Audiobook Players

Individuals, places and libraries registered with the NJ State Library Talking Book and Braille Center (TBBC) are eligible to receive a no-cost, long-term loan of an easy-to-use Digital Talking Book Machine (DTBM).

I do not know what I would do without the audio books that you send me. I listen voraciously and have for years. They both educate and entertain me. I depend in large part upon your services to maintain a full and interesting life. THANK YOU!

—The Rev. Wade A. Renn, TBBC Patron Testimonials

About the DTBM

Models of the DTBM

There are two easy to use models of talking book machines. Each model features large buttons with braille labels, and each button provides spoken feedback. On the right side, you’ll find a headphone jack and a USB port.

• Standard Model (DS1): Large, easy-to-use buttons for play/stop, control of volume, speed and tone of reader, rewind/fast forward buttons and a sleep button. For an audio tutorial about this player, hold the large, square play/stop button until you hear it speak “Standard Player User Guide.”
• Advanced Model (DA1): 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. For an audio tutorial about this model of the player, find the white, diamond-shaped info button on the top of the player and hold it down until you hear it speak “Advanced Player User Guide.”
• The new NLS (DA2) Player, coming out later this year, is pictured above.

You can learn about the functions of each button of the player, with no books inserted, by turning on the talking book machine and touching a button; it will speak its function.

Exchanging Models

If you would like to change the model received, just call TBBC at 1-800-792-8322.

DTBM will play music (Not Provided)

You can listen to music on your Audiobook Player.

Please Note: TBBC does not provide music, or devices for downloading such as flash drives or blank cartridges.

• Supported formats: MP3 and RIFF WAV
• Must be downloaded to a clean flash drive, that does not have any other files.
• The flash drive is then inserted into the USB port, on the right side of the player.

List of TBBC Audiobook compatible players

The audiobooks provided by TBBC are produced by NLS. These audiobooks and BARD files will play only on devices authorized by them.

Accessories for the DTBM

TBBC provides several no-cost accessories. A TBBC member should call us to order any of the following:

• Breath switch. For those who cannot use hands to start and stop a book.
• Lightweight over-the-ear headphones.
• USB extender for a flash drive. The USB extender allows a flash drive to sit parallel to the machine.

TBBC does not provide devices for downloading, such as flash drives or blank cartridges. Patrons or Libraries can buy blank digital talking book cartridges; NLS provides a list of sources.

Audiobooks, audio magazines and Braille files can be downloaded from BARD.

Special feature: Change the language of the machine’s instructions.

For Spanish speaking readers, the digital talking book machine can be switched to a Spanish language operating mode by following the instructions:

English to Spanish instructions

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

1. Turn off player. Make sure the player is plugged into an outlet.
2. Hold down the Tone Down, Sleep, and Rewind buttons and press the Power button. After a few seconds, the player will beep and say “Player on” and then “Player Status.”
3. Press the Rewind button twice. Player will say “Set Language.”
4. Press the Play button. Player will say “English.”
5. Press Fast Forward; then press Play. Player speaks Spanish.
6. Turn the player off.
7. Turn the player on and insert the Spanish book.

Spanish to English instructions

English is the default language of the player. Spanish is the secondary language. To change the player to English, follow these steps:

1. Turn off player. Make sure the player is plugged into an outlet.
2. Hold down the Tone Down, Sleep, and Rewind buttons and press the Power button. Begin Counting. Before you reach 10, the player will beep and say “Reproductor Encendido” and then “Estado del Reproductor.”
3. Press the Rewind button twice. Player will say “Asignar El Idioma.”
4. Press the Play button. Player will say “Ingles.”
5. Press the Play button again. The player will now speak English.
6. Turn the player off and insert your English book.

Returning equipment to TBBC

With each digital talking book machine 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, call our library to request one at 800-792-8322.
3. Your package is now ready for the post office. There is no charge to return your equipment using this method.

Troubleshooting your DTBM

If you have a problem with your 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 DTBM

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

The battery will only recharge when the battery charge is very low.

1. With the player on, press the power button again to hear how many hours of battery life you have left on the machine.
2. When you hear 6 hours, recharge the battery.
3. To do this, plug the power cord (found on the back of the machine) into an outlet. The battery will NOT automatically recharge each time you plug the cord into an outlet.
4. It takes approximately 2 hours for the battery to fully recharge.

If the battery will not recharge, call TBBC at 800-792-8322.

Check for Errors and Reset it

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: Cartridge Error, Assistive Technology Error, Power Error, System Error.
3. To erase these errors, hold down the Sleep button for 5 seconds. The player will shut off.
4. Try resetting the machine again. This will erase any personal settings you have on the machine. To do this, refer to the section above about resetting.
5. 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 in the original box. We will replace the battery and return the player to you.

Are there software updates for the DTBM?

Yes, it is important to keep the players up-to-date on their software. You can determine which version of software is on your player by pressing the sleep button ten times.

The player will read the serial number of the player and then read the software version. Watch for software updates here.

Do You Still Have Questions?

• Email: tbbc@njstatelib.org
• Phone: 800-792-8322 ext. 0
• Fax: 609-406-7181

TBBC is open to walk-in visitors Monday through Friday 8:00, a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and State Holidays.

Servicios Hispanos

• Llame gratis al 800-792-8322 ext. 822; o envíe un correo electrónico a tbbcspanish@njstatelib.org.
• TBBC abre cinco días a la semana, de 8:00 a. m. a 3:30 p. m., de lunes a viernes. Cerramos los sábados, domingos y días festivos estatales.

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