Hi Dan:
The BookSense comes in two models, I'm not sure of the prices, but I think
the less expensive one is comparable to the VR Stream and the more expensive
one is somewhere in the vicinity of $500. The more expensive model has an FM
radio, as well as bluetooth capability, which means you won't have headphone
wires hanging around and getting caught on things. I looked at the BookSense
at the 2010 CSUN conference last March and it is shaped very much like a
small flip-style cell phone. It's much smaller than the VR Stream, and would
be easier to carry with you, especially if you like to hang your reader on
your belt and move around while you listen. It also plays MS Word files,
along with many other file formats.
As far as the volume on the Stream: I own the Stream and have noticed that
the volume is very low using the built in speakers, but with either
headphones or external speakers plugged in, it goes substantially higher.
Without anything plugged into the headphone jack, the volume level stops at
10; with headphones/speakers plugged in, it goes up to 15. I have had no
trouble listening to NLS books, MP3 files, or text files this way. So the
volume shouldn't be a problem if you use something besides the built-in
speakers.
Below are a couple of links to check out the specs on the BookSense,
including an audio demonstration.
http://www.gwmicro.com/Booksense/
http://access4.us/2010/03/booksenseaww/
Here are a couple of links with info about the VR Stream:
http://www.humanware.com/en-usa/products/blindness/dtb_players/compact_models/why_choose_the_stream
http://access4.us/2010/03/victorstreamaww/
HTH
Deanne
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dan Mccurley" <bearea...@bellsouth.net>
To: <blind-computing@jaws-users.com>
Sent: Sunday, October 17, 2010 11:09 AM
Subject: Re: [Blind-Computing] Best player for listening to books
Hi; I, too, am struggling with which player to buy. I saw the stream once
for a short time but I wasn't impressed with the sound; also I didn't like
that the volume level, to me, was low. Do you know anymore about the book
sense that might help me make up my mind. Thanks,
Dan
----- Original Message -----
From: "Deanne Miller" <jawsstude...@gmail.com>
To: <blind-computing@jaws-users.com>
Sent: Sunday, November 07, 2010 11:57 AM
Subject: Re: [Blind-Computing] Best player for listening to books
I own the Victor Stream. If I'm not mistaken, the Book Sense uses the
Eloquence synthesizer, like JAWS. In my opinion, the Victor Stream has the
worst synthesizer of all three readers. I had the old Book Port, and the
synthesizer wasn't the greatest, but it pronounced most words correctly.
What bothers me most about the VR Stream is the pronunciation. If I had it
to do over again, I would buy the Book Sense.
Hth,
Deanne
----- Original Message -----
From: "Arianna" <acale...@frontiernet.net>
To: <blind-computing@jaws-users.com>
Sent: Friday, November 05, 2010 1:41 PM
Subject: Re: [Blind-Computing] Best player for listening to books
In my opinion, the best book player available is the BookSense. The
male and female voices are better than other players out there and I
like the size of the BookSense. I drag mine all over the place and with
an 8 gig card installed, I am able to put loads of books on it.
Arianna
----- Original Message -----
From: "Maria Campbell" <lucky1i...@sbcglobal.net>
To: <blind-computing@jaws-users.com>
Sent: Friday, November 05, 2010 2:14 PM
Subject: [Blind-Computing] Best player for listening to books
I hope this isn't off topic, and if it is, I'm sure someone will slap my
hand.
I download books from both Bookshare and the NLS site.
I'd like to know which is the best player to listen to both types of
books and the best voice for listening pleasure.
I believe the BookPort does this, but with a horrendous synthesizer.
Sunny Day
Maria Campbell
lucky1i...@sbcglobal.net
When the power of love
is stronger than the love of power
then the world will know peace.
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