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Beyond the Text
Comparison chart of e-book and digital talking book (DTB) hardware and software

e-book software | e-book hardware | DTB software | DTB hardware

e-book software

Name Cost OS Format Images/multimedia support Misc.
Adobe Reader 7 Free Windows, Windows Mobile, Macintosh OS X, Palm PDF PNG, JPG, GIF.
Embeds QuickTime movies, Real, WMP (Windows/Mac only)
  1. No SMIL support.
  2. Embedded multimedia OK (QuickTime, Real, Windows Media; desktop version only).
  3. Linked multimedia OK (local or internet; WM version links to local multimedia only).
  4. E-books may be printed if publisher enables this feature.
  5. E-books may be read aloud via text-to-speech if publisher enables this feature (desktop version only).
BookReader Free Windows TXT No image support.
  1. No multimedia support.
  2. Reads aloud.
CHM eBook Reader $14.95; free demo Windows Mobile 2002/2003/2003 SE/Phone Edition CHM (compiled HTML) PNG, JPG, GIF. No multimedia support.
DNL Reader free Windows DNL only BMP, JPG, GIF.
  1. No multimedia support.
  2. Create DNL books using Desktop Author.
EBook for EPOC Free EPOC handhelds TXT, PRC, PDB No image support.
  1. No multimedia support.
  2. Document reader for EPOC devices only.
  3. Unicode version available for displaying Japanese, Chinese and Korean.
eMonocle Reader free Windows, Macintosh, Linux OEBPS (native) PNG, JPG, GIF
Plays QuickTime video and audio tracks in proprietary player.
  1. Can also invoke external players.
  2. No SMIL support.
Franklin Reader Free Windows CE, Palm, Windows Mobile OEBPS No image support. No multimedia support.
HiEbook Reader Free emOS HI, KML JPG, PNG
  1. No multimedia support.
  2. Use to read HiEbooks and to transfer books to HiEbook hardware.
iSilo $19.99; free demo Palm, Windows, Windows Mobile/Phone Edition, Windows CE iSilo, PRC, PDB JPG, GIF, PNG, but must be converted to iSilo first.
  1. No multimedia support.
  2. Use iSiloX to convert HTML, text, Palm Doc, GIF, JPG, PNG and BMP into iSilo format.
Mentoract Reader Free Windows, Macintosh, Linux HTML, OEBPS (native) GIF
  1. Plays embedded audio.
  2. Links to external multimedia.
  3. "One of the most comprehensive implementations of the Open eBook specification available."
Microsoft Reader Free Windows, Windows Mobile LIT PNG, JPG, GIF
  1. "...additional media formats, such as streaming video, to be supported in future versions."
  2. No embedded multimedia.
  3. Linked multimedia OK (desktop version only).
  4. Speech output identifies images with alt text.
  5. Uses OEBPS format as source; author can use other formats, then convert using ReaderWorks Standard or Publisher (http://www.readerworks.com). Can also author in MS Word and convert via MS RMR (http://www.microsoft.com/reader/downloads/rmr.asp).
Mobipocket Reader Standard: free; pro: $19.95 Windows, Windows CE, Windows Mobile, Palm PRC BMP, GIF
MP3
  1. No embedded multimedia
  2. Desktop and Palm versions link to external multimedia.
  3. Author in OEBPS; convert to PRC using Mobipocket Creator.
eReader Pro $9.95 Windows, Macintosh, Windows Mobile, Palm PDB, PML PNG No multimedia support.
Plucker Free Palm PDB, JXL tbmp
  1. No multimedia support.
  2. Can also be used as an off-line Web browser.
Sophie Free Windows, Macintosh HTML, TXT JPG, GIF
  1. No multimedia support.
  2. Mac version has text-to-speech
TK3 Reader Free Windows, Macintosh TK3 PNG, JPG, GIF
QuickTime, MPEG1, WAV, AIFF, MP3, Flash (w/MOV extension)
  1. No SMIL support.
  2. Retains QT embedded text/description tracks.
TiBR Free, $9.95 for pro version Palm PDB, zTXT, TXT No image support.
  1. No multimedia support.
  2. Convert books using TiBR Converter (free)
Tiny eBook Reader $14.00; free demo Windows Mobile, SmartPhone TXT, HTML, ZIP files, LIT (no DRM) JPG, GIF No multimedia support.
Ti-Reader free Ti-89, Ti-92 Plus, Voyage 200 calculators only HTML (limited to subset of 2.0 only), OEBPS, TXT JPG, GIF, PNG
  1. No multimedia support.
  2. Convert books using Ti-Reader Converter (free)
  3. Also use the TICT E-book Reader (free) for reading on TI devices.
µBook free Windows, Windows Mobile TXT, RTF, HTML, PDB, PRC JPG, GIF, PNG No multimedia support.
Weasel Reader Free Palm zTXT, PalmDoc No image support. No multimedia support.
yBook Free Windows TXT, HTML JPG, GIF
  1. No multimedia support.
  2. Discards hyperlinks.

e-book hardware

Name Cost OS Format Misc.
BookLocker n/a Windows proprietary only
  1. Device is currently in development; accessibility is uncertain.
  2. Displays text using proprietary software.
Cybook $744 Windows CE 3.0 PRC, PDB, HTML, RTF, TXT.
  1. Color display.
  2. Comes with MobiPocket Reader, µBook Reader, Boo Reader, Boo Reader Vision.
  3. Includes Pocket Word, Internet Explorer, audio player.
  4. Accepts expansion cards for Wi-Fi, Ethernet, memory.
Franklin eBookMan (discontinued) -- -- -- --
eBookwise 1150 $99.95 - RB, HTML, RTF, DOC
  1. Replaces (and is identical to) the Gemstar Rocket eBook 1150.
  2. Connects directly to internet via modem.
  3. Variable text size.
  4. Backlit black-and-white display.
ETI1, ETI2 Contact ETI for prices. - OEBPS, HTML, text, Word, PowerPoint, RB, IMP
  1. ETI1 has color display; ETI2 has grayscale display.
  2. ETI1 is enterprise-level; ETI2 is consumer-level.
  3. ETI has acquired the technology previously owned by NuvoMedia, SoftBook Press and Gemstar.
Gemstar Rocket eBook 2150 (discontinued) -- -- -- --
Godspeed eBible $299 emOS HTML, TXT, DOC, KML, MP3
  1. eBible is based on HiEbookReader.
  2. Variable text size.
  3. Backlit black-and-white display.
HP iPAQ $300 Windows Mobile LIT, MP3 Supports various software e-book readers.
HiEbook Reader $250 emOS HI, KML, MP3 --
Myfriend $1,000+ Windows CE LIT, MP3 Connects directly to internet via modem.
Nokia 9210/9290 Communicator eBook Reader $19.95; free demo Palm HTML, TXT, PDB
  1. No multimedia support.
  2. For Nokia 9210/9290 only.
Palm handhelds $150+ Palm PDB, PML, MP3 Supports various software e-book readers.
Sony handhelds $150+ Palm PDB, PML, MP3 Supports various software e-book readers.
Sony PRS-500 $300-$400 n/a BBeB, PDF Uses EInk technology
Toshiba handhelds $199+ Windows Mobile PDB, PML, MP3 Supports various software e-book readers.

DTB software

Name Cost OS Format Images/multimedia support Misc.
AMIS Free Windows Daisy 2.0, Daisy 2.02, MP3 - -
AspireReader $89-$229; 30-day demo (Windows only) Windows, Macintosh (OS 10.3) Daisy 2.02, Daisy 3.0, NIMAS, RTF, TXT, HTML JPG, GIF
  1. Reads content from the Internet as well as DTBs and other files.
  2. Allows hyperlinking.
EaseReader $65 Windows Daisy 2.0, Daisy 2.02, Daisy 3.0, MP3
  1. JPG, GIF.
  2. Plays embedded multimedia.
  1. Currently the only DTB player that supports embedded video.
  2. Allows hyperlinking.
  3. Images can be embedded or pop-up.
eClipseReader 2.0 $99.95; free demo (USA only) Windows Daisy 2.0, Daisy 2.02, MP3 JPG, GIF Does not support hyperlinking.
ghPLAYER $149-$229; free demo Windows Daisy 3.0, Daisy 2.02, TXT, MP3 JPG, GIF
  1. Converts TXT to Daisy 3.0.
  2. Supports numerous braille display devices.
katieplayer $18-$100; free demo Macintosh OS X (10.2.3+) Daisy 2.0, Daisy 2.02, including PDTB - Version 1.1 now available.
TPB Reader Free Windows Daisy 2.0, Daisy 2.02, MP3 - -
Victor Reader Soft $150; free demo Windows Daisy 2.0, Daisy 2.02, Daisy 3.0, MP3 - -

DTB hardware

Name Cost OS Format Misc.
Book Port $395 - Daisy 2.0, Daisy 2.02, Daisy 3.0, MP3 Also reads HTML, RTF, .DOC, .BRF, .BRL and .WAV files.
PlexTalk PTR 1 $995 - Daisy 2.0, Daisy 2.02, MP3 Also plays MP3 and music CDs. Records up to 90 hours onto CD.
PlexTalk TK-200 $? - Daisy 2.0, Daisy 2.02, MP3 Basic player. Discontinued in North America.
PlexTalk TK-300 $500 - Daisy 2.0, Daisy 2.02, MP3 More sophisticated than TK-200. Discontinued in North America.
Telex Scholar $249 - Daisy 2.0, Daisy 2.02, MP3 Also plays MP3 and music CDs.
Victor Reader Classic $375 - Daisy 2.0, Daisy 2.02, Daisy 3.0, MP3 Ideal for leisure use. Also plays CDs.
Victor Reader Classic+ $375 - Daisy 2.0, Daisy 2.02, Daisy 3.0, MP3 Replaces the Victor Reader Pro. Ideal for professional use.
Victor Vibe $219 - Daisy 2.0, Daisy 2.02, MP3 A compact Daisy player. Also plays MP3 and music CDs.