[access-uk] Re: So, what about the Vi-Player?

  • From: "Ian Macrae" <ian.macrae@xxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Thu, 19 Jul 2007 09:56:30 +0100

Ray, Alan Shaw at SV told me that it does have TTS and so would play text files 

-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of 
Ray's Home
Sent: 19 July 2007 08:59
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: So, what about the Vi-Player?

I spoke at some length yesterday (that's Wednesday) to the guy behind the SAKS 
VI-Player, and I recorded our conversation too.

I do hope this player finds a niche for itself alongside the glittering 
campaign behind the Victor Stream, (and I went to the presentation at 1:30 
which was quite well presented, and which I also have a recording of.)

Maybe I'll say more about the Vi-layer tomorrow, but it is a bit bigger than 
the Stream, has a tollerable speaker built in, and a very clear contrast and 
bright display for anyone with usable sight - though of course all the 
navigation is echoed in speech.  It uses a standard Nokia mobile phone battery 
so replacements shouldnt be hard to come by.  Seem to recall battery life is 
around 20 hours, but will have to refer to my recording to be sure on that 
point.

I certainly found the buttons on the Vi-player more tactile than the Stream's 
buttons, so for anyone with less sensitive touch it would be the better option.

Like the Stream, this guy seemed to think shipping would be next month, or 
September.  I just hope this isn't a case of vapour hardware because I think 
the Vi-player does have a lot going for it.  (OH yes, it doesn't play text 
files, which, of course, the Stream does.)

Cheers for now.

From Ray
I can be contacted off-list at:
mailto:ray-48@xxxxxxxx


-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On
Behalf
Of Graham Page


I went along yesterday and the vi-player company, Saks Electronics, wasn't even 
there as the guy had it seems gon at lunch time and was not due back until 
today (Wednesday).  I am not sure why he didn't stay all the time, but it does 
seem a little slack that there was not always someone on hand to give info on 
or demonstrate the product.

Cheers

Graham
Graham Page
Home Phone: 0207 265 9493
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: Tuesday, July 17, 2007 4:14 PM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: So, what about the Vi-Player?


except it doesn't do scanned text reading.

________________________________

From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of 
Ray's Home
Sent: 17 July 2007 14:30
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: So, what about the Vi-Player?


Thanks for the extra info on the Vi-Player Ian.  Seems, as I pointed out on 
another list, these things come along in bunches, like waiting for buses.

Well, seems this Vi-Player will be on demo, so it seems, in the Reading Room at 
SV, so for anyone wanting to find out more and get some nitty gritty on 
deciding between this or the Stream, it would seem the place to go if you can 
make it.  If the Vi-layer has a variable speed function then choosing between 
it and the Stream might be quite difficult.


From Ray
I can be contacted off-list at:
mailto:ray-48@xxxxxxxx

-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On
Behalf Of
Ian Macrae



A bit more news on this VIPlayer.  It's currently in pre-production but will 
eventually retail for £175.  It has 4GB on board memory and can also take SD 
cards up to 8 gig.  They're currently working on getting more daisy 
functionality into it and it's already registered as an Audible player.

_____________________________________________
From:   access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> ]  On Behalf Of Ray's Home
Sent:   16 July 2007 19:49
To:     VI-Genaccess@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx;
RNIBTalkingBooksArena@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; Access-Uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject:        [access-uk] So, what about the Vi-Player?

We've all been talking about the Victor Stream, seemingly being launched about 
now, but I hear now of the Vi-Player?  Seems Calibre have had a hand in its 
development, but it is another portable MP3 player.

Seems we might find out something in the Reading Room at SV - (this curtasy of 
Terry What Not's site.

Clicking on the link gives me a time out in Firefox, but this is what I've 
gleaned from a Googled cashed page.

  _____


Company philosophy

SAKS Electronics was specifically formed to design, manufacture and distribute 
the "VI-Player". SAKS Electronics are a privately owned British company and 
have worked with some of the best known names in the industry to design the 
ultimate MP-3 player for visually impaired users.


Calibre Cassette Library have been heavily involved during the design and 
manufacturing process of "VI-Player" and this has given SAKS a unique insight 
into the needs and requirements of visually impaired users.
Also,
due to the user-friendly nature of the player the unit is ideal for all users 
who may have deteriorating eyesight or just simply want an easy to use device 
for playback of audio files.


"VI-Player" will open up a whole world of MP-3 entertainment to all users, 
audio files (whether they are music or audio-books) can be easily loaded and 
played from either the internet or from existing libraries using SD card 
technology. The voice-guidance software will guide you precisely through the 
easy-to-use menu system and take you exactly to what you want to listen to.
The unique "Intelligent Pause/Resume" function will ensure you never lose your 
place while listening.


At SAKS Electronics we have a passion for what we do - and we believe you will 
see this in our product. "VI-Player" has been specifically designed with the 
needs of visually impaired users in mind and offers the very latest in 
technology whilst remaining easy to use.




Innovation lies at our heart, we constantly challenge convention.
Through
fresh thinking we are continually first with new ideas and products that seize 
the initiative. Even as we've grown we have stayed innovative; striving to 
create our next advance. This ensures you will always be offered products that 
take full advantage of opportunities and technologies available, "VI-Player" is 
only the first product to be offered by SAKS Electronics and over the coming 
years more new and exciting products will be added.


We are committed to working in partnership with experts - knowing what core 
skills are a part of SAKS, and refining these - knowing what expertise others 
have and working with them. We created "VI-player" by listening to experts who 
know what users require and by using manufacturers who are the best in their 
chosen field and have a commitment to making the very best product possible. 
Innovation, partnership and commitment to excellence - three hallmarks of the 
way we approach business.


(End of exstract)

So, just another MP3 player?  Or what?

Yours, intrigued.

From Ray
I can be contacted off-list at:
mailto:ray-48@xxxxxxxx <mailto:ray-48@xxxxxxxx>


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