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Research

DTB Hardware

Last updated: October 16, 2012

Notes

  • This matrix summarizes image-description support in DTB hardware reading systems.   The columns labeled "Convey short image descriptions" and "Convey long image descriptions" indicate whether or not the system can convey descriptions through assistive technology (such as a screen reader) or some other TTS method.  If the system can convey a description type, the method is indicated in the appropriate column (e.g., "alt" for a short description or "longdesc" for a long description).  The column labeled "Display or describe SVG" indicates whether the device can display Scalable Vector Graphics as well as convey descriptions through assistive technology or some other TTS method.
  • A field containing a dash does not necessarily indicate that a feature is unsupported, but that more research is required to make a determination.
  • For more information about metadata and image descriptions, read DIAGRAM's Potential Use of Image Description Metadata for Accessibility and the follow-up addendum, Alternatives, Content Model, New Tools, Dependencies and Updates.
  • Read the results of the 2012 DIAGRAM Reading Technology Survey to learn how people who are blind and visually impaired obtain and access reading material.
Name Cost DTB sources Display images Convey short image descriptions Convey long image descriptions Display or read MathML Display or describe SVG Misc.
Book Port Plus $ NLS, Learning Ally, Bookshare No Yes, via alt Yes, via prodnote - No
  • Comments based on documentation only
  • Can turn a recording into a DTB.
  • File support includes Word, HTML, Daisy 2.x/3.x, audible.com, mp3, wav, ogg, wma, AMR WB+.
Booksense $ NLS, Learning Ally, Bookshare No Yes, via alt Yes, via prodnote No No
  • Booksense XT also has an FM receiver and Bluetooth support.
  • File support includes mp3, mp4, ogg, wav, wax, m4a, wma and audible.com, txt, rtf, doc, docx, html, xml, brl, and brf.
Olympus DM-4 $ n/a - Yes, via altYes, via prodnote - -
  • Comments based on documentation only.
  • Has voice control and speech output.
  • Has 2.2" color display.
  • Records and plays mp3, wma, wav; also plays audible.com.
HumanWare ClassMate Reader $ n/a - - - - -
  • Comments based on documentation only
  • Has TTS and text highlighting.
  • Has color display; can configure display (text size, color, spacing, etc.).
  • File support includes mp3, ogg, audible.com, wma, txt, DAISY/NIMAS, AMR, WB, xml and html.
Intel Reader $ Learning Ally No No Yes, via prodnote No (see misc) No
  • Has 4.3" color display; takes pictures of printed text; will convert to audio and read.
  • Does not recognize images in print source material.
  • Can toggle between picture of print source (i.e., text/images) or OCR-converted text.
  • Has fully configurable voice navigation.
  • Can configure display (text size, color, etc.).
  • File support includes DAISY 2.02/DAISY 3, NIMAS 1.0/1.1, mp3, wav, ASCII text.
  • Will not display in-line images in DAISY books.
Milestone 312 $ NLS No No Yes, via prodnote No No
  • File support includes DAISY 2.02, txt, audible.com, mp3
  • Upcoming support for DAISY 3.0, Bookshare, doc
Plextalk PTN2 $ NLS, Learning Ally, BARD No Yes, via alt Yes, via prodnote No No
  • File support includes DAISY 2.02, ANSI/NISO Z39.86/DAISY 3.0, mp3, audible.com, wav, AMR-WB+, ogg, CD, txt, html, doc.
  • Reads alt in HTML but does not identify the image.
  • Does not read alt in DTB.
Plextalk Pocket PTP1 $ NLS, Learning Ally, Bookshare No Yes, via alt Yes, via prodnote No No
  • Has voice recorder; records to DAISY 2.02.
  • File support includes DAISY 2.02, ANSI/NISO Z39.86/DAISY 3.0, mp3, wav, AMR-WB+, ogg, txt, html
  • Reads alt in HTML but does not identify the image
  • Does not read alt in DTB
Plextalk PTR2 $ NLS, Learning Ally No No Yes, via prodnote No No
  • Plays 2.0 and 2.02 DAISY audio books
  • Comes with PRS software to produce type 1 and type 2 DAISY 2.02 books
  • Also plays mp3, wav, ogg audio files
Victor Reader Classic X $ Learning Ally No No Yes, via prodnote No No
  • Offers basic navigation support.
  • File support includes DAISY, NISO, NIMAS, txt, html, XML, rtf, brf, MP2, MP3, MPEG2, flac, ogg, wav, wma, spx
Victor Reader Classic X+ $ Learning Ally No No Yes, via prodnote No No
  • Supports full DAISY navigation.
  • File support includes DAISY, NISO, NIMAS, txt, html, XML, rtf, brf, MP2, MP3, MPEG2, flac, ogg, wav, wma, spx
Victor Reader Stream $ NLS, Learning Ally, Bookshare No Yes, via alt Yes, via prodnote No No
  • Play CD through an adapter.
  • File support includes DAISY 2, 2.02 , NISO Z39.86 2002,/2005, NIMAS 1.1, audible.com, 3gp, aa, bra, brf, flac, html, mp2, mp3, mpg, ogg, rtf, spx, txt, wav, wma, xml
Victor Reader Stream Library Edition $NLS cartridges No Yes, via alt Yes, via prodnote No No
  • File support includes DAISY 2, 2.02 , NISO Z39.86 2002,/2005, NIMAS 1.1, audible.com, 3gp, aa, bra, brf, flac, html, mp2, mp3, mpg, ogg, rtf, spx, txt, wav, wma, xml
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