HumanWare released the Victor Reader Stream New Generation Version 4.1.6 on May 21, 2013. The update is available in the following ways: you can download the update file from the HumanWare Victor Reader Stream New Generation support website, you can use the HumanWare Companion software (the update service is located under the Help menu), or you can update wirelessly after the device is connected to a wireless network. The update to 4.1.6 includes several bug fixes and improvements, as well as the highly anticipated ability to play Audible audio books.
Bug Fixes and Improvements
The update includes many bug fixes and improvements. You can now raise the volume of your headphones to 20. If you create a temporary playlist on the Music Bookshelf and turn the device off while it is active, you will be returned to the temporary playlist when you turn your device on again. Using the HumanWare Companion software, you can now connect the Victor Reader Stream to static IP networks and HTTP proxy servers. The dialogue to do this is located under the Tools menu in the HumanWare Companion software.
The Victor Reader Stream has also seen several improvements to audio playback and the recording capability. The Victor Reader Stream previously had an issue where certain audio tracks would distort if the bass setting was raised to the max level in the Music Bookshelf. This issue has been corrected. Recordings made with the device have far less of a low whine in the background, and the sound of recordings is much clearer.
In addition to these improvements, the Victor Reader Stream supports two more pieces of peripheral hardware. One of these is the Swifty USB adaptive remote switch. The other is the Victor Reader CD Accessory. With the addition of the CD Accessory, the Stream can now play commercial audio CDs.
Audible Support
The greatest improvement made to the Victor Reader Stream software is its ability to play Audible audio books. Audible produces commercial audio books in digital format. Most books have some markup for sections, such as chapter headings. The Victor Reader Stream can play the Audible Format 4 and Enhanced Format books.
Adding and Playing Audible Books on the Victor Reader Stream
Use the Audible website to purchase Audible books, and the Audible Manager to download and add the books to the Victor Reader Stream. The Audible Manager software can be downloaded from the Audible Software webpage. When you install the software, it will prompt you to choose your device. The Victor Reader Stream is labeled "HumanWare Devices" in the device list. Once a book has been downloaded, you can add it to the Victor Reader Stream by opening the Applications menu and selecting "Send to Victor Reader Stream." You must have the Victor Reader Stream turned on and connected to the computer using the included USB cable. You can also locate the Audible title and copy it to the Audible folder of your Stream SD card directly using Windows Explorer.
Once you have added your book to the Victor Reader Stream, you can find it under the Audible Bookshelf. The book can either be navigated by the heading element or by a time interval. You can select the desired element (heading or time jump) using the 2 and 8 keys. You can then move by the selected element using the 4 and 6 keys. There is a minor issue when skipping by heading. You must wait until the audio begins to play to move to the next heading using the 6 key. Pressing the 6 key in quick succession will not advance by multiple headings.
The Bottom Line
HumanWare has released a solid update to the Stream. Several bugs were fixed successfully, and Audible support is very well implemented with only a minor issue. If you would like to know more about the Victor Reader Stream, please read the April 2013 AccessWorld review of the Victor Reader Stream New Generation.
Product Information
Product: Victor Reader Stream version 4.1.6
Price: Free update
Available From: HumanWare
Phone Number: 800-722-3393
