Audiobook Player

Please Submit Equipment requests to: 1-800-792-8322 or tbbc@njstatelib.org

Exploring Your Digital Talking Book Player

The digital audiobook player you received from TBBC is provided by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Watch/Listen to an audio-described video demonstration of the very easy-to-use standard digital audiobook player.

There are two models of the audiobook playeris that each button is large, each button has a braille label, and each button speaks to you. If you would like to change the model that you received, just call TBBC:

Standard Model: large, easy-to-use buttons for play/stop, control of volume, speed and tone of reader, rewind/fast forward buttons and a sleep button.

Advanced Model: The advanced model has all of the buttons of the standard model plus advanced features for navigation, such as moving through chapters, digital bookmarking, etc

The digital talking book machine (DTBM) is designed for easy use and long term durability.  You will find there are many features to this player that will help bring you hours and hours of reading pleasure.  To begin getting familiar with the machine, you are encouraged to explore the internal user guide built right into the player.  You can activate the internal user guide when no books are inserted into the player by turning the player on and holding down the play/stop button.  The user guide will explain the various functions and operations of the player.  You can learn about the functions of each key of the player by turning on the player and touching a key while no books are inserted into the player.  

For Spanish speaking readers, the player can be switched to a Spanish language operating mode by following the instructions found at:

English to Spanish DTBM web site   

(Please note that changing the settings to Spanish only applies to the instruction manual and function keys.  It does not translate an English narrated book into Spanish.)

If your player has been set to Spanish and you wish to reset it for English, you will find instructions for resetting the player to English at:

Spanish to English DTBM web site

You can learn more about the digital talking book player and how to operate it by going to the National Library Services website at:

Digital Talking Book Machine Operation Overview    

Returning Equipment to TBBC

With each player we ship, we include a form for you to complete when you return the player to TBBC. On this form, please check off whether you need a replacement player or if you wish to cancel your service. Place this form in the box with your equipment to be returned.  Please be sure to put your name on the form.  You must call us at (800) 792-8322 or return the form included with your player to receive a replacement.

How to return defective or no longer needed audiobook equipment:

1. Pack the equipment in the box or package it was received, securing it in place to prevent damage.  To secure the player you can use crumpled newspaper, Styrofoam blocks, bubble wrap or any other material that will protect the equipment. If you no longer have the box in which your machine was received, any box you can find will do, as long as you’ve secured the player.
2. Use the same Free Matter mailing card received with the player.  Turn the card over so the hole in the card is positioned in the lower left corner, then insert the mailing card in the clear plastic mailing card pocket.   Please do not write anything on the mailing card.  If you do not have a mailing card, either call our library to request one or write "Free Matter for the Blind" in the upper right hand corner and address the box to our library: New Jersey State Library Talking Book & Braille Center, 2300 Stuyvesant Avenue, Trenton, New Jersey 08618.
3. Your package is now ready for the post office. There is no charge to return your equipment using this method.

Trouble Shooting your Digital Talking Book Player

If you have a problem with your digital talking book player, there are a few steps you can take to try to diagnose the problem:

1. Turn the player on while simultaneously holding down the Tone Up, Rewind and Sleep buttons.
2. If there is an error in your player, you will hear the player announce one of the following error messages:
   1. Cartridge Error
   2. Assistive Technology Error
   3. Power Error
   4. System Error
3. To erase these errors, hold down the Sleep button for 5 seconds.
4. The player will shut off.

If you have followed all of the steps above and the player is still not working, it could be that the battery needs to be replaced. First, make sure that the battery is recharged by plugging the power cord, found on the back of the player, into an outlet. It takes approximately 2 hours for the battery to recharge.  If the battery does not recharge, pack up the player and ship it back to TBBC following the steps described above in "Returning Equipment to TBBC." We will replace the battery and return the player to you.

Resetting the Digital Talking Book Player

Should you wish to reset your profile, you can reset the machine. To do this, turn the player off and simultaneously, hold down these buttons:

• Power
• Tone Up
• Speed Up
• Volume Up. 

When you you hear, "Creating a New Profile,”  the player is reset. 

Recharging the Battery

To recharge the battery, plug the power cord (found on the back of the machine) into an outlet.  It takes approximately 2 hours for the battery to fully recharge.

Accessing the Bookshelf

When you download multiple books to a flash drive, you need to access the bookshelf to find each book.  To locate the bookshelf, hold down the square, green, Play/Stop button until you hear “bookshelf.”  Then, use the fast forward and rewind buttons to locate each book.

Keep Your Player's Software Updated

The National Library Service issues updates for the players. Select this link to learn more about how to update the DTBM software.

Accessories for the Digital Talking Book Player

The following digital talking book player accessories are available from our library:

• Head phone adapter
• Thumb drive elbow to hold thumb drives perpendicular to the player
• Pillow speakers

Patrons are required to purchase their own headphones or ear buds.  You can find these at most electronics stores. 

List of Players that are Compatible with TBBC's Audiobooks

The audiobooks provided by TBBC are produced by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS). These audiobooks and BARD files will play only on devices authorized by NLS.  Here is a list of these players.

Enjoy your new digital talking book player and Read On!

You can always call TBBC with any questions at 1-800-792-8322.