PLEXTALK Support

FAQ [ PTP1 | PTR2 | PTR1 ]

SAMNet and the Plextalk Pocket

Q.	I have a subscription to the System Access Mobile Network (SAMNet) from Serotek. Is the Plextalk Pocket among the supported portable devices to which I can transfer content?
A.	Yes. You can transfer audio-described movies, podcasts, blogs, forum messages and much more from your computer running SAMNet to your Plextalk Pocket.

Q.

How do I transfer SAMNet content from my computer to my Plextalk Pocket?

A.

Transfering SAMNet content directly to your PTP1 is easy. First, turn off your PTP1 and plug it in to your PC using the USB cable provided with your unit. Next, turn on the PTP1. You’ll be informed by both Windows and SAMNet that your unit has been connected. Next, find the content you’d like to transfer, and press the applications key or shift+f10 to bring up the context menu. Select “transfer to Plextalk Pocket” from this menu and your content will begin transferring immediately. When you’re done transferring content, you may disconnect your PTP1 and your content will be available.

Q.

Can I select content to transfer even if my PTP1 isn’t currently connected?

A.

Yes. You can add any supported content to your sync list in SAMNet and transfer it the next time your unit is connected. First, find the content you’d like to transfer. Next, press the applications key or shift+f10 to access the context menu. Choose the “add to sync list” option from this menu, and the content you’ve selected will be added to the list of content to transfer the next time your unit is connected. When you’re ready to transfer content to your PTP1, simply connect to your PC, open the media library within SAMNet, choose the “sync list” option, and tab to the button labeled “transfer content to Plextalk Pocket. Once this button is pressed, your content will begin transferring immediately.

Q.

I am not familiar with the System Access Mobile Network and I’d like to learn more. Can I get a trial of the product, and will I be able to transfer content to my PTP1 during that trial?

A.

Yes, a 30-day trial of the System Access Mobile Network is available and you can transfer content to your PTP1 during the trial. Please note that once your trial period has ended, all protected content such as audio-described movies will no longer play on your device. To set up a trial of SAMNet, start by visiting www.satogo.com and setting up a free account. Once you have been registered, you’ll begin your trial by installing System Access on your computer. Press modifier+f to open the System Access menu. Note that the modifier key can be insert, caps-lock, numpad 0, or scroll lock. From the System Access menu, press the letter A to access the “my account” section, and then follow the link entitled: “Install System Access on this computer.” Once System Access is installed, you’ll be able to launch SAMNet with control+alt+n, or by choosing “connect to the System access Mobile Network” from the System Access menu.

Q.	Where can I learn more about Serotek’s products?
A.	You may visit www.serotek.com to learn more about Serotek’s products. You may also call (866) 202-0520.

Bookshare digital books, newspaper and magazines

Q.	Can I play Bookshare books downloaded from their web site on my PLEXTALK Pocket?
A.	Yes. If you are an registered member of Bookshare, you can get digital books, newspaper and magazines at their web site. For more information about Bookshare membership, please go to Bookshare web site; http://www.bookshare.org/.

Q.

I have registered as a Bookshare member. How can I get a book from Bookshare and play it on my Pocket?

A.

You can download and play a book, newspaper or magazines as DAISY format on Bookshare web site on your Pocket. But Bookshare provides the titles as a zip file, and first you will have to extract a file on your computer, then copy it in the zip file to your Pocket directly or to an SD card. For more information on finding and downloading Bookshare books, please go to Bookshare web site; http://www.bookshare.org/about/gettingStartedOverview

Step 1: Download a file

On Bookshare web site, please find a title input your username and password you have received from NLS, then log in. After login, please select a book or magazine you want to read. When you press or select ENTER button, you will be asked how you get the book on your computer. Please press or select 'Save', not 'Open'. The following box will ask you to specify a location where you want to save the book. Please choose the location and press or select 'Save'. Then your computer will start downloading a zip file containing the book you have chosen.

Step 2: Unzip a file you have downloaded

The Bookshare book, newspaper or magazine is in a zip file you have downloaded. Please unzip this file on your computer.

Select the .zip book file.
Then choose Extract All from the File menu.
Finally choose a location for saving the files and enter your password.

We recommend to make a new folder and save the files in the zip file.

Step 3: Copy the book, newspaper or magazine from your PC

Case 1: If you want to copy book or magazine to your Pocket via USB

Please make sure to power off your Pocket. Then please connect Pocket to your PC using a long USB cable which was provided with Pocket in a gift box. Please power on your Pocket and your PC will recognize your Pocket, SD card in your Pocket exactly speaking, as a removable drive.
Please copy the whole folder you made and save the files in the zip file to your Pocket. The folder will be saved on the SD card in your Pocket.
Note: PLEASE MAKE SURE TO COPY?THE FOLDER YOU MADE ON YOUR COMPUTER TO YOUR POCKET. IF YOU COPY THE FILES ON THE ROOT OF THE REVOVEBLE DRIVE, PLEXTALK POCKET CAN NOT PLAY THE TITLE.
After your PC complete to copy it, please remove this removable drive using Safely Remove Hardware provided on the Windows System Tray. After your PC announce you can safely remove it, please disconnect the USB cable from your Pocket and your Pocket will start to restart automatically.
Now you can play the Bookshare title you have copied to your Pocket. Please just operate your Pocket as you select books on your SD card.

Case 2: If you want to copy book or magazine to SD card inserted in card reader

Please insert a SD card to an SD card reader and connect it to your computer.
Please make sure that your computer have recognized this SD card as a removable drive.
Please copy the whole folder you made and save the files in the zip file to your Pocket. The folder will be saved on the SD card in your Pocket. Note: PLEASE MAKE SURE TO COPY?THE FOLDER YOU MADE ON YOUR COMPUTER TO YOUR POCKET. IF YOU COPY THE FILES ON THE ROOT OF THE REVOVEBLE DRIVE, PLEXTALK POCKET CAN NOT PLAY THE TITLE.
After your PC complete to copy it, please remove this removable drive using Safely Remove Hardware provided on the Windows System Tray. After your PC announce you can safely remove it, please insert the SD card into your Pocket and power it on.
Now you can play the NLS book or magazine you have copied to your Pocket. Please just operate your Pocket as you select books on your SD card.

NLS digital books (on BARD service or cartridge)

Q.	Can I play NLS books downloaded from their web site on my PLEXTALK Pocket?
A.	Yes. If you are an eligible reader of NLS, you can get digital talking books and magazines at the NLS Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) service web site. For more information, please go and see BARD service web site; https://nlsbard.loc.gov/.

Q.

Do I need to apply registrations or authorizations in order to download NLS books and play them on my Pocket?

A.

Yes. You need to register to BARD service and authorize your PLEXTALK Pocket for playback of books and magazines NLS provides. The registration and authorization are made through the following process.

Select PLEXTALK Pocket on NLS BARD service for authorization

Case 1: For a person who does not have a username nor password of NLS BARD service:
You have to get a username and password to login and access to NLS BARD service web site. First please go to the following web site.
https://nlsbard.loc.gov/
On this page, please select and jump to the link for the 'BARD application instructions' . If you have confirmed you qualify, please select the 'link to the BARD application form' on this page and you will move to this form page. On that form page, please select the library you are affiliated with from a dropdown box on this page then press or select Submit button, and you will move to another page. On that page, please enter necessary information for the application then please press or select the Submit button, and you will move to the page to select your player. On this page, please select PLEXTALK Pocket from the player list. Finally you will be approved. After that your username and password will be delivered by email from NLS. If there is a problem, you will receive a message explaining the problem.

Case 2: For a person who have got a username and password of NLS BARD service:
Please go to the following web page.
https://nlsbard.loc.gov/
On that page, please input your username and password and log in to NLS BARD service. On the following page, please select 'Account Settings' and register your PLEXTALK Pocket.

Note: Some of your personal information will be sent and shared by us to be used only for key generation process.
You will be contacted by us to start the key generation process.

NLS will notify us that your PLEXTALK Pocket has been registered. After that, we will send email to you to ask for the serial number of your PLEXTALK Pocket. The serial number is needed to generate a unique key only for your Pocket. Please send email with the serial number, your name and so on.
You can find the serial number of your Pocket by pressing the Menu Key on your device, choose 'System settings' and then 'System properties'. The 12-digit serial number is announced after the system version. This System properties will be announced repeatedly. Even if you have missed to note it down, please keep announcing it and note it carefully. If you want to stop announcing, please press the Menu key.
The serial number is also be printed on the label on the inside of the battery housing.
Key will be delivered to you

Once we have received email with the serial number, we will generate a key file and send it to you as a file attached to email. This email will tell you how to install the key. After the key installation, PLEXTALK Pocket will be able to play NLS books, magazines, newspapers you have got from NLS BARD service and transfer to the SD card on your PLEXTALK Pocket. Also you will be play books on NLS cartridge.

Q.

I have registered for the BARD service and my Pocket has been authorized with a key. How can I get a book from BARD and play it on my Pocket?

A.

You can download a book or magazine on BARD service web site. But BARD service provides books or magazine as a zip file, and first you will have to extract a file on your computer, then copy the book or magazine in the zip file to your Pocket directly or to an SD card.

Step 1: Download a file
On NLS BARD web site at https://nlsbard.loc.gov/, please input your username and password you have received from NLS, then log in. After login, please select a book or magazine you want to read. When you press or select ENTER button, you will be asked how you get the book on your computer. Please press or select 'Save' , not 'Open' . The following box will ask you to specify a location where you want to save the book. Please choose the location and press or select 'Save' . Then your computer will start downloading a zip file containing the book you have chosen.

Step 2: Unzip a file you have downloaded
The NLS book or magazine is in a zip file you have downloaded. Please unzip this file on your computer. One of the ways to unzip it is just to double-click the file and a new window where the book or magazine is displayed will open.

Step 3: Copy NLS book or magazine from your PC
Case 1: If you want to copy book or magazine to your Pocket via USB

Please make sure to power off your Pocket. Then please connect Pocket to your PC using a long USB cable which was provided with Pocket in a gift box. Please power on your Pocket and your PC will recognize your Pocket, SD card in your Pocket exactly speaking, as a removable disk.
Please make a new folder on the removable disk. Your Pocket will recognize any folder names written in alphabets and/or numbers. Please copy the NLS book or magazine into this folder. This copy process may take some time.
After your PC complete to copy it, please remove this removable disk using Safely Remove Hardware provided on the Windows System Tray. After your PC announce you can safely remove it, please disconnect the USB cable from your Pocket and your Pocket will start to restart automatically.
Now you can play the NLS book or magazine you have copied to your Pocket. Please just operate your Pocket as you select books on your SD card.

Case 2: If you want to copy book or magazine to SD card inserted in card reader

Please insert a SD card to an SD card reader and connect it to your computer.
Please make sure that your computer have recognized this SD card as a removable drive.
Please make a new folder on the removable disk. Your Pocket will recognize any folder names written in alphabets and/or numbers. Please copy the NLS book or magazine into this folder. This copy process may take some time.
Note: PLEASE DO NOT COPY BOOKS OR MAGAZINES ON THE ROOT OF SD CARD. PLEXTALK POCKET CAN NOT PLAY THOSE CONTENTS. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO MAKE A NEW FOLDER ON SD CARD AND COPY THE CONTENTS INTO THIS FOLDER.
After your PC complete to copy it, please remove this removable disk using Safely Remove Hardware provided on the Windows System Tray. After your PC announce you can safely remove it, please insert the SD card into your Pocket and power it on.
Now you can play the NLS book or magazine you have copied to your Pocket. Please just operate your Pocket as you select books on your SD card.

Q.	Can I read a book in a NLS book cartridge on PLEXTALK Pocket?
A.	Yes. First please make sure to authorize your PLEXTALK Pocket for NLS books as you read above. After that please just connect an NLS book cartridge to your Pocket by a short USB cable which came with your Pocket in a gift box as one of the standard accessories. Your Pocket will recognize and select a book in the cartridge as a USB media, so you can just press Play Key to read the book.

Q.	Can I copy a book in a NLS cartridge to my Pocket?
A.	Yes. First please connect an NLS book cartridge to your PLEXTALK Pocket by a short USB cable which came with your Pocket in a gift box as one of the standard accessories. Your Pocket will recognize the cartridge as a USB media. Then please press the 9 Key. Your Pocket will start to back up the book into the SD card inserted in the Pocket.

[ Top of this page | PTP1 | PTR2 | PTR1 ]

Q. What is the difference between the PTR1 and PTR2?
A.

PTR2 has a separate menu key, Separate volume up and down keys and a relocated eject key.
PTR2 has a modified body shape in durable plastic.
he recording level, speed and tone control switches have been moved to the right side of the unit The power switch has been moved to the right side of the unit and can now be locked with the use of the key lock/key describer switch.
The card slot has been moved to the front of the unit under the CD drive and is now a CF card slot rather than a PCMCIA slot. A CF card is provided with the unit.
The microphone socket is now stereo rather than mono.
PTR2 accepts the plug-in power type of external microphone.
Automatic gain control (AGC) is now available, if selected, for use with the external microphone and the Line in options as well as the built in microphone.
The USB interface with a computer can now be used to directly access not only the CD drive but also the CF card.
PTR2 has 2 modes of operation. These are Normal mode and Book Creator mode. Normal mode provides a simplified method of producing a DAISY recording. Book Creator mode gives the user access to more advanced editing functions.
Heading and page markers can now be positioned using 0.1 second adjustments rather than 'attaching' them to specific phrases.

About other differences, see the following table.

Comparative chart between PTR1 and PTR2

Item	PTR2	PTR1
External Microphone Jack	3.5mm in diameter stereo mini-jack	3.5mm in diameter monaural mini-jack
USB Card drive (reader) function	Available	Not available
USB CD drive function	Available	Available
Externally connected terminal	USB1.1	USB1.1
CF Card	64MB media is attached.	-
Card slot	CF card Type I / Type II	PCMCIA
Playable audio file format for Audio file CD/Card	MP3, Wave(PCM), Ogg Vorbis	MP3
Operating time with battery	DAISYCD: 6 hours Music CD: 2.5 hours CF card: 8 hours	DAISYCD: 4 hours Music CD: 2.5 hours CF card: 6 hours
Dimensions (Width x Length x Height)	167mm x 205mm x 50mm	150mm x 180mm x 38mm
Weight	940g	860g

Q.	Can Plextalk PTR1 play MP3 music?
A.	PTR1 plays MP3 files and supports variable bit rate. MPEG1 Layer3 32kbps~320kbps VBR MPEG2 Layer3 8kbps~160kbps VBR

Q.	Does Plextalk PTR1 support a standard .m3u playlist?
A.	Yes, it does. However, PTR1 can not support multiple playlists in same folder or the root directory. When you have several playlists, please put a playlist in each folder.

Q.	Will I lose my place if I turn off my Plextalk player?
A.	The Plextalk PTR1 will automatically bookmark and remember your place where you turn off or remove CDs.

Bookmark

Q.	How many bookmarks can be stored?
A.	You can store up to 10,000 bookmarks or 30 minutes voice-bookmarks.

Q.	What is maximum number of bookmarks to input?
A.	The maximum number is 65000. If you input 65001 or above, the bookmark will not be placed.

Battery

Q.	What is the battery life?
A.	Playing Daisy CD - Approx. 4 hours, Recording Daisy on CD - Approx 2 hours Playback CD-DA disc - Approx. 2 hours, Recording CD-DA on CD - Approx 2.5 hours.

Q.	What is the battery life for flash memory?
A.	Recording/Playback card - Approx. 6 hours.

Q.	What is the battery life for 1GB Micro Drive?
A.	Playing - Approx. 5 hours, Recording - Approx 4 hours

Q.	How long to be full charged?
A.	It takes max 4 hours (Normal 3.5 hours). You cannot overcharge the battery.

Q.	What is type of battery?
A.	Lithium-ion.

Q.	What is battery charge life with machine off?
A.	Approximately 1 month

Recording

Q.	How long can be recorded on the single CD?
A.	You can record up to 80 hours on the single CD.

PC card

Q.	How long does it take backup?
A.	Daisy backup (600MB) CD to PC card: 10 min PC Card to CD: 20 min MP3 Music backup (70 min) CD to PC card: 45 min PC Card to CD: 30 min Music backup (70 min) CD to PC card: 20 min PC Card to CD: 20 min * Measured by IBM's 1GB Microdrive

Other

Q.	How long can I record each notepad?
A.	You can record up to 1 minute and automatically stop.

Q.	What is "Clear All Setting" in the control panel?
A.	When you execute "Clear All Setting", the setting will be the factory default setting. - Default to the recording and volume setting - Delete all bookmarks - Delete all notepads - Delete ON timer