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What is a 'device'?
The word 'device' is used in this case to refer to any portable MP3 or video player capable of playing protected Windows Media Audio and/or Windows Media Video files. Not all of these devices are supported by OverDrive Media Console or OverDrive Download Station. Please note that the words 'device', 'player', and 'portable player' are used interchangeably at this site.
For a list of compatible devices, click here.
For a list of incompatible devices, click here.
There are many kinds of devices available. How can I tell them apart?
You may consider first determining what you are looking for in a portable player, and what features you will expect a device to have. Some readers will want players to resume playing a file at the point at which it was playing when the player was powered off. Others will want to be able to bookmark their favorite locations in an audio file. There are indeed a wide variety of options available when shopping for a portable audio player. We suggest you contact the manufacturer of any player you are interested in purchasing to ensure that the device you are interested in has the features you want.
Additionally, devices can be classified by their capacity to hold media files as well as by the kind of storage technology they use. (2 items)
- Capacity - Measured in megabytes or gigabytes. As with any other computer storage measure, the larger the number the larger the amount of data the device will be able to hold. Common sizes range from 128MB to 30GB. A small device will be able to hold a few audiobook parts or music titles, while a device with a higher capacity will be able to hold many more titles. Higher storage capacity usually means higher price.
- Storage technology - Devices store information using either flash memory or a hard drive. Hard drive-equipped devices are able to hold more data while devices with flash memory are smaller and consume less power. Flash memory usually stores from 128MB to 2GB while hard drive devices are capable of storing 30GB or more.
Why can't I use my iPod with this service?
Our titles use DRM protection technology from Microsoft Corporation. Unfortunately the iPod and Mac do not currently support DRM-protected Windows Media Audio (WMA) files.
OverDrive, along with hundreds of online digital media providers, is hopeful that Apple and Microsoft can reach an agreement that would enable support for Microsoft-based DRM-protected materials on the iPod and Mac.
How can I determine if the device I own is compatible with OverDrive Media Console and/or OverDrive Download Station?
There are a few different ways to check the compatibility of your device. (3 items).
- If you have OverDrive Media Console installed...
Click here to download two 10 second DRM-protected sample files to OverDrive Media Console. Once the files have been downloaded, transfer the files to your device using the following instructions:
If you are using OverDrive Media Console v2.1…
- Connect your portable player to your computer.
- In OverDrive Media Console, highlight the test title(s) click the 'Transfer' button.
The OverDrive Media Console Transfer Wizard is displayed.
- Verify that the correct title is displayed on the first screen of the Transfer Wizard and click 'Next'.
The Transfer Wizard will search for a connected portable device.
If your device is detected the 'Confirm' screen is displayed.
If your device is not detected, the Transfer Wizard will display a message stating that 'no portable players could be found.'
- In the 'Confirm' dialog box, select the part(s) you want to transfer by checking the box(es) next to the part name(s).
- Click 'Next' to begin transferring the file(s) to your device.
When the file transfer is complete, the Transfer Wizard displays a 'success' message.
- Click 'Finish' to exit the Transfer Wizard.
You may now disconnect your portable device.
Note: If you are using a Pocket PC, OverDrive Media files must be transferred to a memory card. Be sure you have a memory card with sufficient memory space installed, and be sure to specify the memory card in the course of the transfer process.
If you are using OverDrive Media Console v1.x or 2.0 and Windows Media Player 9…
*Transferring files to a portable device is greatly simplified with the use of OverDrive Media Console v2.1. For more information, and to download the latest version of OverDrive Media Console, click here.
- In OverDrive Media Console, highlight the test title(s) and click the 'Transfer/burn' button.
Windows Media Player opens.
- Turn off skin mode, if necessary, and click the 'Copy to CD or Device' button.
The 'Copy to CD or Device' screen will appear.
- Select the part(s) you want transferred to the portable device by checking the box(es) next to the part name(s).
- Connect your portable media device and ensure that it is selected in the right hand pane of Windows Media Player.
- Click the 'Copy' button in the upper right hand corner of Windows Media Player to copy the part(s) to the portable device.
Windows Media Player will inspect and copy the file(s) to the device. This process should take less than a minute, depending on how many files you transfer. You may follow the Player's progress by monitoring the 'Status' field in Windows Media Player.
- When the transfer is complete, the status field in Windows Media Player will indicate 'Complete'.
You may now disconnect your portable device.
Note: If you are using a Pocket PC, OverDrive Media files must be transferred to a memory card. Be sure you have a memory card with sufficient memory space installed, and be sure to specify the memory card in the course of the transfer process.
If you are using OverDrive Media Console v1.x or 2.0 and Windows Media Player 10…
*Transferring files to a portable device is greatly simplified with the use of OverDrive Media Console v2.1. For more information, and to download the latest version of OverDrive Media Console, click here.
- In OverDrive Media Console, highlight the test title(s) and click the 'Transfer/burn' button.
Windows Media Player opens and begins playing the title(s).
- You may stop playback at this point if you choose. Click the 'Library' tab.
The Media Library will be displayed but the 'Now Playing List' should remain.
- Do one of the following:
If you wish to transfer all parts, ensure that your portable device is connected and click the 'Start Sync' button.
Windows Media Player will transfer the files to your device in the order that they appear in the 'Now Playing List'.
If you wish to transfer a specific part(s) to your device, you can remove parts from the Sync List. Click on the unwanted parts and press the 'Delete' key. Alternatively, you can right-click an unwanted part and select 'Remove from List' from the menu. When the Sync List is ready, ensure that your device is connected and click the 'Start Sync' button.
Windows Media Player begins to transfer the files to your device in the order that they appear in the 'Now Playing List'.
This process may take a few minutes. You can follow the Player's progress by monitoring the 'Status' field next to the part name in the Sync List.
- When the transfer is complete, the status field will indicate 'Complete'.
You can now disconnect your portable device.
Note: If you are using a Pocket PC, OverDrive Media files must be transferred to a memory card. Be sure you have a memory card with sufficient memory space installed, and be sure to specify the memory card in the course of the transfer process.
If you are using OverDrive Media Console v1.x or 2.0 and Windows Media Player 11…
*Transferring files to a portable device is greatly simplified with the use of OverDrive Media Console v2.1. For more information, and to download the latest version of OverDrive Media Console, click here.
- In OverDrive Media Console, highlight the test title(s) and click the 'Transfer/burn' button.
Windows Media Player opens and begins playing the title(s); do not stop playback.
- Click the 'Sync' tab.
- Select the 'Now Playing' list under the 'Playlists' heading on the left side of Windows Media Player.
- Select the part(s) you wish to transfer and drag them to the Sync list on the right side of Windows Media Player.
When the Sync List is ready, ensure that your device is connected and click the 'Start Sync' button.
Windows Media Player begins to transfer the files to your device in the order that they appear in the 'Sync List'.
This process may take a few minutes. You can follow the Player's progress by monitoring the 'Status' field next to the part name in the Sync List.
- When the transfer is complete, the status field will indicate 'Complete'.
You can now disconnect your portable device.
Note: If you are using a Pocket PC, OverDrive Media files must be transferred to a memory card. Be sure you have a memory card with sufficient memory space installed, and be sure to specify the memory card in the course of the transfer process.
Once you have successfully transferred the files to your device, disconnect your device and listen to the sample files. If the files play you will hear test messages, and this indicates that your device is compatible with OverDrive media. If you transfer the files but cannot hear the audio, your device is not compatible with our audio content.
- If your local library has OverDrive Download Station available...
At your local library, plug your device into the OverDrive Download Station and click on the 'Test My Device' link which should be prominently displayed on the computer's homepage. OverDrive Download Station will transfer a small audio file to your portable device. If the file plays you will hear a test message, and this means that your device is compatible with OverDrive media. If you transfer the file and cannot play the message, your device is not compatible with our service.
- Check our lists of compatible and incompatible devices
Though not comprehensive, we keep lists of devices that we have used in our testing. For a list of compatible devices, click here. For a list of incompatible devices, click here.
Why are some devices supported while others are not?
There are several reasons why a device might not support OverDrive media:
- General (2 items):
- Encoding bit rate - OverDrive audio files are encoded at 32kbps for audiobooks and 64kbps for music. If your device is not capable of either playing these bit rates or doing the necessary transcoding then your player might not be able to play back OverDrive media files.
- Support for secure Windows Media files - Many available MP3 devices are not capable of playing secure .wma files. If your device is not capable of playing files protected using Windows Media DRM, it will not be able to access the OverDrive media files.
- OverDrive Download Station (2 items):
- Device connectivity - OverDrive Download Station offers USB cables to connect your device, but some devices use proprietary or nonstandard connectors. If the download station in your library has free USB ports available, you may be able to bring your proprietary USB connector with you in order to transfer files in the library. Please ask your library staff about connecting your device using your own cable.
- Proprietary software - Some devices require software to be installed on a computer before the device will work in conjunction with that computer. Though we have attempted to provide the broadest support possible, the software that your device requires might not be available in OverDrive Download Station.
What bit rates must my device support in order to play OverDrive Audiobooks and Music?
OverDrive audio files are encoded at 32kbps for audiobooks and 64kbps for music. If your device is not capable of either playing these bit rates or doing the necessary transcoding then your player might not be able to play back to OverDrive media files.
What can I do if my device is not supported?
If your device is not supported, visit your device manufacturer's web site and check for firmware updates. Sometimes updating the firmware will enable your device to play an expanded range of bit rates, which might fix the compatibility issue. Also, contact your device manufacturer and let them know that you are not able to use secure .wma files encoded at 32 kbps (audiobooks) and/or 64 kbps (music)--a solution may be available for your particular device.
What is 'firmware' and how do I update it on my device?
Firmware is the software stored on your portable device that makes it work. Manufacturers typically offer firmware updates that expand the functionality of devices. We suggest that owners of unsupported devices check their device manufacturer's web site for the latest available firmware updates. It is possible that such an update may provide support for DRM-protected Windows Media Audio files.
The method used to update devices will vary but generally an update is downloaded and run on your computer while your player is connected to it. Your computer will update the software on your device. Check your device documentation for specific instructions for updating your firmware.
Which devices do you recommend for use with your service?
OverDrive does not recommend any specific devices. We have tested a number of devices and have posted the results on our known compatible devices and known incompatible devices pages. We do not endorse any particular device, nor are we affiliated with any device manufacturer.
I've seen references to 'Certified for Windows Vista' and 'Plays For Sure' devices on other web sites. If I buy a 'Certified for Windows Vista' or 'Plays For Sure' device will it play OverDrive titles?
OverDrive's media content is not certified by either the 'Certified for Windows Vista' or the 'Plays For Sure' program. Many of the devices listed on the 'Certified for Windows Vista' web site will play OverDrive audio content, but some will not. Feel free to use either of these programs as a reference, but also ensure that your device can play audio files encoded at 32kbps for audiobooks, 64kbps for music, and 500kbps for video. We recommend that you check the OverDrive Device Resource Center for the most accurate information on supported devices for OverDrive content.
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