Conversion Tools & Services

Microsoft's Word Add-in translates Word documents into DAISY XML.

Further transformation from DAISY XML to a full DAISY file set will be possible using one of the conversion tools such as EasyConverter (Dolphin), eClipseWriter (IRTI), gh Player (gh LLC) and the DAISY Pipeline (DAISY Consortium).

The "Save as DAISY XML - Microsoft" project area provides current information and related communications about the Microsoft Word add-in, as well as links for downloading the latest version.

a2digital is available from the Danish National Library for the Blind (DBB) 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, see the Website or contact Head of IT and Finance: Thomas K. Christensen at tkc (at) dbb.dk.

Book Wizard Producer by APH is a full-featured production software for creating DAISY 3, ANSI/NISO Z39.86 2002 content. The software can read DAISY 2.02 content, but it does not create it. Find out more about this product's capabilities and download a demonstration at their Web site.

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

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

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.

For more information, please use the DAISY Contact Us Form, selecting the "Project: DAISY Pipeline" category.

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 on line production site.

For information, downloads, and the online DTBMaker, please visit http://w3.wmcnet.org/dtbmaker/

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 into 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 uses to jump to any navigation point in the
audiobook file when used on an iPod.

DTB2iTunes is free. Download DTB2iTunes

Duxbury Braille Translator™ (DBT) version 10.7 includes 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.

To learn more about DBT 10.7, see http://www.duxburysystems.com/dbt.asp. For information on obtaining MathType, see http://www.dessci.com/mathtype/.

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.
• New in release 3.01, support for conversion of DAISY XML (DTBook) files

eClipseWriter Personal Edition

eClipseWriter Personal Edition is an affordable (MSRP $249.95) 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 2.02 Digital Talking Book. eClipseWriter lets you make accessible media when you want it, and when you need it, without any reliance on third parties. Whether you are an individual, educational facility, government organization, or corporation that needs to create accessible media, eClipseWriter is the tool for you!

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 Personal Edition Outputs:
DAISY 2.02 Audio book types 3, 4 and text only media DAISY type 6
Audio Formats: Compressed WAV, Uncompressed WAV and WMA
Other output formats include M3U and Apple Ipod play lists.

eClipseWriter Personal Edition's self-voicing word processor reads and writes: Text, HTML, Word, RTF and reads unlocked PDF.

eClipseWriter Personal includes a DAISY recorder that Supports heading level navigation recording in compressed WAV audio. The recorder can be used to make simple audio DAISY books or the recorder can be used as a simple classroom or meeting recorder with the ability to insert heading markers on the fly while recording. It automates Table and List formatting and includes a fully automated DAISY build book Wizard feature called "Save As DAISY".

eClipseWriter Professional

eClipseWriter Professional Outputs:
DAISY 2.02, DAISY / NISO 2002, DAISY / NISO 2005, audio book types 3, 4, and Text only Media DAISY type 6 books
NIMAS DTbook files
M3U and Apple Ipod play lists

eClipseWriter professional Edition also reads and writes: Text, HTML, Word, RTF and reads unlocked PDF.

eClipseWriter Professional creates. DTB-DNA (a single file comprised of structured text) and DTB-RDNA (A single file comprised of structured text, audio and graphics). These files are used to efficiently store and distribute all formats of DAISY media over the internet. These compressed and encrypted files are capable of transforming into over 30 formats of accessible media enabled by eClipseWater. A file as small as 500K can be delivered to a client where they may convert it, using eClipseWater, into an average size novel and then played in MP3 DAISY audio device. The audio book can be made portable by the end user when stored on a flash memory, hard drive or standard data CD freeing them from an Internet tethered computer.

eClipseWriter Professional includes a DAISY recorder identical to the personal edition, but supports audio format MP3. It also automates the Table and List formatting and supports skipable heading elements and includes fully automated DAISY build book Wizard called "Save As DAISY". It also includes other advanced produciton features such as: Special Pages, Can build Multi-Voice books, has word processor graphic tools.

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 our office toll free in the United States at 800.322.4784 or visit our web site at www.irti.net.

The gh PLAYER® 2.2 Premium Version provides the functionality present in gh PLAYER® 2.2, and also includes these additional important features:

• Full MathML support
• Import DAISY XML/DTBook (output from "Save As DAISY XML")
• Import text file
• Save DAISY book
• Bundled Nuance Voices

The gh PLAYER® 2.2 and 2.2 Premium 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.

The gh PLAYER® 2.2 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

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

• Output: Can be used to create NCC-only and full text DTBs.
• Scripts for Jaws for Windows and maps for Supernova are available. Please check the DAISY Web site for the latest versions. Requires external synthesizer.

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.

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 is available to Members of the DAISY Consortium.

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

• Output: Can be used to create NCC-only and full text DTBs.
• Scripts for Jaws for Windows and maps for Supernova are available. Please check the DAISY Web site for the latest versions. Requires external synthesizer.

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.

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 is available to Members of the DAISY Consortium.

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

• Dolphin MAP for LpStudio/Pro
• Jaws Scripts for LpStudio/Pro
• LpStudio/Pro documentation
• LpStudio/Pro Official Release Candidate
• Structure Editor Launcher

This new release of MyStudio PC, v2.04, includes numerous fixes and improvements. A license is required. It is available to Members of the DAISY Consortium at no cost. License for non-commercial use is also provided free of cost to not-for-profit organisations in developing countries.

• Output: can be used to create 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.

The software 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 information, please use the Contact Us form (General Category) on the DAISY Web site.

• MyStudio PC 2.04
• MyStudio PC Guidelines
• MyStudio PC Release Notes V2.04

Plextor's PTR2 replaces 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.

The PTR2 can be operated in 2 main modes: "Normal" mode and "Book Creator" mode. It is possible to switch between these 2 modes at any time. Normal mode has a simplified interface and makes the process of recording very straightforward. This mode is ideal for a beginner or for someone who wants to make a recording quickly and easily. Book Creator mode provides all of the necessary tools to create a fully structured DAISY 2.02 book including insert, punch in and overwrite recording, phrase editing and the ability to set heading levels.

• Output: Can be used to create 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. It is available to Members of the DAISY Consortium at no cost. License for non-commercial use of Sigtuna DAR is also provided free of cost by JSRPD to not-for-profit organisations in developing countries.

Sigtuna DAR 3 can not be used without an individual license. If your organization needs a license, please contact daisy_c@dinf.ne.jp. Please include the information about your organization and name of the representative in your email.

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.

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

• Jaws Scripts for SigtunaDAR3
• Sigtuna DAR 3 Final Release
• Sigtuna DAR3 Release Notes for final release