N Gauge Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Paulwhitt20 on June 13, 2020, 08:33:05 PM

Title: Audiobooks
Post by: Paulwhitt20 on June 13, 2020, 08:33:05 PM
Hi,

I have been trying to find out about audiobooks but can't seem to find the answers. Hopefully someone here can help.

My mother is visually impaired and can't see very well. She does not have a comport or internet or even a mobile phone. She can't see to read but likes to listen to audio books etc. She has a CD player that can play MP3 files on CD etc. I have got a few audio books on CD but would like to get more.

What I am struggling with is how to get audio books into MP3 format to copy to a CD or memory stick. Most of google seems to want to take you to Amazons offerings but when I tried that on my MacBook I could not see the audio files to copy anywhere. iTunes would not let me copy them. The RNIB have something called a Daisy player that may be of use, but again how do you get the audio books in MP3 format to copt onto a USB stick or memory card?

Is there a way of buying audio books in MP3 format to copy to other devices so my mum can listen to them? I am particularly interested in books by Neville Shute which are not available in Daisy format.

Thanks for your help
Paul
Title: Re: Audiobooks
Post by: AlexanderJesse on June 14, 2020, 12:21:53 AM
Are the AudioBooks made for "normal" CD players? Then they should just contain normal .wav files which can be ripped into .mp3 using a plethora of programs. Asking auntie for "Macbook wav to mp3" led me as first hit to https://www.nch.com.au/switch/mp3.html?kw=wav%20to%20mp3%20converter%20mac&gclid=CjwKCAjw8pH3BRAXEiwA1pvMsR66kf2IWDWEtSSRQxd9qErER0o8H09iReOsUnxkztA46VH9DfbIkBoCUBgQAvD_BwE (https://www.nch.com.au/switch/mp3.html?kw=wav%20to%20mp3%20converter%20mac&gclid=CjwKCAjw8pH3BRAXEiwA1pvMsR66kf2IWDWEtSSRQxd9qErER0o8H09iReOsUnxkztA46VH9DfbIkBoCUBgQAvD_BwE) which proposes Switch a freeware program.

Now one of the problems with ripping is that the producers of the CD's  create "invalid" CD's which usually are played fine on normal CD players, but are not readable by "clever" computers, who check for validity according to the CD standard.
Title: Re: Audiobooks
Post by: jpendle on June 14, 2020, 12:54:19 AM
Maybe I'm being thick, but why do the audio books need to be in mp3 format?

Why not just order some audio books on CD?

Regards,

John P
Title: Re: Audiobooks
Post by: Bealman on June 14, 2020, 01:36:02 AM
I must admit I was thinking the same thing!

However, if it helps, I bought this a few years ago for the very reasonable price of A$150:

(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/95/255-140620012702-953912159.jpeg)

It's a 5-in-1 unit which plays vinyl, cassettes, and CDs, while automatically copying them to a USB stick if you wish. You can see the memory stick bottom right of photo.

The idea was to play all my old vinyl LPs, save them on the stick, then sell the LPs.

Like all good ideas, I still haven't got round to doing it!  :worried:
Title: Re: Audiobooks
Post by: Paulwhitt20 on June 14, 2020, 05:09:08 PM
Thanks for the suggestions.

Some of the books I am interested in are on CD but very expensive £50+.

It seems as though the audible books you get via amazon are .aax and protected from conversion to mp3 legally.  Currently their don't seem to be any .aax players suitable for use by a blind person.

Thanks for your help
Paul.

Title: Re: Audiobooks
Post by: themadhippy on June 14, 2020, 05:34:59 PM
Quote.aax and protected from conversion to mp3 legally.
plenty of .aax convertors,seems theirs even a plugin  for vlc .As for the legality,didn't we all record the chart show on sunday night onto cassette,or borrow records of mates to record? 
Title: Re: Audiobooks
Post by: AlexanderJesse on June 14, 2020, 05:44:11 PM
Quote from: Paulwhitt20 on June 14, 2020, 05:09:08 PM
...Currently their don't seem to be any .aax players suitable for use by a blind person...

Most probably even if they would come down on you (with legal action) you could get by stressing this fact!