I have a Sony 505 for about 2 months now and I'm wondering if I can download audio books from Borders. Borders site says ithe audio books are MP3, WMA and DRM compatible, but it doesn't specifically say I can download to my Sony. Can someone help me? If I can't get audio books from Borders, does the Sony book store have audio books? thanks for any help

I've never used my 505 for audio books (always use my iPod for that), but the 505 will play any MP3 files, so as long as the audio book you're purchasing is in mp3 format you'll be okay.

One thing I'm not sure of (maybe someone else who's used the mp3 player on their 505 can answer) is whether it will "remember" your position in the file you're listening to. This is fairly important for audio books--especially ones that have longer files. If the player won't start back up at where you left off, it can be a pain to try and locate the position you last listened to on your book.

dordale :)

Prs500 does remember the position.

Get a dedicated MP3 player. Even the cheapest is a lot better than the Sony (or any other eBook reader) for playing MP3. MP3's are dangerous on the 500 - there's no "stop" button, only a "pause", and it's all too easy to inadvertently leave it playing, and drain the battery flat.

One thing I'm not sure of (maybe someone else who's used the mp3 player on their 505 can answer) is whether it will "remember" your position in the file you're listening to. This is fairly important for audio books--especially ones that have longer files. If the player won't start back up at where you left off, it can be a pain to try and locate the position you last listened to on your book.

Agreed. iTunes allows you to tick a box so your iPod remembers how far you are through the audiobook mp3. Other mp3 players probably offer the same thing but check that they do before buying one specifically for audiobook playback.

I don't think the 505 supports DRM laden music.

My daughter just bought an iPod Shuffle, 2GB for $70, which would be excellent for listening to audio books or music on. It is about the size of 4 postage stamps and not a whole lot thicker.

There's no need to use the Sony Reader for anything other than reading -- I'm considering getting an iPod shuffle myself, now that I've seen hers!

The only negative to listening to audio books on an iPod Shuffle is that it lacks a display. If you lose your place in a four or five hour audio book file, it can be awfully hard to find it again without a visual cue as to where you are in the file!

I have an iPod Nano (1gb first generation) that's great for listening to audio books on. Since you don't need to use high bit-rates when recording audiobooks, 1gb will hold several hours of audiobooks. (I think I have about 40 hours on mine right now.) I bought it used off of e-bay about two months ago for $25.

dordale :)

Yep - I generally record my audio books in 64k mono. You can get a heck of a lot of audio into a small space at that sample rate!

My daughter just bought an iPod Shuffle, 2GB for $70, which would be excellent for listening to audio books or music on. It is about the size of 4 postage stamps and not a whole lot thicker.


I'm pretty sure you can't listen to audio books on a shuffle.

1. You have no way to choose what song/file you listen to on the shuffle.
2. The shuffle will not book mark a position in a file.

Unless the two above items have changed. There is a Creative Media (I think is the brand) device similar in size/price/capaicty to the shuffle but it does have a display and allow for the above two things.

But, I do agree, a decent MP3 player is a better choice than any of the current readers for audio books.

BOb

The Nano is the way to go for audio books. I bought one for $30 off ebay and it works just fine.

Correct me if I am wrong.. but doesn't the shuffle just shuffle the tracks so you cannot play in any order? If I am correct, then the shuffle should be placed back on ebay for resale.

Audible.com lists the Shuffle as one of the devices that can be used with the service, so at least in that case, the Shuffle works. Maybe mp3 files shuffle and .aa files don't.

I WANTED TO BUY AN E-BOOK READER THAT CAN DO BOTH AUDIO AND READ. ANY SUGESTIONS. I HAVE NOT BOUGHT ONE YET. ALSO I LIKE TO READ AT NIGHT AND DURING OUTSIDE DAY. THANKS

I do know that awhile ago, Audible.com had a promotion where you could sign up for one of their long term plans and they'd give you a Shuffle, so it must work with Audible files. Since I don't own a shuffle, I don't know exactly how it works. But I seem to recall that there is a way to tell the Shuffle to play the tracks in the order you put them on the player.

dordale :)

Audible.com lists the Shuffle as one of the devices that can be used with the service, so at least in that case, the Shuffle works. Maybe mp3 files shuffle and .aa files don't.
That does sound rather plausible.

I do know that awhile ago, Audible.com had a promotion where you could sign up for one of their long term plans and they'd give you a Shuffle, so it must work with Audible files.

Actually, I think an audible book is generally 1 file. However, I didn't think you could select a specific file to play.

BOb

Alright, I got curious regarding the Shuffle and went to Apple's website. According to the Shuffle user guide, there is a switch on the Shuffle that you can use to choose either shuffle mode or continuous play. In my opinion, the Shuffle still is less than ideal for listening to audio books--too difficult to find your place in if you lose it!

And Bob you are right--audible files generally come in 1-3 large (4-7 hour) files. I buy mostly unabridged books from them, and they usually end up being 2 files, although I have had some that are only one file and a few that are three.

dordale :)

And Bob you are right--audible files generally come in 1-3 large (4-7 hour) files. I buy mostly unabridged books from them, and they usually end up being 2 files, although I have had some that are only one file and a few that are three.


Ah... ok. All those my wife has downloaded so far have been one file. Perhaps she chooses shorter books.

BOb

I've listened to about 200 audio books on various devices. The best/cheapest way to go is the Sansa M series (very, very, inexpensive). It plays Audible.com files and DRM WMA files (Overdrive). Older Rio Forge and Samsung YP T6 models are also very good for audio books.

I also listen on a 1st generation nano. Good, but the battery life is lame.