Audio Playback Devices
From SPARK
There are several types of devices available for playback of audio material. The most common are
- Cassette players
- CD players
- Solid State players
When choosing a suitable playback device, carefully consider the following questions:
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In what way will the player be used?
For creative access countries, privacy may be important, so the player should be discrete, and have a headphone option.
For predominantly oral cultures, the ability to play to a group is often important, so the player needs a good built-in amplifier and speaker, or the ability to connect to an external amplifier.
What power sources are available?
Consider whether mains power and batteries are readily available at a reasonable cost in the location. If using batteries, remember that volume of playback effects battery life.
Other options include:
- running from a car battery
- solar panels to drive the player or recharge batteries
- hand-wind players that generate their own power by turning a handle
Do you want the audio to be modifiable?
In some situations, it is good to have a fixed message on the device which cannot be altered by the user. Such a device can be used as an electronic tract, to be given away. These devices may have additional setup costs, and the need to order a number of identical players with the messages preloaded.
Alternatively, the ability to change the message gives flexibility on the field. Where the device is used predominantly by local Christians or missionaries, then having the message fixed may not be important, but the ability to add or change what's on the player expands the usefulness of the device.
Devices
- A durable, sealed, digital audio player.
- A rugged hand crank cassette player.
- Low cost MP3 players and player/recorders.
- A rugged hand wind MP3/WMA digital audio player.
- A low cost hand crank cassette player.
- A self-powered, digital playback unit used for reaching the poor and non-literate with God's Word in audio.
