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Welcome to Player!

Heard a good book lately? Check out the latest with PlayAway and Player. Player and accessories included. 

Playaway FAQ's
Player FAQ's
Instructions & Hardware Overview

Player FAQ's

What is Player?
KCLS now offers another way for you to ‘listen’ to a book — via Player — a digital audio device, otherwise known as an MP3 player.  

What does this mean to me?
With Player the book arrives already downloaded on the player, which means that you don’t have to mess with physical tapes, the device doesn’t skip and it’s portable.

What is the loan period?
28 days.

How do I find Player books?

You can search for Player titles in the catalog by doing a call number search using the call number "player".

How do I check them out?
You will need to place a hold on the Player record and request that the item be sent to your local community library.

What will I get when I pick it up?
You will get a kit that includes an MP3 player loaded with the requested audiobook, a new AA battery, headphones and a set of instructions.

You can also use your own headphones. And, the battery included may not be sufficient for the length of the book. Please feel free to change out the AA battery if needed. 

What happens if I can’t figure it out?
Click here To view the instructions or for additional assistance, call The Answer Line at 425.462.9600.

Playaway FAQ's

How to turn on Playaway
First, make sure you have pulled the small white tab from the battery door. This activates the standard AAA battery that was pre-loaded into your Playaway unit. Next, press the Playaway button once to power it on. The Playaway button is the center button on the bottom row, just beneath the LCD. It has the Playaway logo on it. The unit is now on in a paused state. Now you can plug in your ear buds – or any other headphones, speakers or adapter. Finally, when you’re ready, press the Playaway button again and the book will begin to play.

How to replace the battery
The base of the Playaway has a battery door that can be removed, much like on a common remote control. Simply snap it off – don’t worry, you won’t break it. It takes some force. Once it’s off just replace the battery with a standard AAA, and snap the battery cover back in place.

How to attach a lanyard
At the narrow top of the Playaway unit is a small lanyard that slides out of the unit. Simply pull out with some force and the lanyard clip will snap into place. Then take the lanyard itself and loop the thin end through the lanyard clip opening. Once the lanyard is looped through itself, you can either push the clip back into the unit or leave it up.

New content cannot be added to Playaway
Playaway was designed to protect the copyrighted works of authors and publishers. In this respect, Playaway is no different than a hard cover book; consumers can share them with friends just like they would lend their new favorite bestseller, but they can’t make copies.

How to use Playaway in your car
Playaway has a universal headphone jack that can be used with most of the commonly available car adapters on the market, including cassette adapters and FM transmitters.

What is the size of a Playaway and how much content can it hold?
Playaway weighs just two ounces and is about half the size of a deck of cards and holds content that ranges from 3 to 24 hours play time.

Why can't I add, delete or transfer content on or from a Playaway?
Playaway was designed to protect the copyrighted works of authors and publishers. In this respect, Playaway is no different than a hard cover book; patrons can share them with friends just like they would lend their new favorite bestseller, but they can’t make copies.

How long does one AAA battery last?
Each Playaway is pre-loaded with a standard AAA battery that should allow for 6-8 hours of uninterrupted playtime.

Can I use another set of headphones with my Playaway?
Absolutely. Playaway was designed with a universal headphone jack in order to allow patrons to enjoy their content using almost any type of headphones, speakers or mobility accessories available on the market. As a result, Playaway can be enjoyed wherever you want to listen, including your car and your home.

How does Playaway compare to audio on cassette or CD?
Playaway is more convenient and easier to enjoy than juggling multiple CDs, cassettes or a separate player. Playaway also offers various enhanced digital features, including the ability to control the speed of the narrator's voice.

How does Playaway compare to digital downloads and other forms of on-the-go downloading like cell phones?
Playaway comes pre-loaded with its digital content, so it does not require information transfer fees, subscriptions, memberships, or even an Internet connection. Just plug-in your headphones and listen wherever you go.

What does the audio sound like on a Playaway?
Playaway audio is equal to or better than most digital downloads available today. This is due to proprietary audio processing, production and codecs that we use to retain fidelity while compressing the digital audio file size.

The volume can only be made louder.  In order to get it softer one must go all the way to the loudest, after which it goes to the very softest, then work your way up. 
Playaway suggests that you press the play button (just once – don’t hold down) to pause and then press the volume button. (It will start at the lowest level and volume can be increased from there.)

The numbers that show in the window are the minutes left to the end of the current chapter.  This is not a very useful number.  Much better would be how much time one has already listened to of the whole book, or how much time is left in the whole book. 
Playaway hopes to include the time already listened to for the whole book and time remaining for the whole book on the back panel display in upcoming “Generation 1.5” (or “Generation 2”) modifications that are now being developed. 

When you turn the device off, then turn it back on, it picks up about 45 seconds or so prior to where it left off.  Some overlap is nice, but this seems excessively long.
Playaway suggests that you push fast forward (just once) – which will advance the program 15 seconds and cut down on the overlap time. 

The battery compartment is very hard to open.
Playaway is working to improve the unit design to make it easier to open the battery cover. 

How can bookmarks be erased?
Bookmarks must be removed individually.  There is no way to remove all bookmarks at once.  Playaway notes that the removal of all bookmarks before circulating to another patron is not necessary because bookmarks do not negatively affect the listening experience of the next patron.  Bookmarks do NOT need to be set if a patron simply wants the Playaway to remember where it last left off.

The book seems to be stuck on a chapter and keeps repeating the text.
This can happen if battery power is low.  Replacing the battery should fix this problem.

What should we do if a Playaway unit is defective?
Defective units can be returned for no-charge replacements but please double check the unit first to make certain that a fresh battery is being used, that the battery is inserted correctly and that all bookmarks have been erased.
Note the problem on a piece of paper (for example: “content not there”, “player skips”, etc.) and rubber band the note to the player.
Playaway warranties their units for free replacement for 1 year.
Defective units should be forwarded to CMS – Order for return to publisher with problem noted.

The recording sounds scratchy – like an old LP.
Most probably this is due to the ear phones being used.  Try listening with a different ear phone set. If there is still a problem, the player should be forwarded to CMS with a note.

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Last Updated: October 2, 2008