Learning Ally (formerly Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic)

Learning Ally a nonprofit volunteer organization, is the nation's educational library serving people who cannot effectively read standard print because of visual impairment, dyslexia, or other physical disability.

National Headquarters
20 Roszel Road
Princeton, New Jersey 08540
United States
Telephone: 800-221-4792 or 866-732-3585.
Fax: 609-987-8116.
Web: http://www.learningally.org.
Email: custserv@LearningAlly.org.

Discontinued products distributed by Learning Ally (formerly Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic) (listed alphabetically)

1. CLASSMATE STANDARD

   --- Discontinued. Verified 12/2011. Retained in database for reference. --- The Classmate Standard is a four track cassette talking book player-recorder designed for children and adults who are blind or have low vision or learning disabilities. This desktop model plays both four track and two track tapes, including the recorded four track cassette textbooks supplied to eligible students by Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D). The Classmate Standard can also record both four-track and two-track tapes, and can add tone indexing to tapes. The Classmate Standard has a built-in microphone and can erase tapes. Playback features include variable speed output, which allows the user to listen to tapes at faster and slower speeds, and access to tone indexing. Other features include a pause button, a tape counter, a tactile tape motion sensor window, and headphones. POWER: Uses four C batteries (included) or an alternating current (AC) adapter. OPTIONS: Compact and large earmuff-style headphones, and a headset adapter to allow up to six individuals to listen to the same tape. DIMENSIONS (LxW): 10.25 x 5.5 inches. WEIGHT: Two pounds. WARRANTY: One year.

2. PLEXTALK (MODEL PTN 1)

   --- DISCONTINUED. (Verified 08/2009) RETAINED IN DATABASE FOR REFERENCE. --- The Plextalk, model PTN 1 Pro, is a digital talking book player designed for use by individuals who are blind or have low vision. This device plays talking books and music that have been recorded on compact disc (CD) in the international DAISY format. Discs can be heard either through an internal speaker or with headphones. POWER: Uses one rechargeable nickel hydrogen battery or alternating current (AC) adapter (240 volts, 50/60 Hertz). This device plays DAISY compact discs for 5 hours and music compact discs for 2.5 hoursper battery charge. DIMENSIONS (HxLxWxD): 2.2 x 8.66 x 6.77 inches. WEIGHT: 2.65 pounds (1.2 kilograms).

3. PLEXTALK DAISY PLAYER (MODEL PTN 1 PRO)

   --- DISCONTINUED. (Verified 2/2013) RETAINED IN DATABASE FOR REFERENCE. --- The PLEXTALK Daisy Player, model PTN 1 Pro, is a digital talking book player designed for use by individuals who are blind or have low vision. Its hardware is the same as the model PTN1 CD player (see separate entry) except for the printing of the keypad. This device plays talking books and music that have been recorded on compact disc (CD) or MP3CD in the international DAISY format. Discs can be heard either through an internal speaker or with headphones. POWER: Uses one rechargeable nickel hydrogen battery or alternating current (AC) adapter (240 volts, 50/60 Hertz). This device plays DAISY compact discs for 5 hours and music compact discs for 2.5 hours per battery charge. DIMENSIONS (HxLxWxD): 2.2 x 8.66 x 6.77 inches. WEIGHT: 2.65 pounds (1.2 kilograms).

4. PLEXTALK PORTABLE RECORDER (MODEL PTR1)

   --- DISCONTINUED. (Verified 12/2006) RETAINED IN DATABASE FOR REFERENCE. -- The Plextalk Portable Recorder, model PTR1, is a digital talking book player and recorder designed for use by individuals who are blind or have low vision or learning disabilities. It can play back digital talking books recorded under the international DAISY standards, and can record CD's with DAISY navigation features. Up to 90 hours can be recorded on a single recordable CD using a built-in microphone or optional external microphone. A Line-In feature allows conversion of existing analog recordings to DAISY disc. In addition to DAISY format, recordings can be made in MP3 or PCM formats, and taken from a personal computer (PC), CD player, or radio. When attached to a personal computer (PC) via a USB interface, this player/recorder can transfer recordings into the PC, where DAISY format recordings can be edited or reorganized using the included Plextalk Recording Software (CD Recording/Mastering software is not included). Playback features for digital talking books include user-created bookmarks, up to 30 minutes of voice annotation, direct page or heading navigation, and adjustable playback speed. In addition to DAISY formatted CD's, this device can play MP3 Audio and standard music CD's. Functions of each key are announced aloud, as are the total time, elapsed time, remaining time, and recorded date/time of digital talking books. CD are inserted and removed through a slot-in drive. Other features include an expandable PC memory card slot (Type II), a calendar, an on/off timer, a voice calculator, and a built-in monitor speaker. REQUIREMENTS: Can be connected via USB port to IBM and compatible computers. COMPATIBILITY: Plextalk Recording Software runs on Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP operating systems. POWER: Uses rechargeable battery or alternating current (AC) adapter. DIMENSIONS (HxLxW): 1.5 x 7.1 x 5.9 inches. WEIGHT: 1.89 pounds. WARRANTY: 1 year.

5. PROFESSOR DESKTOP AUDIO SYSTEM

   --- DISCONTINUED. Verified 12/2011. Retained in database for reference. --- The Professor Desktop Audio System is a talking book player designed for use by individuals who are blind or have low vision. This unit plays talking books in both digital CD and four-track cassette formats. It also includes an accessible AM/FM radio with direct station tuning, 64 radio presets, and a "where am I" button for audible station identification. The CD player is compatible with DAISY CDs, standard CDs, CD-R, and MP3 CDs. It automatically detects the media format in use. Features include a key describer function; bookmarking (DAISY CDs); button navigation by page, chapter, or section (DAISY CDs); voice speed-up or slow-down (DAISY or cassette talking books); and the ability to save the playback position (DAISY and MP3 CDs). POWER: Uses rechargeable battery or an alternating current (AC) adapter (included). WEIGHT: 6.2 pounds. WARRANTY: One year.

6. SONY PORTABLE STANDARD 4-TRACK CASSETTE PLAYER, MODEL TCM-4TR

   --- DISCONTINUED (Verified 1/2011) RETAINED IN DATABASE FOR REFERENCE. --- The Sony Portable Standard 4-Track Cassette Player, model TCM-4TR, is a four track cassette talking book player designed for children and adults who are blind or have low vision or learning disabilities. It is a monaural player of four track tapes recorded in Library of Congress format, including the recorded four track cassette textbooks supplied to eligible students by Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D). It also plays and records standard two track tapes, and is capable of double-speed recording of two track tapes, allowing twice as much information on a tape. It can erase tapes and is capable of stereo recording of two track tapes. It comes with headphones and both built-in and external microphones. Playback features include variable speed output, enabling the user to listen to tapes at faster and slower speeds, and access to tone indexing, the audible beeps that indicate a new chapter or section in a talking book. POWER: Uses two AA batteries (not included). COLOR: Black. DIMENSIONS (HxLxW): 1.5 x 3.5 x 4.5 inches. WEIGHT: Eight ounces.

7. SONY SERIES

   --- Discontinued. Verified 12/2011. Retained in database for reference. --- The Sony Series is a four track cassette talking book player designed for children and adults who are blind or have low vision or learning disabilities. This desktop model plays both four track and two track tapes, including the recorded four track cassette textbooks supplied to eligible students by Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D). The Sony Series can record two track tapes, but cannot erase tapes. The microphone is built-in. Playback features include variable speed output, with both faster and extra-slow speeds, and access to tone indexing, the audible beeps that indicate a new chapter or section in a talking book. Other features include a pause button, auto shut-off, a tape counter, and a fully retractable handle. POWER: Uses four AA batteries (not included) or an alternating current (AC) adapter. OPTIONS: Compact and large-earmuff-style headphones, and a headset adapter to allow up to six individuals to listen to the same tape. DIMENSIONS (HxLxW): 1.75 x 8.75 x 5.25 inches. WEIGHT: Two pounds. WARRANTY: Six months.

8. TUTOR

   --- DISCONTINUED. Verified 12/2011. Retained in database for reference. --- The Tutor is a four track cassette talking book player designed for use by children and adults who are blind or have low vision or learning disabilities. This portable model plays both four track and two track tapes, including Library of Congress talking books and the recorded four track cassette textbooks supplied to eligible students by Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D). The player can erase tapes and record two track tapes in stereo. It comes with headphones and built-in and external microphones. Playback features include variable speed output, enabling the user to listen to tapes at two speeds, 15/16 and 1 7/8 inches per second, and access to tone indexing, the audible beeps that indicate a new chapter or section in a talking book. POWER: Uses two AA batteries (not included). DIMENSIONS (LxW): 5.5 x 4 inches. WEIGHT: Eight ounces. WARRANTY: Three months.

9. VICTOR READER PRO

   --- DISCONTINUED. (Verified 08/2005)RETAINED IN DATABASE FOR REFERENCE. --- The Victor Reader Pro is a digital talking book player designed for use by persons who are blind or have low vision. In comparison to the Victor Reader Classic (see separate entry), the Victor Reader Pro is designed to navigate complexly organized works and to enable users to read highly structured books as well as simpler leisure books. Using this reader, users can navigate quickly and efficiently through reference works and scholastic texts. In addition to basic navigation features, Victor Reader Pro lets the reader skip to a specific page, insert bookmarks to return to a spot or mark important passages, etc. Other features include portability; a Key Describer Function that speaks the functions of each key; a "go to page" function to jump to any page; highly intelligible adjustable speed play sound; a standard CD-ROM drive that also plays music and MP3 CD's; and digital sound quality from a built-in speaker. POWER: Uses an AC adapter or rechargeable internal battery pack for 6 to 8 hours of playing time between charges. OPTIONS: Leather carrying bag. DIMENSIONS (HxLxW): 1.75 x 7 x 8 inches. WEIGHT: 2 pounds

10. VICTOR READER VIBE

    --- DISCONTINUED. (Verified 01/2010) RETAINED IN DATABASE FOR REFERENCE. --- Victor Reader Vibe is a digital talking book player designed for use by individuals who are blind or have low vision. This portable player reads Daisy books and standard MP3 and audio CDs. Its controls have embossed tactile markings. This player supports all Daisy navigation levels, including go to chapter, section, page, paragraph, and so on. Other functions include bookmarks and speed control with pitch compensation. Firmware may be upgraded via CD. The player comes with earphones and a carrying case. POWER: Uses rechargeable batteries or power adapter (included). DIMENSIONS (HxLxW): 29 x 148 x 138 millimeters. WEIGHT: 275 grams.

See Learning Ally (formerly Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic) products that are currently available.