Audio Books

[exgman]

I normally go to the library, check out some audio books on CD, and play them in the motorhomes CD player. I know one can download books and play them on an IPod, or IPad and other devices. I would bet they could be played on the home stereo system somehow. I just don't know how. For those of you that listen to audio books going down the road, whats the best way? Other than the way I currently do it.

[wa8yxm]

Playing computer based audio files, be it I-Pod, Android, I-product, Laptop or MP3 player on your "Home Theater" audio system is very easy.

First: You need a set of phono jacks marked AUX IN or LINE IN on the back of the amplifier which are not, currently in use. This will be the input..

If you do not have such an input then you can take another pair and double it by using a switch.

Next you will need a cable.. the link is to Radio Shack, all links in this post will be to Radio shack but there may be better sources.

MP3-Player 1/8" Jack to PHONO plugs cord

Now, this will work if the player is running on batteries.. IF you run the player off line or vehicle/house battery power and get an annoying HUMM or other noise then

Ground Loop Islator Use of this will require a different Cable from the one above (One that ends in a pair of phono jacks instead of phono plugs) but that should not be a problem. NOTE: Rumor has it this thing limits frequency response..


Finally,,, If you need to switch,, A common A/B switch,, You can use ones designed for either Audio or Video use (just skip the 3rd lead)

I have a couple I picked up around here for under 10 bucks (Video 3 position) Radio Shack should have them


Finally, (This is not the best solution but it works if you do not mind fussing with it a bit)

If you can not find or create an open set of AUX or LINE in jacks on your home theater there is the FM option.

YES, You too can own and operate your very own low power FM radio station.. Many companies sell such devices, Including RADIO shack, Radio Shack used to sell the I-Beam and I-Rock units (one of them comes with a 12 volt lighter plug the other only eats aaa batteries) Belkin makes one (I think Best Buy carried that one) and several other companies as well.. The problem is you can not always find a spot where there is not adjecent channel interference.

Hope this helps.

[Kemahsabe]

You can also rent audio books at Cracker Barrel for about $3.50 per week.

[Chris_Bryant]

Don't forget https://archive.org/ as a source.

[ReadyToGo]

Dick: I have also done that. I bet I have more than you. Listen to them almost every day. Nice is, that I can give them to others without DRM, or other rights.
For those that have volume issues, get the software program MP3gain.
http://mp3gain.sourceforge.net/
(why doesn't this forum have links for quick reply?)

[Dick_B]

We buy old time radio CD's from Radio Archives. We especially like the 50's detective/private eye series such as Richard Diamond, Boston Blackie, etc. Helps pass the time on those long trips to Florida from the Midwest.

[MarkTwain]

DW has books on her tablet, but the volume wasn't loud enough to hear in truck. We stopped at Wally's and got one of these which works great in the truck or at home. I know we didn't pay this much for it, so there must be other models.

X2
I also hook it up to my TV in the 5th. wheel. I bought a 10 ft. cord and then place the speakers right next to my recliner. This allows me to watch TV late at night without disturbing the rest of the family.

[JimBollman]

Newer Radio/CD car receivers can play regular CDs, MP3 CDs (allows whole books on one CD), have USB inputs for thumb drives or smart phones (mine has 2), sometime SD cards, sometime Bluetooth streaming from a smartphone or iPad. All possible book inputs. I usually use MP3 CDs that I make and thumb drives. Besides the audio books from the library I downdownload books that are release as Podcasts a chapter at a time, I collect them till I have the whole book and PodioBooks where you can download full books.

I also subscribe to several PodCasts that do radio plays, they are shorter but also have a place in our collection for trips.

[larry_cad]

There is no "best" way because it depends on the system you have installed in
Auxiliary" or something similar. However if you don't have an input, you will have to get more creative. There is always a way.

By the way, the "app" on the ipad is called "Overdrive" and you can download audio books from your local library with it.

[exgman]

robsouth wrote:

exgman wrote:
I would bet they could be played on the home stereo system somehow. I just don't know how.

By "they could be played" do you mean the CD's, or some alternate device?

I mean the book could be downloaded on to some device and played through the motorhome stereo system. How is it done? USB? Bluetooth? I'm afraid I've let technology pass me by. 😮

[robsouth]

exgman wrote:
I would bet they could be played on the home stereo system somehow. I just don't know how.

By "they could be played" do you mean the CD's, or some alternate device?

[brirene]

DW has books on her tablet, but the volume wasn't loud enough to hear in truck. We stopped at Wally's and got one of these Bluetooth speaker, which works great in the truck or at home. I know we didn't pay this much for it, so there must be other models.

[jcpainter]

Most libraries belong to a system that will let you download audio books onto a variety of devices. . . . and it's FREE!

I download them to my phone, then listen with my earbuds. It's wonderful!

[dgodinez]

I like to download to ipad or my cellphone and connect to the radio input. That way i can turn the volume up and also listen when i amnot travelling.