that are on more than one CD. More information about upgrading is available on the HumanWare website.

For more information, please visit the official website for HumanWare ClassMate Reader.

HumanWare Companion

HumanWare Logo

The Stream Companion software has been renamed to HumanWare Companion because this software now supports both of the HumanWare digital talking book players: Victor Reader Stream and ClassMate Reader. Users do not need to uninstall the previous version of Stream Companion or ClassMate Companion. Previous programs can remain on your computer along with the new HumanWare Companion. Once you are familiar with the new HumanWare Companion, you can then remove the old Stream or ClassMate Companion using the Windows Add/Remove option of Control Panel. HumanWare Companion can be downloaded from the HumanWare website.


Latest Release:

HumanWare Companion 3.5 2011-10-28

Several added features also include support for new Japanese and Chinese text-to-speech voices. If you use the Stream CD drive accessory, you can now play and copy MP3 CD books. Victor Reader Stream users can obtain the HumanWare Companion version 3.5 from the HumanWare website.

ida-reader

ida-reader

The ida-reader reads aloud digital content from a variety of file formats or original book pages, highlighting the text as it is being read aloud. It has plenty of attractive features, which have been incorporated keeping in mind the special needs of the people faced with challenges when reading text, such as dyslexia.


Latest Release:

ida-reader 2011-03-21 xml-text and Planman Technologies have launched the ida-reader©, a software application (currently for Windows only) that enables users to read aloud a book, which can be in several formats such as DAISY, HTML, RTF or XML. It can also display the scanned pages of a book while the text is being read aloud. This application was developed for people faced with reading difficulties such as dyslexia. For their benefit, the text being read aloud also gets highlighted. Download is available for purchase or trial use from the ida-reader website.

Intel® Reader

Intel Reader

The Intel Reader, about the size of a paperback book, converts printed text to digital text, and then reads it aloud to the user.


Latest Release:

New Mobile Intel® Reader 2009-12-01

Unique design combines e-reader with a high-resolution camera, allowing users to point, shoot and listen to printed text. Supported file formats: DAISY 2.02, ANSI/NISO Z39.86-2002 (DAISY 3), NIMAS 1.0/1.1, MP3, WAV and ASCII text. More information is available on the HumanWare website.

IVEO® from Viewplus, Speaking Tactile Diagrams

IVEO logo

The IVEO® Hands-on-Learning from viewplus Technologies enables learning through touch, sound, and sight. IVEO® lets you use any one, two, or all three of these learning modalities together to learn faster and retain longer. This tool makes learning structured concepts more engaging and inclusive. IVEO® includes sounds, speech or links, in objects to further stimulate learning. It is compatible with DAISY SVG plug-in.


Latest Release:

IVEO Version 2.0, Speaking Tactile Diagrams 2008-03-01

IVEO is for those who learn better with touch, sound, and sight combined, thus utilizing any or all three learning modalities to learn faster and retain longer. A free IVEO viewer, compatible with DAISY SVG plug-in, is available from ViewPlus Technologies.


For more information, please visit the official website for IVEO® from Viewplus, Speaking Tactile Diagrams.

IVONA Accessibility Package

Ivona Accessibility Package

IVONA is committed to making a difference in the lives of millions of visually impaired persons by enabling easy access to digital information and entertainment. To further that mission, they have introduced IVONA Accessibility Packages in English (British or American), German, French, Spanish (Castilian and American), Polish and Romanian. These comprehensive and reliable solutions will provide affordable access to computer and Internet resources for work, recreation, and communications.


Latest Release:

IVONA Accessibility Package 2011-10-31

IVONA Accessibility Packages include the award-winning, high quality Text-To-Speech Voices, delivering high intelligibility (capable of 4X acceleration with no loss in quality), rapid responsiveness, and the IVONA Reader − plus a free, pre-configured NVDA screenreader, the open source solution developed by the NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) Project. More information is available on the IVONA Software website.

Ivona Text-to-Speech

Ivona Logo

IVONA TTS is a program developed by IVONA Software converting text to speech. It is used in many trades and market segments. Its technological potential, high speech quality comparable with human speech, variety of voices, and licenses contribute to the fact that it is used by both large corporations and small enterprises as well as non-profit organizations. Sample IVONA voices.

KBLL Reader

The Korean Braille Library has developed the KBLL Reader 1.0 with the Sims Line, a software developing company in Korea.

KBLL Reader supports only audio and NCC DAISY books. The software is able to set book marking, control speed and volume, and allows the reader to move to chapter, page, or sentence. KBLL Reader can also search word and number (for instance page).

If you close the KBLL Reader to end reading, it automatically says the end page of reading. If a user uses KBLL Reader in a common place, like a library or school, this function is very useful. Because many users use KBLL Reader together, nobody set book marking.

We provide KBLL Reader to users, libraries and schools free of charge. Everybody can download KBLL Reader free of charge, at http://infor.kbll.or.kr/.

KBLL Reader currently supports only Korean, so we are considering supporting other languages. We also are considering having KBLL Reader 2.0 support audio and full text.

For more information, send email to youk@kbll.or.kr.


For more information, please visit the official website for KBLL Reader.

Learning Ally (Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic)

Learning Ally logo
Learning Ally (formerly RFB&D) is one of the leading producers of accessible textbooks in the United States. Their membership is free for all U.S. students with qualifying disabilities. Their recording technologies have kept pace with the times. Digital audio technology was introduced to Learning Ally members in the fall of 2002. Their AudioPlus® digitally recorded textbooks provide members with unprecedented independence through their extraordinary portability and ability to be navigated by page, chapter or section at the press of a button.

Latest Release:

Learning Ally Collection Accessible on Mac and Windows 2010-11-29 Learning Ally's entire collection is now accessible on Mac as well as Windows operating systems through the introduction of ReadHear, developed by gh, LLC in partnership with Learning Ally. More information is available on the Learning Ally website.

Learning Ally Audiobook Player App for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad

Learning Ally Audio App

Gain instant access to RFB&D’s (now Learning Ally) downloadable DAISY formatted books. Learning Ally members can explore Learning Ally’s extensive library of more than 65,000 audiobooks that are designed for people with print and learning disabilities. Learning Ally Audio application for iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad is available to individuals via the Apple iTunes store. Learning Ally online account is required to use the product, which offers advanced features for accessibility like bookmarking, chapter and page navigation, last position playback, variable speed control and more.


Latest Release:

Learning Ally Audiobook Player App 2011-08-16

The new version can continue playback after user's device locks and turns off the screen. This version resumes reading where users left off the last time that they ran the app. More information is available on the Learning Ally website.

LpStudio/Plus

With the release of Dolphin Audio Publishing's EasePublisher, this software is no longer being featured. For inquiries regarding product support, licensing, and the like, please contact Dolphin Audio Publishing.

LpStudio/Pro

LpStudio/Pro is available to Members of the DAISY Consortium. The software is typically used in larger organizations with text production departments and audio recording departments. It is also usable in a singular context as a stand-alone tool, using the included Structure Editor to create NCC-only structures.

The software provides extensive features when producing full text Digital Talking Books using external source documents. The user has extensive functionality and flexibility when working in recording windows. Two recording screen options are available -- Advanced and Simple.

  • Output: Can be used to create NCC-only and full text DTBs.
  • Scripts for Jaws for Windows and maps for Supernova are available.
  • Requires an external synthesizer.

For more information, please use the Contact Us form, selecting the General category.

Download Links:

MathDaisy from Design Science

MathDaisy logo

MathDaisy works with Microsoft Word, the Save As DAISY add-in for Microsoft Word, and MathType. Save As DAISY add-in installation adds a \Save As DAISY\ menu item to Word's File menu. This command saves the document as a DAISY Digital Talking Book. MathDaisy enhances the Word-to-DAISY conversion process, converting the equations in the document to MathML as required by the DAISY format. If the original document contains mathematical equations, then users will need to install the MathDaisy add-in to add support for mathematical equations, making them accessible to students, teachers, engineers, and scientists with disabilities.


Latest Release:

MathDaisy Release 1.0 from Design Science 2009-04-13

MathDaisy is Design Science's add-in for both the DAISY Pipeline and the Save As DAISY Microsoft add-in for Microsoft Word. If the original document contains mathematical equations, then users will need to install the MathDaisy add-in to add support for mathematical equations, making them accessible to students, teachers, engineers, and scientists with disabilities.


For more information, please visit the official website for MathDaisy from Design Science.

MathType by Design Science

Design Science Logo

Design Science MathType is a powerful interactive tool that will allow you to create MathML content. MathType is a mainstream equation editor that works with common word processors, presentation programs, page layout programs, HTML or XML-authoring tools and many other types of software. MathType is especially convenient for people who want to author math materials in Microsoft Word and then convert its equations into MathML for use in your favorite HTML or XML editor or exported to a web page with accessible math.


Latest Release:

MathType 6.7 2011-08-14

MathType now works with Office 2010, as well as Office 2007, 2003, and 2002 (XP). It is compatible with Windows 7 and with over 500 applications and websites. Latest information is available on the Design Science website.

Microsoft Silverlight

Microsoft Silverlight is a cross-browser, cross-platform implementation of the .NET Framework for building and delivering the next generation of media experiences and rich interactive applications (RIA) for the Web. Silverlight unifies the capabilities of the server, the Web, and the desktop, of managed code and dynamic languages, of declarative and traditional programming, and the power of Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF). Accessibility concepts in Silverlight programming and development can be divided into two areas: accessibility for Silverlight application authors who are using existing controls in their application UI, and accessibility for custom control authors. Read more: Silverlight Accessibility Overview.

Milestone 212 DAISY Player

Milestone 212
Milestone 212 is a Book Reader which opens the world of digital talking books.

Latest Release:

Milestone 212 Version 4.47 2011-11-29

The newest member of the Milestone family of media players focuses on simplicity. In this spirit the device is reduced to the most important functions, and performs very strong on those. It now supports the playback of DAISY 2.02 and 3, EPUB, MP3, WMA, Word DOC, AA(X), AAC and TXT files. Details are available on the Bones website.

Milestone 312 DAISY Player/Recorder

Milestone 312 DAISY Player

The Milestone 312 from Bones GmbH is the smallest MP3/DAISY Player/voice recorder on the market. Functionalities include audio books player, MP3/AAC player, voice recorder, FM tuner/recorder, alarm clock and RFID tag reader, all integrated into 50 grams, in the size of a credit card.

Milestone 312 uses the MP3/AAC/WMA decoder software from DSP Spirit, providing excellent sound quality. It is very configurable to support a variety of reading and listening needs. Functions not used, not purchased or not desired can be disabled/enabled.

DAISY: This pocket-size device provides full access to heading levels, page numbers, phrases, etc. It also supports bookmark setting and switch between books on the memory card.

MP3: The Milestone 312 provides accessible MP3 navigation, supported by audible prompts. Folder names can be tagged with recorded voice.

Voice Recorder: The Milestone's small internal speaker produces crisp, clear audio even in noisy environments. The RFID tag reader allows users to tag and identify daily living objects such as medications, CD's, and food labels.

Milestone 312 has 1 Gigabyte internal memory plus an SD card interface for up to 32 Gigabytes storage. Both work in parallel and are fully accessible via USB connection - no software needs to be installed.


Latest Release:

Milestone 312 Version 4.47 2011-11-30

Version 4.47 of the software for DAISY Player/Recorder Milestone 312 is now available. This is a substantial upgrade which contains useful new features. Some of the highlights include support for Word DOC files as well as DAISY 3 and EPUB. Go to Bones website for details and download.


For more information, please visit the official website for Milestone 312 DAISY Player/Recorder.

MyStudio PC

MyStudio PC v2.04

This new release of MyStudio PC, v2.04, includes numerous fixes and improvements. A license is required for MyStudio PC. DAISY Member organizations may place a request for a license from the Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (JSRPD), see below.

  • Output: can be used to create audio and NCC-only Digital Talking Books.
  • The software is fully self-voicing. It does not require an external synthesizer.

This software is very easy to learn and operate. Additional features include generating synthesized speech from text.


MyStudio PC is typically used in organizations where the structure documents (NCCs) are not created before recording begins. It is also typically used by volunteers producing DAISY Digital Talking Books at home or in a studio.


For more general information about MyStudio PC, please use the Contact Us form (General Category) on the DAISY Web site.


MyStudio PC is available to Members of the DAISY Consortium at no cost. Full Members may request up to 50 licenses, Associate Members may request up to 10 licenses. If your organization is a Member of the DAISY Consortium and needs a license, please use the Email Contact link (available immediately below on this page). For this link to display, you must be logged in to the DAISY website using a valid Member login. Your request will be directed to JSRPD.


Latest Release:

MyStudio PC v2.04 2007-11-13

The Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (JSRPD) has just released Version 2.04.00.00 of MyStudio PC, the DAISY 2.02 structure and audio production tool which is available to DAISY Member organizations at no cost.

Download Links:

Net Systems Informatics - BarrierBreak Technologies

Net Systems Informatics is committed to providing innovative content development solutions. They deliver new learning dimensions with services like Content Digitization and DAISY Conversion. They help you convert your printed publications including textbooks into accessible formats such as DAISY.


For more information, please visit the official website for Net Systems Informatics - BarrierBreak Technologies.

Nuance DAISY2Go

Nuance Communications Logo

DAISY2Go is a part of the Nuance Accessibility Suite, and it has been optimized for Nuance TALKS, to allow for easy alternation between audio and textual content. It is free for users who own a license of TALKS&ZOOMS Premium Edition. DAISY2Go is a Mobile player/viewer for books confirming to the DAISY 2.02 and DAISY 3 specification, for phones utilizing S60 3rd Edition or 5th Edition. More information is available on the Nuance Communications website.

Obi

Obi

Obi is a free software application - audio production tool. Obi brings the benefits of DAISY technology to a broader range of consumers. In situations where time and cost constraints limit the use of sophisticated synchronized multimedia production tools (e.g. classroom environment, people and organizations in developing countries), Obi can unlock the potential of producers and consumers (e.g. teachers and students).


Latest Release:

Obi 2.0 - DAISY Audio Production Tool 2011-10-21

Obi is available for download at the Obi project site.

odt2daisy - OpenOffice.org Writer Extension

odt2daisy logo

odt2daisy is an OpenOffice.org Writer extension, enabling Export as DAISY output in DAISY 3 format, including support of mathematical content.


Latest Release:

odt2daisy Version 2.1 2010-04-12

This release includes numerous improvements.


For more information, please visit the official website for odt2daisy - OpenOffice.org Writer Extension.

Olympus DM-4 Audio Recorder / Player

Olympus DM-4

8GB of internal memory allows 2,000 hours of recording time, microSD card compatibility extends it to 16GB. Supports DAISY 2.02, Audible.com books, MP3 and WMA and PCM formats.

Currently does not support RFB&D (Learning Ally) books.

VOICE ACTIVATION - makes automatic starting and stopping of the recorder an extra benefit that saves time and energy.

OLYMPUS SONORITY - Edit files with Olympus Sonority sound editing software (included), which is compatible with PCs and MACs.

VOICE RECOGNITION - Use simple voice commands to create calendar entries, to-do lists and other basic functions.


Latest Release:

Olympus DM-4 Version 1.30 2011-11-06

To download the new firmware update Version 1.30 and manual in DAISY format, please visit the DM-4 Accessible Information webpage. Improvements are listed in the release notes.

Olympus DM-5 Audio Recorder / Player

DM-5

The DM-5 is a state-of-the-art voice recorder. With linear PCM, MP3 and WMA compatibility, the DM-5 is ideal for anyone who needs crystal-clear sound anytime, anywhere - from business professionals and journalists to photographers, students, the visually impaired and print disabled. CD-quality multi-format playback and recording combined with sophisticated features like Voice Guidance, Voice Commands, Text to Speech and DAISY 2.02 playback make DM-5 the choice for discerning users.


Latest Release:

Olympus DM-5 Version 1.30 2011-11-06

Firmware update Version 1.30 for DM-5 as well as manual in English in DAISY format are available to download from the Olympus website.

Planman Technologies

Planman Technologies, a content conversion and a publishing services provider actively supports the DAISY vision to promote international standards and technologies. Planman Technlogies assists their clients in converting their print / electronic media to DAISY compliant format using their proprietary workflows. Planman is actively offering DAISY conversion services and workflows to all major Libraries, Organizations and Publishers worldwide. More information is provided on the Planman Technologies website.

PLEXTALK Model PTN2

PLEXTALK PTN2

The PLEXTALK Model PTN2 is a DAISY 2.02 and DAISY 3 hardware player, ideal for leisure-reading. It has a high-quality built-in speaker and comes with a fully rechargeable battery to provide listeners with up to five hours of playing time.

Using the PLEXTALK PTN2, a person with low vision or other print disability can navigate to a particular point in a book from the table of contents or the index, by browsing headings, selecting pages, or by setting and reviewing bookmarks. Users can make a bookmark index consisting of up to 10,000 bookmarks. In addition, users are able to fast forward, rewind, and even speed up the audio narration.


Latest Release:

PLEXTALK PTN2: Version 3 2010-02-17 Version 3 comes with simplified operation and is more intuitive as it offers faster touch key response as well as automatic bookmark numbering. For more information, please visit the official website for PLEXTALK PTN2.

PLEXTALK Pocket PTP1

Plextalk Pocket DAISY Player/Recorder

The PLEXTALK Pocket PTP1 is a lightweight, pocket-sized, DAISY-compliant music, voice, and book player/recorder that reaches a new level of mobility and offers ease of use for business, education and leisure. It is a true crossover media player/recorder which contains a host of applications and which also comes with extensive features that support complete accessibility for people with sight problems or learning difficulties. Although this tiny player/recorder is only 55mm X 112mm X 16mm (2.2in X 4.4in X 0.6in) in size, it supports both DAISY 2.02 and DAISY 3 playback, records DAISY 2.02 and has recording time capacity of 120 hours. Multiple audio playback formats are also supported. Starting with Version 2.00, PLEXTALK Pocket supports DAISY books provided by major library services and content providers (NLS, RFB&D®, Bookshare.org in the U.S.), etc. PLEXTALK Pocket features the world’s first wireless LAN function as a dedicated DAISY digital book player. Users can share books or files between their computer and the PLEXTALK Pocket via wireless LAN at home or office without using a USB cable.


Latest Release:

PLEXTALK Recording Software (PRS) Now Bundled with the PLEXTALK Pocket 2011-12-01

The PLEXTALK Pocket portable player offers both DAISY playback and recording. The PRS Software is now available at no cost to PLEXTALK Pocket users. Three functions are provided in one package: Recording, Editing and CD-R Writing. If you have a PLEXTALK Pocket, you can download the installer from the PLEXTALK website downloads area and install it onto your computer while your player is connected via USB.

PLEXTALK Portable Recorder (Model: PTR2)

PLEXTALK PTR2

PLEXTALK PTR2 replaced the PTR1 and is designed to be a high quality recorder with the ability to create DAISY 2.02 books with audio, headings and pages, as well as music CDs. It can also play DAISY books, music CDs, Audio File CDs and CF cards. It can be used as a CD-RW or memory card drive when connected to a computer. For quicker and easier editing of DAISY content, the PTR2 is supplied with the PLEXTALK Recording Software (PRS). This package provides all the necessary tools to record, edit and finalize audio DAISY 2.02 books. This portable unit has a built-in microphone and an optional external microphone, providing recording versatility.


For more information, please visit the official website for PLEXTALK Portable Recorder (Model: PTR2).

PLEXTALK PTN 2 Cross

PTN 2 Cross

PTN 2 Cross, reliable and high-quality DAISY player allows you to read various contents on CD, SD card and USB.


Latest Release:

PLEXTALK PTN 2 Cross 2011-09-21

Available only in Europe, PTN Cross features a cover that offers direct access to the DAISY functionalities. More information is available on the PLEXTALK website.

PLEXTALK PTX1 / PRO

PLEXTALK PTX1-Pro

Users can play back their favorite DAISY books, electronic magazines or newspapers. High performance built-in speaker provides them with comfortable listening.


Latest Release:

PLEXTALK PTX1 / Pro 2011-03-02 The world's first DAISY Online Delivery standard compatible player. Users can access a library to search and download/stream a book by the wired or wireless LAN capability of the PTX1 / Pro. It also plays DAISY books and e-text on CDs, SD cards or USB flash memory. For more information, please visit the PLEXTALK website.

PLEXTALK Recording Software Pro (PRS Pro)

PLEXTALK Recording Software Pro is very similar to the software bundled with the Plextalk PTR2. Designed for Windows PCs, it is a simple to use editing and recording tool with voice guidance to support use by individuals who have a visual handicapped. PRS Pro is available from Plextor in packages of five (5) copies.


For more information, please visit the official website for PLEXTALK Recording Software Pro (PRS Pro).

Read2Go App for the Apple iPad, iPhone and iPod touch

Read2Go App Logo

Directly from within the Read2Go app, Bookshare members can find, download, and read books on their Apple device. Please submit your feedback to the Read2Go user forum.


Latest Release:

Read2Go App Version 1.0.2.2 2012-01-21 Improvements include reinstated 'forgot password' function and enhanced performance. Read2Go is available for purchase on the iTunes Store.

ReadHear™ Mac

Features:

  • Support for MathML, NIMAS 1.1., & DAISY/ NISO 2005. ReadHear Mac is the first DAISY DTB player that supports all updated specifications on the Macintosh.
  • Roaming Activation for greater portability. The license can be moved from one computer to another making it cost-effective for school licensing, at home and at work.
  • Continuous audio when using another program simultaneously. ReadHear Mac works like a media player, so it will continue reading while you do other things on your computer.
  • Optimized for large books. From encyclopedias to textbooks, any large book will open quickly, navigating and processing at the speed of a smaller book.
  • Automatic Update. ReadHear Mac regularly checks for updates so users will always have the most recent version available.
  • Bookshare, Learning Ally AudioPlus, Educational Publishers, e-Pub, & DRM Supported soon

Latest Release:

ReadHear™ Mac 2010-01-24 The first ever fully-featured Digital Talking Book player for the Mac! The great accessibility features available in the gh PLAYER™ are no longer limited to the PC. ReadHear Mac provides excellent benefits to those who enjoy and appreciate learning and listening to all types of books, articles, and documents.
Details are available on the gh, LLC website.

ReadHear™ PC - Premium

gh LLC Logo

The ReadHear™ PC Premium Version provides the functionality present in ReadHear™ PC, but also includes additional features.

The latest update includes a number of small improvements;. Among these are:

  • Improved support for \Save as DAISY\ files
  • Improved support for SVG images
  • Additional units of 1 and 2 seconds to the Time Navigation mode for recorded audio
  • Additional checkbox in My Library to show only book titles
  • Support for ADPCM2 audio files used by some DAISY 2.02 books

The ReadHear™ PC Premium and Professional provide people with disabilities access to multiple information sources, with improved features and easier navigation. Full details are provided on the gh LLC Web site.


Latest Release:

ReadHear PC Premium 2009-07-10

A features' comparison list for ReadHear PC Professional and Premium Version is provided on the gh LLC website.


For more information, please visit the official website for ReadHear™ PC - Premium.

ReadHear™ PC - Professional

gh LLC Logo

The ReadHear™ PC is a Section 508 compliant software player that is designed with accessibility as a priority. This software supports the following file formats:

  • NIMAS
  • Simple text (.txt)
  • DAISY 2.02
  • DAISY 3.0
  • ANSI-NISO (Z39.86-2002)
  • DAISY/NISO 2005
  • EPUB

The ReadHear™ PC provides people with disabilities access to multiple information sources. The ReadHear™ PC now has improved features and easier navigation. Full details are provided on the gh LLC Web site.

ReadHowYouWant

ReadHowYouWant offers a wide selection of on-demand, optimized alternative format editions, including books in Braille and DAISY formats and large print books.


For more information, please visit the official website for ReadHowYouWant.

RoboBraille

RoboBraille is an e-mail service capable of automatically transforming documents into a variety of alternative formats for the visually and reading impaired: Contracted Braille, mp3 files, DAISY books and visual Braille. Furthermore, RoboBraille can convert otherwise inaccessible documents into more accessible formats. RoboBraille is available free of charge to all non-commercial users who do not need to register in order to use the service. In addition to the traditional email-interface, RoboBraille can be accessed via a simple, accessible web-interface. The objective is to create an unlimited supply of accessible material to anyone, anywhere with a need. More information is available on the RoboBraille website.

Save as DAISY add-in for Microsoft Word

DAISY, Sonata Software and Microsoft logos

Microsoft's Word Save as DAISY add-in translates Microsoft Word 2003, 2007 and 2010 documents into DAISY.

The Save as DAISY - Microsoft project area provides current information and related communications about the Microsoft Word add-in, as well as links for downloading the latest version. The new version that supports Microsoft Office Word 2010 was released December 15, 2011.


Latest Release:

Save as DAISY add-in Version 2.5.5.1 for Microsoft Word

"Save as DAISY" add-in for Microsoft Office Word incorporates a "Lite" version of the DAISY Pipeline. You can select to generate the DAISY XML for further processing, or you can generate a fully conforming DAISY file set with full navigation and full text synchronized with audio. The audio is generated by the default text-to-speech (TTS) engine on your Windows computer. Download is available on the Save as DAISY Microsoft project page.

The source document in Microsoft Word has to be well structured, created using styles and saved before it can be converted to fully conforming DAISY book.


For more information, please visit the official website for Save as DAISY add-in for Microsoft Word.

Save as DTBook (DAISY XML) option in Adobe InDesign

Adobe logo

Adobe InDesign CS4 includes a \Save as DTBook\ (DAISY XML) option. Users can choose DTBook (aka DAISY XML) content within EPUBs, compatible with the NIMAS standard that has been mandated in the U.S. for providing access to K-12 instructional materials for the visually impaired.


Latest Release:

Save as DTBook (DAISY XML) option in Adobe InDesign 2009-05-27

Adobe InDesign CS4 includes a "Save as DTBook" (DAISY XML) option. More information is available on the Adobe's Digital Editions blog. It provides a clear overview of the DAISY XML and ePub support features in CS4.

Sigtuna DAR 3

Sigtuna DAR logo

The DAISY Consortium wishes to thank the Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities, JSRPD, for making Sigtuna DAR 3 available to DAISY Consortium Members.


The final release of Sigtuna DAR 3 was made available February 2008.

  • Output: This software can be used to create audio and NCC-only, and full text/audio DAISY 2.02 Books.
  • Scripts for Jaws for Windows are available. Requires external synthesizer.

The user has the ability to create, edit, and/or remove NCC headings and pages during the recording process (when in "ToC-only mode"). In addition, a user can add full text segments to an NCC-only Digital Talking Book using the ATAU mode.


The software is typically used in larger organizations as well as in stand-alone settings.


For more general information, please use the Contact Us form, selecting the General category.


Sigtuna DAR 3 is available to Members of the DAISY Consortium at no cost. A license is required. If your organization is a Member of the DAISY Consortium and needs a license, please use the Email Contact link (available immediately below on this page). For this link to display, you must be logged in to the DAISY website using a valid Member login. Your request will be directed to JSRPD. Please include the information about your organization and name of the representative in your email.


Latest Release:

Sigtuna DAR 3, version 3.0.22 2008-02-01

The final release of Sigtuna DAR 3, version 3.0.22, has just been made available. This DAISY 2.02 production tools supports the production of DAISY books with audio and structure, as well as full text/audio DAISY books. It is made available to DAISY Members by the Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities, JSRPD. A license is required.

Download Links:

Structure Modifier

The Structure Modifier is a tool for adding additional content to the source document for a DAISY 2.02 NCC Only Digital Talking Book. It is especially geared towards skippability, making it easy to add the producer notes, sidebars, and footnotes as described in the DAISY 2.02 specifications.

The output from the Structure Modifier is compliant with the methods and requirements specified in the DAISY 2.02 Skippable Structures Recommendation from the DAISY Consortium (reference the DAISY Skippability Tweaker).

With the Structure Modifier, you can:

  • Use the source document created with Structure Editor or another HTML-editor as a starting point.
  • Use the Continuation Element Wizard in Structure Modifier to add the continuation elements after headings and page numbers.
  • Include additional skippable content wherever you like in the source document.
  • Save the modified source document, now complete with skippable content, and compliant with the recommendation.

The Structure Modifier is available free of charge to members of the DAISY Consortium.


For more information, please visit the official website for Structure Modifier.

Structured Text Document Editor (STD Editor)

The STD editor (Structured Text Document editor) enables a user with little or no skills in mark up languages to produce XML and HTML documents valid to the standard for Digital Talking Books (both DAISY 2.02 and ANSI/NISO Z39.86-2002).

The STD editor facilitates the generation of master-files in XML for any production of structured documents: e-books in HTML, source-files for Digital Talking Books, well-structured files for the Internet etc.

For more information, see the Website or contact Marketing coordinator Jakob B. Rasmussen


For more information, please visit the official website for Structured Text Document Editor (STD Editor).

Studio Recorder

Studio Recorder from the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) is a digital recording software package with support for conversion to DAISY 3, ANSI/NISO Z39.86 2002 content. Studio Recorder should be used with APH's Book Wizard Producer when working on conversion.

"Originally created by APH to serve as an internal tool for creating direct-to-digital audio recordings, Studio RecorderTM contains many features that make recording, editing, and proof reading audio books easy. It is a powerful digital recording and editing software package geared specifically to making recordings of the spoken word and includes features not found in similar programs primarily designed for music production."


For more information, please visit the official website for Studio Recorder.

Synthetic Talking E-Book Generator (STEB Generator)

Generate Digital Talking Books using synthetic speech with the STEB Generator (Synthetic Talking E-Book Generator). The production process is very fast. It takes approximately 1 hour to generate 8 hours of recording with synthetic speech. Audiobooks with synthetic e reference books, newspapers, indexes, manuals, etc. The STEB Generator needs very little human interaction which means a very short production time at a very low cost.

The STEB Generator uses an XML file as a source. In addition to the STEB Generator, a speech synthesizer will be required.


For more information, please visit the official website for Synthetic Talking E-Book Generator (STEB Generator).

TAB Player for Thai and English

This free software player supports DAISY 2.0 and 2.02.


For more information, please visit the official website for TAB Player for Thai and English.

Tobi - Tool for Authoring Accessible e-Books

Tobi is an authoring environment geared towards re-purposing published material, for example: to add audio narration to a text-only document, to synchronize a podcast with a structured script, or to review and improve an existing Digital Talking Book publication. To create text from scratch, we recommend popular editors such as Microsoft Word or Open-Office, which can both produce DTBook markup thanks to their respective Save as DAISY add-ins. More information is available in the Tobi project area. Brief introduction in DAISY 3 format, presented at the eBook Accessbility Symposium at the National Federation of the Blind in December 2011, is also available for download. You may need to install our free DAISY Reader AMIS to play back the overview. Please visit the Tobi blog and subscribe to the RSS feed to get notified about project updates.

TPB Reader

TPB Reader is a DAISY 2.0 and DAISY 2.02 compliant software player designed to be easy to learn even by those with little or no computer experience. Even though it is easy-to-use, the software is powerful enough to satisfy more "advanced" users.

TPB Reader works on Windows® operating systems.

Feature highlights include:

  • Auto-detection of available books. TPB Reader automatically scans the system and presents available DTBs to the user in a bookshelf;
  • NCC-only and Full Text view modes;
  • Time Scale Modification - ability to speed up or slow down the narration without affecting the pitch;
  • Fully selfvoicing - external speech synthesizer is not necessary;
  • Stylesheets - the user may apply his/her own or predefined Cascading Stylesheets (CSS) to control the visual display of the text;
  • IPP Support - TPB Reader can play protected DAISY DTBs; and
  • National Language Customization - The user interface (auditory and textual prompts) of TPB Reader can be translated into any language.

TPB Reader is made available at no cost worldwide. However, TPB (The Swedish Library of Talking Books and Braille) does not offer end-user support outside Sweden.


For more information, please visit the official website for TPB Reader.

Victor Reader Classic

Victor Reader Classic is a simple and easy to use portable player ideal for leisure reading, best-sellers, novels, magazines, newspapers, etc. It offers basic navigation features like browsing the table of contents, skipping from section to section or from page to page.


For more information, please visit the official website for Victor Reader Classic.

Victor Reader Classic +

This HumanWare hardware player is the professional solution for more demanding environments such as schools, libraries, public areas. Designed for professionals and students, it's essential for reading complex and highly structured books like textbooks, reference works and school manuals. It supports all DAISY navigation levels and has advanced functionality such as skipping instantly to a specific page and placing multiple bookmarks. The Classic + offers a slot drive mechanism for the CD drive as well as a full numeric keypad to rapidly and accurately navigate throughout books.


For more information, please visit the official website for Victor Reader Classic +.

Victor Reader ClassicX

Victor Reader ClassicX

Simple, easy navigation through novels, magazines and other leisure books. Simple and friendly, Victor Reader ClassicX is ideal for your favorite leisure reading, best-sellers, novels, magazines etc. It offers basic navigation features like browsing the table of contents, skipping from section to section or from page to page.


For more information, please visit the official website for Victor Reader ClassicX.

Victor Reader ClassicX +

Victor Reader ClassicX +

The professional solution for more demanding environments (schools, libraries, public areas) Designed for professionals and students, it's essential for reading complex and highly structured books like textbooks, reference works and school manuals. It supports all DAISY navigation levels and has advanced functionality such as skipping instantly to a specific page and placing multiple bookmarks.


For more information, please visit the official website for Victor Reader ClassicX +.

Victor Reader Soft

Victor Reader Soft is a computer application for reading digital audio books. It provides several unique features for fast and easy navigation through a book structure as well as saving information within the book such as bookmarks, text annotation and customizing the display parameters. Victor Reader Soft combines the audio and text mode that let you read the text on screen synchronized with audio, and the software is fully accessible to print disabled persons.


For more information, please visit the official website for Victor Reader Soft.

Victor Reader Stratus12

Victorreader Stratus12

Stratus12 models have telephone-style number pad for navigation to specific pages.They play DAISY 2.0 and 2.02 content and MP3 files.


Latest Release:

Victor Reader Stratus12 2011-05-16

Students and professionals may prefer the Stratus12 models with 12-key number pad for navigation to specific pages in highly structured publications such as reference and text books. More information can be found on the HumanWare website.

Victor Reader Stratus4

Victor Reader Stratus4

The Victor Reader Stratus continues the legacy of HumanWare’s 13-year history of developing simple, easy-to-use audio book players. The Victor Reader Stratus comes in a new look enclosure that is smaller and lighter on the outside, yet smarter and better sounding on the inside. The Stratus plays DAISY and other multimedia books and music from CDs, SD cards and USB flash drives. Choose any of the Stratus4 models with its simple 4-arrow keypad to easily navigate novels, magazines, and newspapers. Students and professionals may prefer the Stratus12 models with its telephone-style number pad for navigation to specific pages in highly structured publications such as reference and text books. For those who like the most simple operation possible, attaching the optional keypad cover hides all but the most essential keys to simulate a traditional cassette player.


Latest Release:

Victor Reader Stratus4 2011-05-06

All Victor Reader Stratus models feature large, tactile, high-contrast keys, a built-in speaker and headphone jack as well as self-voicing controls. Users can take and operate their Victor Reader Stratus anywhere, using its rechargeable battery and integrated carrying handle. More information can be found on the HumanWare website.

Victor Reader Stream

Victor Reader Stream

The Stream is HumanWare's most portable, powerful DAISY/NISO and MP3 player. It is a hand-held (117 x 66 x 22mm) player using an SD flash memory card for storing content. It connects to computers as a USB device to transfer book and music files. The Stream also has an embedded text-to-speech capability to play text only or synchronized full text/full audio DAISY books, simple text and html files. Variable speed playback is supported for all recorded and text formats. Other advanced DAISY features including Go To Page, Go To Heading, simple bookmarks, highlight bookmarks, and processing skippable elements. It also built-in voice recording capability for recording voice notes, audio bookmarks, etc.

Highlighted features:

  • Multi-level bookshelf navigation for other books, podcasts, as well as text and multi-level folder navigation within music files.
  • Music can be organized by levels such as genre, artist, and album and users can navigate at those levels to more quickly find desired music. Random play can be turned on or off with a single key press like many commercial MP3 players.
  • Users can enter words to search for in text files or text-only DAISY books.
  • Users have the ability to create nested folders on the Other Books, Podcast, and Text File bookshelves that were introduced in version 3.0. Now extended to include the multi-level Talking Books bookshelf. Victor Reader Stream users can now optionally create nested folders within the $VRDTB bookshelf folder and navigate the structure while browsing the Talking Books bookshelf.
  • Stream 3.1 will allow you to copy DAISY books from USB flash media such as flash memory sticks or the NLS cartridges used by the NLS library in the USA and the AFWA library in Western Australia. Each USB flash book must be in its own folder. When you attach a cartridge or flash media the Stream will automatically start playing the first DAISY book on the media. Once the book is playing you can optionally press key 3 to copy it to the Talking Books bookshelf of your SD card.

For full details and the most recent news on the Stream, visit the VictorReader Stream page on the HumanWare site.


Latest Release:

Victor Reader Stream Version 3.3 2010-11-25 This upgrade gives access to Japanese and Chinese TTS voices, allows for more information to be provided about some books, and fixes some bugs. HumanWare recommends performing the upgrade, and using the Stream, in conjunction with the recently-announced version 3.3 of the Stream Companion software, as the program contains an automatic update feature.

For more information, please visit the official website for Victor Reader Stream.

Victor Reader Stream CD Edition

Stream CD Edition

Victor Reader Stream CD Edition combines the world renowned Victor Reader Stream and a special CD player accessory. Perfect for people who do not have a personal computer. It is the easiest way to transfer a collection of DAISY books to CDs onto one single, portable audio playback device, without the use of a PC.

Key Benefits:

  • Ideal for readers who do not use a personal computer and who want the benefit of a pocket size Stream DAISY/MP3 player
  • The perfect solution to transition from using Victor Reader Wave to Victor Reader Stream

Latest Release:

Victor Reader Stream CD Edition 2010-03-05 This player is well-suited for people who do not have a personal computer. It is easy to transfer a collection of DAISY books on CDs onto one single, portable audio playback device, without the use of a PC. Details are available on the HumanWare website.

Victor Reader Stream Library Edition

HumanWare logo

The new Victor Reader Stream Library Edition is easy to use and it plays the new NLS book cartridges. It comes with a book cartridge holder that attaches to the back of the Stream and allows users to play the cartridge directly on the player. It is designed to detect and start playing the book cartridge when you insert it. It will even resume playing the book from where you left it the last time..


Latest Release:

Victor Reader Stream Library Edition 2009-09-30

The new Victor Reader Stream Library Edition is easy to use. It plays the new NLS book cartridges and comes with a book cartridge holder that attaches to the back of the Stream and allows users to play the cartridge directly on the player. More information is available on the HumanWare website.

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