Audiofy & Bookchip
Frequently Asked Questions
LISTENING
TO AN AUDIOFY BOOKCHIP
What
kind of computer do I need to listen to Audiofy Chips?
What
differences are there between the portable Audiofy Player and playing Chips on
a computer, handheld or smartphone?
Can
I play Audiofy Chips on my iPod?
BOOKCHIP
NAVIGATION
How
do I use the forward and backward buttons to fast forward or rewind to other
chapters, lessons, passages or sections?
I
don't see any display on the Audiofy Player. How will I know my current listening
position?
REMEMBERING
MY BOOK CHIP LISTENING POSITION
Can
the Audiofy Player remember where I was listening when I turn it off, take a
break, and turn it on again later?
Can
the Audiofy Player remember where I was listening after I switch Chips?
AUDIOFY BATTERIES
and POWER ACCESSORIES
What
kind of batteries does the Audiofy Player use?
Can
I plug the Audiofy Player into a wall outlet?
Do
rechargeable batteries work in the Audiofy Player?
AUDIOFY HEADPHONES
and SPEAKERS
Does
the Audiofy Player have a speaker?
What
headphone and speaker accessories work with the Audiofy Player?
Can
I plug the Audiofy Player into a cassette player in my vehicle?
In
vehicles without a cassette player, how can I listen to Chips through the speakers
of the vehicle's sound system?
Can
two people listen to the same Chip at once through two sets of headphones?
AUDIOFY
SOUND FORMATS and AUDIO FEATURES
Does
the Audiofy Player offer stereo sound?
Does
the Audiofy Player play music or MP3 files?
TURNING
THE AUDIOFY PLAYER ON AND OFF
How
do I turn the Audiofy Player on?
How
do I turn the Audiofy Player off?
I've
turned the volume control all the way down, why is the blue light still on?
Should
I remove the Chip when I'm done listening?
Still
have questions? Email
us.
LISTENING
TO AN AUDIOFY BOOKCHIP
What
kind of computer do I need to listen to Audiofy Chips?
No computer is
necessary!
The Audiofy Player
does not require a computer, and does not connect to a computer. All audio content
is stored on the Audiofy Chips you purchase, before the Chips are sent to you.
However, if you
(or someone you know) have a computer, handheld or high-end mobile phone, your
Audiofy Chips may also be playable on those devices in addition to your Audiofy
Player (a full list of supported devices can be found here). Audiofy Audiobook
Chips can be played on Microsoft Windows computers and laptops, Windows Mobile
handheld PDAs and smartphones that have an SD Card expansion slot, or palmOne
handheld PDAs and Treo smartphones that have an SD Card expansion slot. (These
devices are available separately).
This way, you
can get more mileage out of the Chips you purchase, enabling you to listen to
them in more places, lend them to friends, and share them with associates. Much
like the printed books that predate the Audiofy Player! [Back
to Top]
What
differences are there between the portable Audiofy Player and playing Chips on
a computer, handheld or smartphone?
The portable Audiofy
Player is an attractively priced, lightweight alternative to playing Audiofy
Chips on a computer, handheld or Smartphone, and far more compact than even a
laptop computer. To jump to a later or earlier passage on the Audiofy Player,
first push the "Info" button twice before using the forward and backward
buttons to move to other passages. While the Audiofy Player automatically bookmarks
your listening position when you turn the device off (or subsequently switch
Chips), personal bookmarks set on a computer, handheld or smartphone are not
available.
When playing Audiofy
Audiobook Chips on a supported Windows Mobile handheld PDA or smartphone, on
a palmOne handheld PDA or Treo smartphone, or on a computer running Windows XP
or Windows 2000, you may jump to specific passages by double-clicking or tapping
the name of the passage onscreen. While listening, you may use the forward and
backward buttons to jump several seconds at a time. You may also access personal
bookmarks by pushing the "Info" (or "i") button three times,
and set personal bookmarks by pushing the "Info" (or "i")
button four times.
On older computers
running Windows 98 or Windows ME, you may still jump to specific passages by
clicking the name of the passage onscreen, and use the forward and backward buttons
to jump several seconds at a time during playback. The "Info" (or "i")
button is disabled in these older operating systems. While your listening position
will be automatically bookmarked when you stop listening to your current Chip,
personal bookmarks set on a handheld, smartphone or Windows XP/2000 computer
are not available. [Back
to Top]
Can
I play Audiofy Chips on my iPod?
You can use Audiofy
Chips on Palm PDAs, Pocket PCs, Treo cell phones, Windows Mobile devices, Windows
PCs and laptops — and on the Audiofy Player, of course. You can't use the
iPod, or any MP3 player, unless they support Windows Mobile or the Palm OS. [Back
to Top]
BOOKCHIP
NAVIGATION
How
do I use the forward and backward buttons to fast forward or rewind to other
chapters, lessons, passages or sections?
To jump to other
passages, start by pressing the "Info" (or "i") button twice.
When the Audiofy
Player announces the name of the current passage, press the "forward" button
one or more times to jump to later passages, or the "backward" button
one or more times to jump to earlier passages. Then, press the "Play/Pause" button
to resume listening from the new location you selected.
When you press
the "Info" (or "i") button twice, generally the first press
of the "backward" button will rewind to the very start of the current
passage. Then, pressing the "backward" button a second, third, fourth
time or more takes you to earlier passages. [Back
to Top]
I
don't see any display on the Audiofy Player. How will I know my current listening
position?
The Audiofy Player
can tell you!
You simply press
the "Info" (or "i") button once to hear basic information
about your Audiofy Chip, such as the title and author, and press the Info button
a second time to hear the name of the current passage, how long it is, and how
far it is from the start of the book.
Part of a patent-pending
technique, this feature is especially helpful to anyone who finds it difficult
or impossible to read the low-contrast displays and tiny print on some audio
devices.
Even people with
sharp vision appreciate the ease of navigating an Audiofy Chip without stopping
to look at the device. No need to fully remove it from a bag, shirt pocket or
belt clip... after quickly developing a feel for the location of the four buttons,
you can change your listening position by touch alone. [Back
to Top]
REMEMBERING
MY LISTENING POSITION
Can
the Audiofy Player remember where I was listening when I turn it off, take a
break, and turn it on again later?
Can
the Audiofy Player remember where I was listening after I switch Chips?
Unlike most CD
players, the Audiofy Player is designed to automatically remember where you were
last listening when you turn it off — even when you switch Chips. For people
who listen to audiobooks, this is an essential feature!
(Note: When switching
Chips, please remember to turn the Audiofy Player off first, before removing
the Chip in the unit.)
The Audiofy Player
is designed to save your listening position automatically, with no effort on
your part. However, if you find the Chip is not resuming playback from the last
position when you turn it back on, follow these steps to adjust the "write
protect tab" and unlock the Chip:
1. Turn off the
Audiofy Player.
2. Remove the Chip.
3. Look for a small plastic tab along the edge of the Chip.
4. Use your fingernail to slide this tab a very short distance, toward the end
with metal connectors on the back side of the Chip.
5. Gently reinsert the Chip into the Audiofy Player.
(When this "write
protect tab" is in the "up" position, the Audiofy Player may be
prevented from saving your current listening location on the Chip.) [Back
to Top]
BATTERIES
and POWER ACCESSORIES
What
kind of batteries does the Audiofy Player use?
The Audiofy Player
runs on two AAA batteries. Your first two AAA batteries are included — although
we recommend keeping spare AAA batteries on hand to ensure uninterrupted playback. [Back
to Top]
Can
I plug the Audiofy Player into a wall outlet?
The Audiofy Player
also accepts power adapters (available separately) that would allow you to plug
the device into a wall outlet or the lighter/power adapter in your vehicle. The
power adapter must meet the following specifications:
• 4.5 volts
DC
• Plug: 1.3 mm ID (inner diameter) and 3.4 mm OD (outer diameter). (RadioShack
refers to this type of plug as "Adapta Plug H.")
When traveling
to foreign countries, AAA batteries are typically easy to find, while plugging
into wall outlets or vehicle outlets may require additional power adapters or
converters to compensate for local voltage standards. Plugging the Audiofy Player
into a foreign electrical outlet without the proper adapter is likely to damage
the device. [Back
to Top]
Do
rechargeable batteries work in the Audiofy Player?
The Audiofy Player
does not have a built-in rechargable battery, but you may use rechargable AAA
batteries (available separately) in the device. Rechargable AAA batteries must
be replenished by placing them in an external charging unit designed for the
type of batteries you purchase. Plugging the Audiofy Player into a wall outlet,
a vehicle lighter or a vehicle power adapter will not recharge batteries in the
Audiofy Player's back compartment. [Back
to Top]
HEADPHONES
and SPEAKERS
Does
the Audiofy Player have a speaker?
Each Audiofy Player
includes a set of ear buds, a convenient space saver for folks on the go or packing
for travel. The Audiofy Player does not have a built-in speaker. You may also
substitute your favorite traditional, "street style" or noise cancellation
headphones (available separately) that plug into the Audiofy Player's standard
3.5 mm earphone mini-jack. [Back
to Top]
What
headphone and speaker accessories work with the Audiofy Player?
The standard 3.5
mm earphone mini-jack does allow you to connect portable audio speakers (available
separately), powered by their own batteries or an external electrical supply
(with the exception of some especially small, low fidelity speakers, the Audiofy
Player cannot power external speakers on its own through its earphone jack). [Back
to Top]
Can
I plug the Audiofy Player into a cassette player in my vehicle?
The standard 3.5
mm earphone mini-jack does accept vehicle cassette adapters (available separately),
which link the Audiofy Player to the stereo system in your vehicle and allow
you to hear Audiofy Chip content through your vehicle's speakers. [Back
to Top]
In
vehicles without a cassette player, how can I listen to Chips through the speakers
of the vehicle's sound system?
The standard 3.5
mm earphone mini-jack also accepts FM radio transmitters (available separately),
which allow you to hear Audiofy Audiobook Chip content through your vehicle's
speakers by tuning the radio to a preset frequency. This avoids the need for
an adapter cable, and is your best option for vehicles that do not have cassette
players — including more and more new models where cassette players are
no longer standard equipment. [Back
to Top]
Can
two people listen to the same Chip at once through two sets of headphones?
To allow two people
to listen to the same Audiofy Chip at the same time, you may purchase a headphone
splitter (available separately) at most consumer electronics stores, which plugs
into the Audiofy Player's standard 3.5 mm earphone mini-jack. You will also need
a second pair of ear buds or headphones (available separately).
In this configuration,
you may need to turn the volume control to a louder setting for both listeners
to hear the Chip content well, and battery life may be shorter. [Back
to Top]
SOUND
FORMATS and AUDIO FEATURES
Does
the Audiofy Player offer stereo sound?
The Audiofy Player
was designed specifically for spoken audio and audiobook content. While the Audiofy
Player is capable of two-channel stereo playback, most content on Audiofy Chips
is currently one channel, also referred to as monophonic or monaural (there is
no difference between the audio played through either the left and right earphones
or connected speakers). [Back
to Top]
Does
the Audiofy Player play music or MP3 files?
At this time,
the Audiofy Player does not support general purpose music playback or handle
MP3 audio files. In any event, for music playback we would recommend portable
CD and cassette players (although they are slightly bulkier than the Audiofy
Player), or digital music players (which are somewhat more expensive).
For spoken audio,
the downside to these music devices (besides their size or expense) is that few
are able to bookmark your listening location in even a single audiobook — let
alone several. In addition, the content of a single Audiofy Chip may require
anywhere from a half-dozen to two dozen CDs or cassettes. [Back
to Top]
TURNING
THE PLAYER ON AND OFF
How
do I turn the Audiofy Player on?
After I press
the Play button, the blue light doesn't stay on and I can't hear my Chip. What
should I do?
To turn the Audiofy
Player on, you must hold down the "Play/Pause" button for two seconds.
This feature helps prevent the Audiofy Player from being turned on accidentally
while stored in a backpack, bag, briefcase, luggage or purse while traveling,
which would potentially run down the batteries.
If you've held
down the "Play/Pause" button for several seconds and the blue light
still doesn't stay on, verify that you have a Chip fully inserted, the earphone
or speaker connector is firmly plugged in, and that fresh batteries have been
inserted in the back compartment or that a power adapter is plugged into both
the Audiofy Player and an electrical outlet. [Back
to Top]
How
do I turn the Audiofy Player off?
To turn the Audiofy
Player off, press the "Play/Pause" button once or twice until the listening
material stops. Within a minute, the Audiofy Player will automatically turn off
on its own. [Back
to Top]
I've
turned the volume control all the way down, why is the blue light still on?
The volume control
does not turn the Audiofy Player on or off. Instead, use the technique above.
Your Audiofy Player may also turn off automatically if you remove the headphones. [Back
to Top]
Should
I remove the Chip when I'm done listening?
Do not turn off
the Audiofy Player by removing the Chip. Instead, use the technique above to
turn the Audiofy Player off before removing a Chip. This is gentler to the electronics,
and helps ensure that your listening position is saved.
There is no need
to remove the Chip when the Audiofy Player is turned off. You will only need
to remove an Audiofy Chip when you want to insert a different Chip. You should
always turn the Audiofy Player off before removing or switching Chips.
If you leave earphones
or speakers plugged into your Audiofy Player, removing the Bookchip may provide
extra protection against the device accidentally being turned on while stored
in a backpack, bag, briefcase, luggage or purse during travel (which could run
down the batteries). However — this should generally not be necessary. [Back
to Top] |
