DAISY information system
What is DAISY?
DAISY is the Digital Accessible Information SYstem and is a standard that is designed to enhance the reading experience for people who have reading disabilities. DAISY players are very much like CD players – you insert discs that are similar to CDs.
The DAISY disc allows you to navigate almost instantly to the next phrase of a section of speech, to the next heading or the next chapter. This means that as well as traditional fiction books, more complicated educational texts can now be made accessible. You can also create your own personal bookmarks or notes.
While you can play normal CDs on a DAISY player, you can't play DAISY discs on a normal CD player.
RNIB sells two DAISY players (which qualify for VAT free status to individuals): The Victor Reader Pro Player and the Plextor PTR1 recorder/player.
Victor Reader Pro (DD01)
The Victor Reader Pro (DD01) is now available for the new, lower price of £300 (plus VAT where applicable). It can be used for reading simple leisure books and is also suitable for students and professionals who need to look for specific sections of a complex book, reach a page rapidly and place bookmarks to efficiently retrieve important passages.
Key describer functions speak the functions of each key and you can use the go to page function to jump to any page instantly. It has a highly intelligible adjustable play speed and a standard CD ROM drive, which can play music and MP3 CDs as well as DAISY discs. It has digital sound quality and is compact and portable (the long-life rechargeable battery lasts up to 6 hours and you can buy an optional carrying bag). You can listen via the built-in speaker or an earphone set. Twelve languages, including British English, are available.
Plextalk PTR1
The Plextalk PTR1 recorder/player (DD02) also functions as a CD writer so you can make your own DAISY books. You can record up to 90 hours' material (great for lectures and conferences) using either the built-in microphone or an optional external mic. All of which makes it great for professionals (especially computer or sound studio experts). It comes with Plextalk Recording Software so you can edit the recording and can be used as an external CD-RW drive when attached to a PC with a USB interface (it is compatible with Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP operating systems). It also has an expandable PC memory card slot (type II). Like the Victor, it has bookmarks, advanced navigation, adjustable playback speed, as well as the spoken key function describers. It also plays back DAISY, MP3 and standard music CDs, and is just as portable as the Victor. The Plextalk PTR1 costs £595 (plus VAT if applicable).
Further information
For more information, or to place an order, contact RNIB Customer Services on 0845 7023 153, Minicom 0845 758 5691, or e-mail RNIB Customer Services. Overseas customers please contact RNIB Export department, for export prices and to place orders. Call +44 (0) 1733 37 54 00 or e-mail RNIB Export department. Also see the links below.
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The DAISY Consortium was formed in May, 1996 by talking book libraries to lead the worldwide transition from analog to Digital Talking Books. DAISY denotes the Digital Accessible Information SYstem.
Useful links
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RNIB Scotland promotes the interests of the estimated 180,000 people in Scotland who have serious sight problems. They deliver a wide range of services for people who are blind and partially sighted in the fields of employment, education, family support, social work, social care, accessible information and the built environment.
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Information about DAISY players and software available from the RNIB online shop.
The DAISY Project
Read about RNIB Scotland's project using DAISY technology.
DAISY Project
Information about RNIB Scotland's project using DAISY technology.