Comparison of DAISY Players and Cassette Players

 DAISY Players (DTBMs)

Advanced Navigation:

These products enable the client to browse through the literature via tracks. The machine is equipped with function keys or "move keys" that allow the client to go through the book by chapter, section, page, paragraph, or other specified book elements, depending on how the book has been structured.

Stability of CDs:

These products play CD's (compact discs), which use light to record material onto a dye on the surface of the CD. A receptor in the player receives a beam of light reflected from these recordings. The result is better sound quality and durability.

Space on CDs:

The use of the DAISY CD format means that more information can be stored on a smaller space. Most books can be recorded onto just one CD.

 Cassette Players (TBMs)

Limited Navigation:

This product gives the client two options, of going forward or backward. This makes it difficult to use the TBM in the way that a sighted person would read a book.

For example, on a cassette, finding a magazine article or a certain chapter in a novel is extremely time consuming.

Stability of Tape:

TBM's play cassettes that consist of magnetic tape, making them relatively unstable. Every time a magnetic tape is played, it is subjected to wear and tear, scratching and stretching, and damage from loading and ejecting. This affects the sound quality and overall longevity of the tape.

Space on Tapes:

Magnetic tapes are not compact and use a lot of space. It is not uncommon to find that a novel of about 300 pages may be recorded onto 2 to 3 cassettes or more.