Computer Hope

Other => Other => Topic started by: 02bin3 on January 29, 2018, 06:33:46 AM

Title: Audio Books
Post by: 02bin3 on January 29, 2018, 06:33:46 AM
I have a Desktop & a Laptop, but no iPhone or any other type of device that I could download audiobooks with.  My question is, is it possible to download audiobooks to my Desktop computer and then turn them into CDs so that I can listen to them through the CD player in my car?  I frequently have a 3-hour trip to drive that is, at times, through the mountains so I lose radio signals and those audiobooks really are great when I can't get radio news or music.  Or is this not legal even if it is possible? ???
Title: Re: Audio Books
Post by: DaveLembke on January 29, 2018, 07:29:35 AM
It is possible. Legality depends on what is being downloaded and converted.

One suggestion I have is something I did long ago before cars came with MP3 players. You stated you have a laptop. If the audio book is one that is able to be downloaded, then download it to the laptop. Use a low cost 120 watt 12VDC to 120VAC inverter that goes into cigarette lighter or auxiliary 12V socket in vehicle to power laptop for long drives. Either play the audio out of the laptop directly or connect the audio out of laptop to auxiliary input of stereo. If car is too old for aux input then the other 2 options are getting a FM transmitter to connect to the audio out on laptop and set radio to say 87FM or if your car is old enough to have a cassette player get one of those cassette tapes with audio cord to play it through the cassette player.

I did this 15 years ago when studying for college and lucked out finding that a 900 page dry book that I needed to read I was able to find online in audio format. So my 120 minutes per day driving I could multitask and take in information and drive at the same time, as for if a book is dry I cant get past the first chapter. I used a laptop with inverter to power it and one of those cassette tapes that allows audio direct to magnetic head in tape deck and it worked awesome.

I don't think anyone here will share how to take that and convert it to a audio CD because the directions would be a cookbook for music piracy if used for other purposes etc. So the suggested method above assumes its available for download legally and you just need a means to play it on stereo in your car.  ;D
Title: Re: Audio Books
Post by: 02bin3 on January 29, 2018, 08:30:07 AM
Thanks for your reply, Dave.  My car is a 2018 RAV4 LE.  It has a CD slot and a whole lot of other stuff that is standard that I haven't a clue as to what they're for or what they do.  There is an AUX port and a USB port.  I'm green as grass when it comes to electronic "stuff" so, bear with me.  Is there a connector on the market that will go into the AUX port that has a USB connector on the other end that will go into the power USB port of the Laptop? 
Title: Re: Audio Books
Post by: BC_Programmer on January 29, 2018, 08:51:36 AM
You can plug a standard Phono cable from the Laptop's Headphone jack to the AUX Jack.
Title: Re: Audio Books
Post by: DaveLembke on January 29, 2018, 11:28:28 AM
As BC stated & to power the laptop there are devices called inverters that can bring 120VAC outlets to your automobile. This one here is rated for 100 watts which should be more than plenty for a single laptop. Most laptops draw 80 watts or lesser. This one linked below is better than the one that i have because it allows you to not sacrifice a 12V cigarette/aux outlet as for it has one built into it of you need to plug something into the 12V aux jack of vehicle.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA2F83DW6927&cm_re=inverter-_-12-329-184-_-Product


The USB port of your vehicle can play MP3 files through a USB stick if your able to get the audio books as MP3 just put them on a thumb drive and in the options for the stereo select the play from USB Media. No laptop needed if you can get it as MP3's.  I'd go this route vs laptop in vehicle if your able to get the audio books as MP3. A laptop in a automobile comes at the risk of it getting stolen. I use to have to tuck mine under the passenger side seat and lock doors to not be tempting for someone to break the window and grab it.

The USB port can also be used to charge cell phones, tablets, portable gps device, as well as many other devices that have a USB data/power connection.
Title: Re: Audio Books
Post by: 02bin3 on January 29, 2018, 04:24:29 PM
Thank you for these great ways to get around my lack of electronic alternatives that most folks have.  I've been happy with computers since 1995, so I haven't bothered to broaden my horizons with more gadgetry.  I think I will try and see if I can get these audio books to download in MP3 as I've got enough high capacity thumb drives around here. :)
Title: Re: Audio Books
Post by: Geek-9pm on January 29, 2018, 05:24:33 PM
02bin3,
Many web sites have free MP3 libraries that feature readings of books and magazines.  These do have copyrights, but that means that it is OK to save them for your own enjoyment. The copyright prevents you from legally giving it to other people.
http://www.openculture.com/freeaudiobooks

You can get MP3 players  with cigarette lighter plug-in. The unit has a FM transmitter the sends a strong signal to a car radio in the standard FM band.
Go to:
https://www.walmart.com/
... and search for Car MP3 Player FM
Also look on Amazon.

Title: Re: Audio Books
Post by: 02bin3 on January 29, 2018, 06:14:51 PM
Thank you.  Now I have even more choices.   ;)
Title: Re: Audio Books
Post by: patio on January 29, 2018, 06:25:29 PM
If his car CD player plays MP3's why would he need this...

Quote
You can get MP3 players  with cigarette lighter plug-in. The unit has a FM transmitter the sends a strong signal to a car radio in the standard FM band.
Go to:
https://www.walmart.com/
... and search for Car MP3 Player FM
Also look on Amazon.

He can simply burn them to CD's...
Title: Re: Audio Books
Post by: Geek-9pm on January 29, 2018, 07:09:43 PM
Oops!   :-[  Here are the specs for that car:
Quote
...
 ======OPTION PACKAGES: ALL WEATHER LINER PACKAGE Cargo Tray, All Weather Floor Liners. Rear Spoiler, MP3 Player, Privacy Glass, Keyless Entry, Steering Wheel Controls.
...
Notice that the Privacy Glass is right after the MP3 player. They can not tell who is playing such music! Very important option!
Title: Re: Audio Books
Post by: patio on January 29, 2018, 07:40:14 PM
You're goin off the deep end Geek...
Title: Re: Audio Books
Post by: 02bin3 on January 30, 2018, 07:37:56 AM
Thank you, Geek, however, I bought the base model LE with no extra Bells & Whistles other than what the base model provides, and compared to my 8-year-old Forester, it has a lot more as regards to the electronic stuff, but less on the comfort level.  I do know that a cell phone can be paired up with the Blue Tooth system, however, not having a cell phone, that was a non-starter.  From what I understood from the salesman, the higher end models of RAV4 do not have a CD player as they assume you have all your music on an iPhone and can play your music through that.  I'm still reading the book trying to figure out what all the stuff is that can distract you from driving and can't imagine having more that higher end models provide.  Do love the backup camera as it makes up for the narrow rear window that cuts down on rear visibility.
Title: Re: Audio Books
Post by: 02bin3 on January 30, 2018, 07:44:31 AM
Thank you, Patio.  Burning them to CDs was my original thought, but I didn't know if it was possible.  I certainly have a lot of CDs stashed away and it would make it a lot easier.  Selling them would not be something I would do.  I do respect the patent ownership of others.  Wouldn't want it done to me were the shoe on the other foot.