| l Audio Books are getting more popular by the day. | | | | copy of anything you buy just in case your computer |
| Weekly, more digital media players are made available | | | | ever fails or is stolen) and then rip that CD straight |
| and consumers replace their old cassette and CD | | | | into iTunes, from where it's transferred to your iPod |
| players with the modern MP3 players- These MP3 | | | | when you synchronize it. |
| players are much smaller and can be loaded with | | | | Burning your audio book files to an audio CD on your |
| many MegaBytes of content, music and audio books, | | | | computer is quick and easy, particularly if you are |
| even videos. | | | | using Windows. If you are in doubt how to exactly |
| Audio Books are normally encoded in either MP3 or | | | | proceed check for the help page. Audio book stores |
| WMA format. Both formats can be played on PC's, | | | | offer very detailed, step by step desciptions, often |
| laptops and on Apple computers and most portable | | | | illustrated or even as videos, that will help you burn |
| media players (MP3 players), like the iPod, Zune, | | | | these files on CD. |
| iRiver, Samsung MP3 etc. | | | | "How can I test if my equipment will work with audio |
| Here are a few tips that will help you making the | | | | books" is an other question that is asked often. |
| right decisions, when buying your first audio book: | | | | There is risk free way to find out: |
| To download large files from the internet, it's best to | | | | Most audio book stores offer free audio books. So if |
| have a high speed broadband connection, it can | | | | you're in doubt whether your system will be able to |
| speed up the download considerably. If you are on | | | | handle the files and whether the audio books are |
| an slower - ISDN or analog - connection, downloading | | | | compatible with the equipment you own, just |
| is still possible. It will just take a bit longer. I suggest | | | | download one of the free books, and test it. |
| you use a download manager to be able to pick up | | | | When you purchase an audio book, you often |
| where you were interrupted, should the line go down. | | | | receive a user name and a password which allows |
| The file size for audio books can vary considerably, | | | | you to download the files and prove that you are |
| depending on the file quality. | | | | the rightful owner of these files. Like this you don't |
| Usually audio books are made available by the | | | | run the risk of breaking the law. Such audio books |
| publishers in several different compressions, making | | | | have been licensed for sale and have been approved |
| the files smaller. The most compressed format is | | | | by the publishers and copyright holders. As a paying |
| usually of good, audible, but not excellent, quality, | | | | customer you are entitled to download and listen to |
| whilst the medium compression will be perfect for | | | | these files as often as you wish and on whatever |
| most users. The largest files usually provide better | | | | equipment you wish. You can also copy the audio |
| than CD quality and can be quite bulky. If you are | | | | books on CD as backup for yourself and your family. |
| not sure which format suits your ear most, download | | | | However, like for any other media, it would be illegal |
| all three qualities for testing, then decide what is | | | | to make copies of the files and distribute them |
| most convenient for you. When you then buy your | | | | widely. |
| next audio book, you'll know what firle format to | | | | The length of time it will take for an audio book to |
| download. | | | | download will vary greatly depending on what kind of |
| The iPod has made media players popular, and a large | | | | Internet connection you have. Often the audio books |
| number of iPods are used by old and young | | | | are split into several smaller files or parts, especially if |
| consumers. The questio I'm asked most often is: "Is | | | | the recordings are several hours of listeing pleasure. |
| it possible to transfer audio books to an iPod?" | | | | If you have a broadband connection it will take just a |
| My answer is a simple "Yes." It's a straightforward | | | | few minutes per part. This makes it easier to |
| process: All you have to do is to burn the audio book | | | | download the book. Even if you are on a slow |
| files to CD first (this is a step we'd always | | | | connection you can start listening to the first part |
| recommend as it is wise to make a physical backup | | | | whilst the other files are downloading. |