Bit rate - A measure of the quantity of audio and/or video data transferred from your device's memory to its audio and or video decoder. Different devices support different ranges of bit rates. Some devices are able to convert unsupported bit rates to supported bit rates, a process called 'transcoding'.

Bookmarks - Specific locations in an audio file, created by the user and stored for later retrieval.

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 128 MB to 40 GB. A small device will be able to hold a few audiobook 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 as well.

Decoder - Part of a computer program that converts a specific computer file into information that can be played by a computer or device as audio, video, or both. Windows Media Player has all the necessary decoders to play OverDrive media files. Some portable devices come with decoders that do not support the bit rates in which OverDrive media files are encoded.

Device - A portable video or audio player to which you can transfer files for listening or viewing.

MediaMarkers™ - Each OverDrive media file is divided into logical sections, such as chapters. MediaMarkers are hyperlinks that will take you to, and let you begin play at, a desired point in a title.

Mini USB - Type of USB connector present on many smaller portable audio devices. Used to connect the device to a computer so that files may be transferred to the device.

Mobile version - This term is used to describe OverDrive video files that have been specially prepared to be transferred to portable devices. These files have the necessary resolution to satisfy the needs of portable device users without downloading unnecessarily large files, which can result in longer synchronization times.

MP3 - Popular compressed audio file that can be played on most portable devices.

OverDrive Download Station - OverDrive Download Station Software enables public Internet PCs to become self-service download stations for audiobooks and music in the library. This Windows-based application lets users download DRM-protected OverDrive media and transfer directly to their supported MP3/WMA players.

OverDrive Media Console - OverDrive Media Console is free software that lets you download and enjoy audiobooks in WMA and MP3 formats, music in WMA format, and video in WMV format. OverDrive Media Console also allows you to burn CDs of your audiobooks and music (where permitted by the publisher) for use in your car, home stereo, or portable CD player. OverDrive Media Console grants you the added functionality to transfer your audiobooks, music, and video to supported portable devices.

Part - Consisting of not more than 80 minutes of audio, Parts are the smallest downloadable component of an audiobook or music title. Titles longer than 80 minutes are delivered in multiple Parts which may be selectively downloaded to suit your audio device. For example, if your device has a small storage capacity, you may choose to transfer a single part to conserve storage space; if you have a large capacity device, you may decide to transfer the entire book to your device.

Please note that Parts are CD-length and may be burned to audio CD from your home computer using OverDrive Media Console (where permitted by the publisher).

Resolution - A measure of the number of pixels an image contains. In the case of video images, it is expressed in vertical 'X' [by] horizontal values. The higher these values are, the higher the resolution of the image. Mobile versions of OverDrive video files have smaller resolutions to make playing on a portable device easier.

Resume - To begin playing an audio or video from the point at which it was last played.

Standard USB - The most common type of USB connector. Standard USB is the method by which most portable audio devices are connected to computers.

Supported bit rate - The bit rate or rates for which a device is able to do the decoding process. If your device does not support the bit rate with which OverDrive encodes the media files and it is not capable of transcoding, it will not be able to play the file.

Transcoding - Process that some portable audio devices perform to convert audio files from an unsupported bit rate to a supported bit rate.

Universal Serial Bus (USB) - Designed to allow peripherals to be connected to a computer without the need for expansion cards, USB ports have become standard equipment in modern computers. Most portable audio devices are connected to a computer using USB. The two most common types of USB connections are standard and mini.

Unprotected WMA - A type of audio file compressed using the Windows Media Audio (.wma) technology. OverDrive uses DRM protected WMA for some audiobook and all music files.

Windows Media Player - Free software that is necessary to play OverDrive media files. Windows Media Player comes as a standard component with the Microsoft Windows operating system. Although there are versions of Windows Media Player for other operating systems, OverDrive media files can currently only be played on Windows and Pocket PC operating systems.

WMA (Windows Media Audio) - A format developed by Microsoft to distribute compressed audio over the Internet. This format is used by OverDrive because of its excellent audio quality, file size, and Digital Rights Management (DRM) capabilities.

WMV (Windows Media Video) - A format developed by Microsoft to distribute compressed video over the Internet. This format is used by OverDrive because of its quality, file sizes, and Digital Rights Management (DRM) capabilities.

If the information on this site does not answer your questions related to the use of portable devices when playing OverDrive media files, please contact us. Please include your device's brand and model, and specify if you were trying to transfer WMA or MP3 audiobooks, WMA music, or WMV video.

Also, we recommend that you visit your device manufacturer's website to check for firmware updates or documentation on compatibility issues.

This information on the Device Resource Center Websites ("Websites") represents the current view of OverDrive, Inc. ("OverDrive") on the issues discussed herein, as of the date of publication. The Websites contain information on devices that have been tested and/or have been reported to function with OverDrive products and services. Due to the wide variety of system configurations and continual introduction and update of new and existing devices, OverDrive cannot, and does not, guarantee that a specific device will work properly with your system. This information is for informational purposes only. OVERDRIVE MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY AS TO THE INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THESE WEBSITES. No part of the information contained on the Websites may be reproduced stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), or for any purpose, without the express written permission of OverDrive, Inc.