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| Home | Downloading AudioAccess Books | Playing AudioAccess Books | Advanced Support | Troubleshooting | FAQs | Contact Support |
The new, downloadable audiobooks from RFB&D®
As a pioneer in audiobooks, RFB&D continually seeks out ways to make the audio reading experience easier, more enjoyable and productive for our members. AudioAccess offers the extensive, high-quality audio textbooks from the RFB&D library in an exciting and easy-to-navigate downloadable format, without the need for specialized playback equipment.
AudioAccess is not intended to replace RFB&D's AudioPlus® textbooks on CD but to provide an Internet-downloadable, alternative format. The choice is yours!
AudioAccess from RFB&D offers downloadable audiobooks that play on a Microsoft Windows®-compatible computer. Downloaded books can be synchronized (synced) with Windows-compatible portable media players. AudioAccess is designed as an alternative format to AudioPlus textbooks on CD, in which each page of a book is navigated by track.
FAQs Last Updated on 9/10/2008
1. Why is RFB&D launching AudioAccess?
To provide Internet-downloadable books which do not require specialized playback equipment.
2. What's different about AudioAccess?
AudioAccess books are available in a downloadable format, but contain the exact same audio as AudioPlus books. AudioPlus is still available on CD for use with DAISY players. AudioAccess is available for download for use with Microsoft Windows-based computers and portable media players.
3. Which members will benefit most from AudioAccess books?
All RFB&D members can derive benefit from AudioAccess books; however RFB&D members who are blind or visually impaired should be comfortable using Windows Media Player, which is required to use AudioAccess books on a computer. Members who are not comfortable using Windows Media Player still have a choice of listening to AudioPlus CDs on a DAISY player available through RFB&D.
4. Do I need an online-ordering account with RFB&D to use AudioAccess books?
Yes, since the books are available by download only via the RFB&D Online Ordering Center at www.rfbd.org, you will need an online account to get your books. Setting up an online account is simple and free.
5. Which books will be available in the AudioAccess format?
All newly recorded, digitally mastered AudioPlus books will be available in the AudioAccess format. In addition, a limited number of books converted from our older analog tapes will be made available as downloadable AudioAccess audiobooks.
1. How does AudioAccess affect my membership?
There is no change to the terms or costs of your RFB&D membership. AudioAccess is an additional format option for audiobooks when ordering. RFB&D members can order both AudioPlus and AudioAccess books in any combination as part of their membership.
2. How long can I keep my AudioAccess books?
You can retain and play your AudioAccess books throughout your membership period, after which the files will no longer be playable. If you no longer need the book during your membership period, you can just delete the files. If you still need the book after you renew your membership, you can also renew the book for another year. You may renew books every year for as long as you are an RFB&D member in good standing.
3. When I want to renew an AudioAccess audiobook, do I have to re-download the book?
No, although you will have to place a renewal order to get a new license. Otherwise, the book will no longer be playable on your player. See Section 6, Question 5 for more information about book licenses.
4. When is an AudioAccess book applied to my membership book limit?
As with AudioPlus textbooks on CD, AudioAccess books will be applied to your membership at the time the audiobook is ordered.
1. How can I find which titles are available as AudioAccess downloadable textbooks?
Use the RFB&D book catalog on the RFB&D website https://custhub.rfbd.org/ and click the "Book Catalog" button on the left side of the screen. In the Book Format field, select "Downloadable AudioAccess" to search for AudioAccess books only.
2. How many books are available in AudioAccess format?
More than 37,000 titles are available for order in the AudioAccess format.
3. The book I want is available in AudioPlus but not AudioAccess. Can I request that it be converted?
Unfortunately, some of our older AudioPlus titles, themselves converted from older analog tape masters, are not suitable for the AudioAccess format. The most popular of these titles are being targeted for new, higher-quality digital recordings.
4. I have five PCs at my school. Can I play the same AudioAccess book on all five?
Yes, but you will need to acquire a separate license for each PC. You will need to order five copies of the book in order to get the proper number of licenses.
1. What kind of computer and what type of Internet connection are required?
You also will need:
2. Do I need an Internet connection to play AudioAccess books?
Yes. You need a Windows-compatible computer with an Internet connection to download the books from RFB&D and to receive the license for the books when you first play them.
3. Can I play an AudioAccess book on my Apple Macintosh® computer?
No, AudioAccess books use Microsoft's Windows Media protection software. They will not play on Mac OS X or an Apple iPod®. However, Apple computers running Windows, either as dual-boot systems or via special virtualization software, should be able to play AudioAccess books while running Windows.
1. Where do I go to download my AudioAccess books?
Log into the RFB&D online catalog and ordering center at https://custhub.rfbd.org and click on the button "Log In to Order Now" at the top of the page. Once you log in, click on "My Downloads."
2. What does the status "Converting" mean?
We are still in the process of converting the RFB&D library into the AudioAccess format. When you order a book that has not yet been converted, it will have the status "Converting" until conversion is complete.
3. How long will it take to convert my book?
It usually takes 72 hours or less to convert a book once your order is placed.
4. What does the status "Uploading" mean?
Not all books are stored all at once on the RFB&D delivery network. When you order a book that is in our reserve storage, it will have the status "Uploading" until it has been added to our delivery network.
5. How long will it take my book to upload to the RFB&D delivery network?
It usually takes less than 24 hours to upload a book once your order is placed. Actual upload times depend on the size of the book and overall order volume.
6. How large is an AudioAccess book?
The average AudioAccess book is 400 megabytes (MB). Sizes vary greatly. You can see the total size of your specific AudioAccess book on the "My Downloads" page.
7. How long does it take to download an AudioAccess book?
Download time depends on the size of the book and the speed of your Internet connection. An average 400 MB book downloaded over a 1.5 Mbps connection will take about 30-40 minutes.
8. What do the "Copies ordered, Used, and Unused" numbers mean?
The copies ordered shows the total number of copies of each title that you have ordered. You can acquire a single license to play the AudioAccess book on a single PC for each copy of your order. The copies used column shows the number of licenses actually issued to you for each title that you have ordered. The copies unused column shows how many more licenses you may acquire for each title, based on the number ordered. You can always get more licenses by placing an order for more copies of a particular book.
9. Why do I need the RFB&D Download Manager application?
Each AudioAccess book consists of many small audio files (one per page) packaged into chapter-sized pieces . RFB&D Download Manager is needed to keep track of all the parts of a book, to be sure that you download them all, and to "unpack" and store the audio files in the correct locations on your PC.
10. Where can I get RFB&D Download Manager?
You can download the RFB&D Download Manager installer at https://custhub.rfbd.org/Download/RFBDDownloadManager.exe.
11. How do I install RFB&D Download Manager?
Just download and run the installer and follow the prompts. For detailed instructions, see the RFB&D Download Manager installation guide.
12. Does the RFB&D Download Manager work with web proxy servers?
Yes. Proxy settings can be adjusted in the Proxy Server section of the Options screen, found in the "View" menu.
13. Do I need special firewall settings to use RFB&D Download Manager?
RFB&D Download Manager uses the same protocol as web browsers, so no new ports need to be opened on your firewall. You will need to allow access to http://download.technicolor.com to download books.
14. Where does RFB&D Download Manager save my files?
By default, the chapter-sized ZIP files are saved in
My Documents\RFBD Downloads. Each book is saved in its own subfolder. After download, the individual audio files are unpacked and stored in My Documents\RFBD Media Files. Again, each book is saved in its own subfolder. You can change these default locations in the "Saving Files" section of the Options screen.
15. What’s the difference between the “Saving” and “Opening” locations in the Download Manager options?
The “Saving” location is where the chapter-sized ZIP files are downloaded. The “Opening” location is where the audio files are placed after unpacking.
16. Do I have to download the entire book before I can use it?
No. Each chapter-sized section download file is self-contained and fully functional.
17. What if my download gets interrupted?
RFB&D Download Manager will remember where you left off and will resume the download at that point.
18. How do I control which book or chapter downloads first?
RFB&D Download Manager shows the files in the order that they will be downloaded. You can select one or more files and drag them up or down to change the order. Double-clicking a single file will cause it to go to the top of the queue.
19. Some books allow download by chapter, but others do not. Why is that?
Not all books are structured by chapters – some are in “units,” “sections,” or other divisions. AudioAccess books are packaged by the top level division in each particular book.
1. Can I burn my AudioAccess book to a CD?
No, you cannot create a regular audio CD from your AudioAccess files.
2. Can I save my downloads to an external drive?
They can be saved to any location by changing the Download Manager option. The external drive will need to be attached to the PC whenever the member wants to read the books, and the drive cannot be shared among multiple PCs.
3. After downloading, where do I go to find my books?
RFB&D Download Manager automatically adds your AudioAccess books to your Windows Media Player library.
4. How do I find my Windows Media Player library?
Start Windows Media Player from your Start Menu. Click on Library at the top of the screen. If you do not see the Library option, you may need to change to “Full Mode” from “Skin Mode.” There should be a button marked “Switch to Full Mode,” or you may have a “Full Mode” item under the “View” menu, depending on the skin you are using.
5. What versions of Windows Media Player can play AudioAccess books?
AudioAccess books require version 10 or higher of Windows Media Player.
6. When I try to play an AudioAccess book, Windows Media Player requests a “security upgrade.” Do I need to do this?
Yes. All this does is to generate a unique identifier for your computer so that licenses can be properly issued to it.
7. What is a license and why do I need one?
RFB&D uses Microsoft protection technology to ensure that our distribution of AudioAccess books is in accordance with U.S. Copyright laws. The files are encrypted and cannot be played until a license has been issued by RFB&D. Each copy of an AudioAccess book can be licensed to play on a single computer. To play the book on multiple computers, you need to order multiple copies.
8. Why do I need to enter my RFB&D username and password to play a book? Will I need to do this every time I want to play a book?
We request your username and password when issuing a license to protect your account from unauthorized usage. You only need to do this once per book per PC. After the license has been issued for one file in an audiobook, it will unlock all the remaining files for that book without prompting you.
9. How do I get a license for a book?
You must have an active Internet connection in order to receive a license for a book. The license acquisition process will begin automatically the first time you try to play a book in Windows Media Player. A screen will pop up prompting you to get the license. You may need to provide your RFB&D account login and password to do this.
10. I was able to play a book, but now it says that I need a license again. Why?
All book licenses expire on your membership renewal date. At that time, books you ordered under your prior year’s membership will no longer play and you will need to get new licenses. The license acquisition dialogue will explain this process; just follow the instructions to renew your books. You do not need to re-download the books.
11. Can I put my books on a file server or network share and then play them from more than one computer?
Yes, although you will have to order a license (copy) for each PC that will be used to read the book. For details, see the School IT Administrator's Guide.
12. Can I control the playback speed with Windows Media Player?
Yes. In the “View” menu, select “Enhancements” and then “Play Speed Settings.”
1. Can I play my AudioAccess books on my DAISY player?
None of the current DAISY players support Windows Media DRM.
2. Can I use my AudioAccess books with my portable media player?
Yes, if your player supports Windows Media DRM for subscriptions. For individual members, you can sync two different players with a PC; for institutional members, you can sync five different players per PC.
3. Which portable media players are compatible with AudioAccess?
Any player that supports Windows Media DRM for subscriptions is likely to be compatible with AudioAccess. For details on system requirements, see the RFB&D AudioAccess Compatible Players Guide.
4. Can I play my AudioAccess books on my iPod? What about my Microsoft Zune®?
Unfortunately at this time, neither of these players supports Windows Media DRM and therefore cannot play AudioAccess books.
5. How many portable media players can I use with my AudioAccess books?
Individual members may sync two different players with a computer; institutional members may sync five different players per computer.
6. How do I move my AudioAccess books to my portable media player?
Use Windows Media Player to move ("sync") all or parts of your AudioAccess books to your portable media player. See "How to transfer books to portable players" for detailed instructions.
7. Can I move just part of a book to my portable media player?
Yes, you can add specific pages of a book to your sync list when syncing your player. You can repeat the sync process any number of times, as long as you are using the same portable media player.
8. How do I access my book on my portable media player?
Your AudioAccess books are stored as “albums” in the Music Library of your portable media player.
9. Can I control the playback speed on my portable media player?
Some portable media players do support speed change. See your player’s user’s guide for details on your particular unit.
10. Can I use bookmarks with my portable media player?
Some players do support bookmarks, and those that do may offer different bookmarking features. See your player’s user’s guide for details.