[access-uk] Re: Milestone 311 digital recorder and MP3 player

My understanding is that it's in the Online Shop from tomorrow.  But probably 
best to check with RNIB before quoting me.  
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Graham Page 
  To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2006 4:57 PM
  Subject: [access-uk] Re: Milestone 311 digital recorder and MP3 player


  hi Ian.  Do we have a date when this will be sold by RNIB yet?  I am 
  interested in suggesting this product in an access to work situation but 
  need to know when it will be available in the UK first.

  Cheers

  Graham
  Graham Page

  Mobile: 07753 607980
  Fax:  0870 706 2773
  Email: gpage@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  MSN: gabriel_mcbird@xxxxxxxxxxx
  Skype: gabriel_mcbird
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: "Ian Macrae" <ian.macrae@xxxxxxxxx>
  To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  Sent: Friday, February 24, 2006 4:25 PM
  Subject: [access-uk] Re: Milestone 311 digital recorder and MP3 player


  Hi Clive,

  I've had one from the Swiss manufacturers for a few weeks now.  It has 
  clearly been designed with the needs of visually impaired users very much in 
  mind.  The buttons are highly tactile and strongly contrasted with the 
  fasure.  All the functions and actions are spoken.  In short it is a very 
  usable and accessible device if you have little or no sight.

  The information you passed on misses out some other important things.  The 
  MP3 player relies totally on SD or MMC memory card storage.  Top Whack for 
  these is, I believe, presently 2GB.  The unit will, I understand, be 
  supplied with a 128MB SD card. If you are serious about MP3 and want to 
  carry more than a few dozen tracks around with you, then you might find this 
  very limiting.  However, if you want something on which to listen to the 
  occasional audio book or odd album, and which is extremely easy to interface 
  with your computer, then you might find the Milestone adequate for your 
  needs.

  There is a small external speaker on the front of the unit which, for its 
  size, produces reasonable quality, particularly for messages and notes 
  recorded on the digital voice recorder.  However, be aware that the player 
  is supplied sans headphones.

  One small frustration I've found is that the voice prompts are sampled 
  recordings of a real female voice.  These are delivered at a rather slow 
  rate.  If, like me, you're used to using synthesised speech at very high 
  speeds, it can be frustrating having to listen to this.

  In short, this is a very accessible and intuitively usable piece of kit and 
  will be of particular interest to people who are not massively friendly or 
  confident with their PC.  It's easy to get stuff into it and you don't have 
  to faff around with scripts for Jaws etc.  It interfaces easily with the PC. 
  But, given it's price to storage ratio, it's been said by people that, 
  compared, for example with the iPod shuffle, it's rather highly priced. 
  More serious MP3 users are likely to find the iRiver/Rockbox combination and 
  its 40 gig of space more attractive including on the price to storage ratio.

  If anyone would like a copy of the manual, please contact me privately at
  Ian.macrae@xxxxxxxxx

  And I'd be happy to oblige.

  Hope this has been helpful.

  Ian

  -----Original Message-----
  From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of 
  Clive Pallett
  Sent: 24 February 2006 16:04
  To: Access-UK
  Subject: [access-uk] Milestone 311 digital recorder and MP3 player

  Hello listers,



  I read in the RNIB's February Technology Update that they will soon be
  selling the Milestone 311 digital recorder and MP3 player.   For those
  of you who don't receive this update, here is the info.



  The Milestone 311 is a portable digital voice recorder and MP3 player, the 
  size of a credit card.  It can record up to 2 hours of voice notes using the 
  internal memory, or up to 140 hours using an external memory card.  You can 
  organise your notes into five folders and label them with voice tags.  In 
  addition, you can record from an external stereo source or a microphone in 
  hi-fi stereo quality.  The Milestone 311 can connect to your computer to 
  enable the transfer of audio files or books for listening on the move using 
  the integrated MP3 player which is fully self-voicing.  An upgrade will be 
  available later this year for customers wishing to play DAISY books.

  Dimensions: 85 times 54 times 14 mm (3.35 times 2.13 times 0.55
  inches)

  Weight 49 grams (1.7 ounces)

  Price:  £180 excluding VAT



  I did a search on the web for more information and according to a review on 
  the Blind Accessworld podcast this device has some limitations compared to 
  other products such as the bookport.  If anyone has either heard or read 
  about this device I would be interested to hear their comments.



  Best wishes,



  Clive Pallett





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