NLS/BPH: Reference Factsheet, Sources for Purchase of Cassette Players and Player-Recorders Compatible with Recorded Materials Produced by the National Library Service (NLS)

The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped provides a free library service of recorded books and magazines to persons who are unable to read or use standard print materials because of visual or physical limitations. This service is available to eligible residents of the United States and American citizens living abroad.

Individuals and institutions eligible for the NLS program may request appropriate playback equipment on free loan for as long as they are actively using this library service. Full details about eligibility requirements, a list of available equipment, and the addresses of cooperating libraries may be obtained by contacting the Reference Section, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, Washington, DC 20542.

This buying guide is intended for individuals and institutions that wish to purchase their own playback equipment, desire special features, or are ineligible for the free loan of NLS-provided playback equipment. It lists cassette players, followed by cassette player-recorders, available from a variety of sources. Playback speeds are noted in inches per second (ips). The standard commercial speed is 1-7/8 ips, and the NLS-compatible speed is 15/16 ips.

Part I lists producers of playback equipment that sell their products nationally and internationally or will make referrals to authorized distributors. Basic and optional features of each product are given. Accessories such as carrying cases, AC adaptors, headphones, and beltclips may be available at additional cost. Prices do not include shipping and handling charges or any applicable state taxes. Catalogs and the latest price quotations may be obtained directly from producers.

Part II includes additional distributors of the products described in detail in Part I. These distributors sell items nationally and internationally and should be contacted directly for catalogs or descriptive literature. No attempt was made to identify and list distributors at the local level.

Monaural headphones compatible with NLS machines are available from: American Printing House for the Blind, Ann Morris, LS&S Group, Inc., and National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Materials Center. Monaural headphones are also available from local Radio Shack stores and electronic outlets that sell Telex products.

Items listed in this reference circular are not part of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped program, and their listing does not imply endorsement.

Part I. Producers

American Printing House for the Blind (APH)

Marketing Department
1839 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY 40206-0085
(502) 895-2405
800-223-1839
(502) 899-2274 fax
info@aph.org
www.aph.org

Handi-Cassette II, a cassette player-recorder.

plays and records cassettes at 1-7/8 and 15/16 ips on 2 and 4 tracks
operates on AC or DC current, includes rechargeable battery
additional features:
- built-in microphone and speaker
- digital pitch control
- fast forward and preview
- operating instructions on cassette and in print, braille start-up sheet
- pause control
- rewind/review
- stereo playback through included headphones
- tactile symbols
- tape motion sensor
- tone index
measures 6-3/4" x 4-3/8" x 2-1/4"
weighs 1-1/2 lbs.
catalog no. 1-07085-00 (U.S. model) $170
catalog no. 1-07085-01 (international model) $ 160

Table Top Cassette Recorder-Player

plays and records cassettes at 1-7/8 and 15/16 ips on 2 and 4 tracks
operates on AC or DC current, includes rechargeable battery
additional features:
- auto stop and auto end-of-tape shut-off
- built-in microphone and speaker
- cue and review
- digital pitch control
- erase guard
- fast forward, rewind, and track change
- operating instructions on cassette and in print, braille start-up sheet
- pause control
- stereo playback through optional headphones
- tactile symbols on controls
- tape motion sensor
- tone index
- variable speed control
measures 3" x 9-3/8" x 11-1/8"
weighs 4-1/4 lbs.
catalog no. 1-07150-00 (U.S. model) $225
catalog no. 1-07150-01 (UK model, no adapter needed) $225
catalog no. 1-07150-02 (European model) $225

The American Printing House (APH) also has a foot-pedal switch that will turn a tape recorder on and off with a foot. It works with all APH cassette recorders. Catalog no. 1-07020-00, $10.

Innovative Rehabilitation Technology, Inc. (IRTI)

13465 Colfax Highway
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 274-2090
800-322-4784 sales
(530) 274-2093 fax
Info@IRTI.net
www.irti.net

The Multistation-4, a modified Sony cassette player-recorder, with AM/FM radio, TV sound, and weatherbands.

plays cassettes at 1-7/8 and 15/16 ips on 2 and 4 tracks
records cassettes at 1-7/8 and 15/16 ips on 2 tracks
operates on AC current with cord supplied or 4 D batteries, not included
additional features:
- adjustable telescopic antenna
- analog tuning
- built-in microphone
- operating instructions on cassette
- pause control
- variable speed control operates on NLS speed for 100% faster and 20% slower playback
measures 12" x 8" x 5"
$129.95

Study Station Recorder, a modified Sony cassette player-recorder.

plays cassettes at 1-7/8 and 15/16 ips on 2 and 4 tracks
records cassettes at 1-7/8 and 15/16 ips on 2 and 4 tracks
operates on AC current with adapter supplied or 4 AA batteries,
not included
additional features:
- built-in microphone and speaker
- built-in tape counter
- cue and review
- operating instructions on cassette
- pause control
- tone index
- variable speed control operates on NLS speed only for 100% faster and 20% slower playback
measures 9" x 5" x 1-1/2"
weighs 2 lbs.
$174.95

TCM-4TR, a modifed Sony cassette player-recorder. A hand-held model with speech compression.

plays cassettes at 1-7/8 and 15/16 ips on 2 and 4 tracks
records cassettes at 1-7/8 and 15/16 ips on 2 tracks
operates on AC current or 2 AA batteries, not included
additional features:
- built in microphone and speaker
- cue and review
- digital pitch control
- operating instructions on cassette
- pause control
- tone index
$199.95

TTR-200, a modified hand-held Sony cassette player-recorder.

plays cassettes at 1-7/8 and 15/16 ips on 2 and 4 tracks
records cassettes at 1-7/8 and 15/16 ips on 2 tracks
operates on AC current or 2 AA batteries, not included
additional features:
- built-in microphone and speaker
- cue and review
- headphones
- operating instructions on cassette
- pause control
- variable speed control for 30% faster and 20% slower playback
measures 4" x 3" x 1"
weighs 6 oz.
$104.95

TTR-30D, a modified hand-held Sony cassette player-recorder with stereo playback and record.

plays cassettes at 1-7/8 and 15/16 ips on 2 and 4 tracks
records cassettes at 1-7/8 and 15/16 ips on 2 tracks
operates on AC current or 2 AA batteries, not included
additional features:
- built-in mono microphone
- cue and review
- headphones
- operating instructions on cassette
- records in stereo with included external stereo microphone
- variable speed control for 30% faster and 20% slower playback
measures 4" x 3" x 1"
weighs 6 oz.
$164.95

TTR-221, a modified hand-held Sony cassette player-recorder with AM/FM radio.

plays cassettes at 1-7/8 and 15/16 ips on 2 and 4 tracks
records cassettes at 1-7/8 and 15/16 ips on 2 tracks
operates on AC current or 2 AA batteries, not included
additional features:
- analog tuning
- auto stop and auto end-of-tape shut-off
- built-in microphone and stereo speakers
- cue and review
- operating instructions on cassette
- pause control
- stereo headphones
measures 4.5" x 3.5" x 1.5"
weighs 8 oz.
$174.95

TTR-929-SP, a modified Sony desktop cassette player-recorder.

plays cassettes at 1-7/8 and 15/16 ips on 2 and 4 tracks
records cassettes at 1-7/8 and 15/16 ips on 2 tracks
operates on AC current with adapter supplied or 4 AA batteries, not included
additional features:
- built-in microphone and speaker
- cue and review
- operating instructions on cassette
- pause control
- variable speed control operates on NLS speed only for 100% faster and 20% slower playback
measures 9" x 5" x 1-1/2"
weighs 2 lbs.
$104.95

LS&S Group, Inc.

P.O. Box 673
Northbrook, IL 60065
(847) 498-9777
800-468-4789
866-317-8533 TTY
(847) 498-1482 fax
info@LSSproducts.com
www.lssproducts.com

Tape Talker, a modified cassette player.

plays cassettes at 1-7/8 and 15/16 ips on 4 tracks
operates on two AA batteries, not included
measures 4-1/2" x 3-1/2" x 1-1/2"
weighs 5 oz.
catalog no. LHS-82, $85.95

4 Track Play/2 Track Record, a modified Panasonic cassette player-recorder.

plays cassettes at 1-7/8 and 15/16 ips on 2 and 4 tracks
records cassettes at 1-7/8 and 15/16 ips on 2 tracks
operates on AC current with adapter supplied or 4 C batteries, not included
additional features:
- auto stop
- built-in microphone and speaker
- cue and review
- pause control
measures 9-3/4" x 5-1/2" x 2"
catalog no. 2633, $79.95
catalog no. 2633 VS has variable speed, $99.95

4 Track Play/4 Track Record, a modified Sony cassette player-recorder.

plays cassettes at 1-7/8 and 15/16 ips on 2 and 4 tracks
records cassettes at 1-7/8 and 15/16 ips on 2 tracks
operates on AC current with adapter supplied or 4AA batteries, not included
additional features:
- auto stop
- built-in microphone and speaker
- cue and review
- pause control
- variable speed control
measures 5-5/8" x 2-1/4" x 8-3/8"
catalog no. LH-68, $89.95

4 Track Play/4 Track Record, a modified Panasonic player-recorder.

plays and records cassettes at 1-7/8 and 15/16 ips on 4 tracks
operates on 2 AA batteries, not included
additional features:
- AM/FM stereo radio
- auto stop
- built-in microphone
catalog no. 71000, $124.95
catalog no. LH-83 is a modified Sony without radio but with fast forward and reverse, and variable speed control, $124.95

Also distributes the TutorT, a cassette player-recorder produced by Telex.

The Spinoza Company

2666 Patton Road
Roseville, MN 55113-1136
800-282-2327
(651) 604-6681 fax
spinoza@spinozabear.com
www.spinozabear.com

Spinoza Bear with Talking Book Cassette Player

plays cassettes at 1-7/8 and 15/16 ips on 2 and 4 tracks
operates on AC or DC current
additional features include:
- automatic shut-off
- includes theme tape
- single function control volume and power
- single switch selects tape speed and track
measures 17" tall
weighs 3 lbs
catalog no. 4500, $126

Telex Communications, Inc.

Corporate Offices
12000 Portland Avenue South
Burnsville, MN 55337
800-828-6107, x7406 customer service
(952) 887-5595 fax

Tutor™, a cassette player-recorder.

plays cassettes at 1-7/8 and 15/16 ips on 2 and 4 tracks
records cassettes at 1-7/8 and 15/16 ips on 2 tracks
operates on two AA batteries
additional features
- automatic shut-off
- built-in speaker and microphone
- cue and review
- headphones
- tactile symbols
- tape erase
- variable speed control
measures 5-1/2" x 4-1/8 " x 1-1/2"
weighs 8 oz.
catalog no. 300536-000, $125

Part II. Distributors

All the machines listed in this section are described in Part I.

Ann Morris Enterprises, Inc.
P.O. Box 9022
Hicksville, NY 11802-9022
(516) 937-1848
800-537-2118
(516) 937-3906 fax
askus@annmorris.com
www.annmorris.com

Distributes Telex products and others.

Independent Living Aids
P.O. Box 9022
Hicksville, NY 11802-9022
(516) 937-1848
800-537-2118
(516) 937-3906 fax
can-do@independentliving.com
www.independentliving.com

Distributes APH, IRTI, Telex products and others.

Maxi-Aids, Inc.
42 Executive Boulevard
Farmingdale, NY 11735
(631) 752-0521
800-522-6294 sales
(631) 752-0738 TTY
(631) 752-0689 fax
sales@maxiaids.com
www.maxiaids.com

Distributes APH, LS&S Group products and others.

National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Materials Center
1800 Johnson Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 659-9314, x2216
materials@nfb.org
www.nfb.org

Distributes IRTI products and others.

Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic
Customer Services Department
20 Roszel Road
Princeton, NJ 08540
800-221-4792
www.rfbd.org

Distributes IRTI and Telex products.

NLS Factsheets

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