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What is an OverDrive MP3 Audiobook?

An OverDrive MP3 Audiobook is an audiobook that has been optimized for download. OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks are compatible with many different devices including many cell phones, PDAs, and most portable music devices.

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What is the OverDrive® Media Console™?

With an intuitive interface, OverDrive Media Console allows you to download and enjoy OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks on most Windows® and Mac® computers. Use OverDrive Media Console to navigate, play, and bookmark OverDrive media titles, and to manage and customize your media library. OverDrive Media Console includes a built-in Transfer Wizard that allows you to transfer titles to your supported portable player in just a few clicks. For audiobooks that may be burned to CD, OverDrive Media Console includes a Burn Wizard that allows you to burn a title to CD without installing any extra software. Note that OverDrive Media Console for Mac supports OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks only.

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What are the features of OverDrive Media Console?

Features of OverDrive Media Console include:

  • Multi-part download management...

    OverDrive media titles are often divided into 'Parts' in order to make downloading quick and easy. OverDrive Media Console allows you the flexibility to specify Parts for download. This enables you to begin using a title as soon as a Part has finished downloading, and return to download the remaining Parts later. Alternatively, if only a given Part of a file is of interest, you can simply download that desired Part.

  • Media library management...

    OverDrive Media Console automatically creates, maintains, and displays a comprehensive library of downloaded media in a logical folder hierarchy. As titles are added to your collection, they are automatically moved into the appropriate folder(s). The organization system is also customizable, allowing you to create and name new folders to suit your needs. Within each folder, titles can be sorted by title, creator, date acquired, expiration date (when applicable), and date last played. If a title expires, OverDrive Media Console will prompt you to delete the unusable file from your library, allowing you to keep your media collection tidy and up-to-date.

  • Navigation of titles with MediaMarkers™...

    Most OverDrive media titles are divided into Parts, and Parts are then sub-divided into logical sections (such as chapters, for audiobooks). The beginning points of these logical sections are MediaMarkers, which are displayed as hyperlinks. When you click on a 'Part', the MediaMarkers associated with that Part are displayed in the right-hand portion of the 'OverDrive Media Explorer' window. Simply click on a MediaMarker to jump directly to, and begin play at, the desired section of a title. OverDrive Media Console also includes the conveniences of skipping back 15 seconds and advancing to the point furthest played.

  • Easy transfer of titles to portable devices for listening on-the-go...

    OverDrive Media Console includes a built-in Transfer Wizard that allows you to transfer titles to supported portable devices in just a few clicks.

  • Burn audio files to CD (where permitted by the publisher)...

    OverDrive Media Console includes a built-in Burn Wizard that allows you to burn audiobooks to CD (where permitted by the publisher); everything you need is simply and easily incorporated into OverDrive Media Console.

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What are the accessibility features of OverDrive Media Console?

OverDrive Media Console was designed with accessibility in mind. It has been tested with the most popular screen reader applications and includes shortcut keys for the most common commands. To read the OverDrive Media Console Accessibility Guide, which includes instructions for using OverDrive Media Console and a list of available shortcut keys, click here.

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How can I get a copy of OverDrive Media Console?

To review system requirements and download OverDrive Media Console, click here.

Note that upgrading or uninstalling OverDrive Media Console will not affect any content that you have previously downloaded; all items in your 'Media Library' will be maintained through either process.

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How much does OverDrive Media Console cost?

OverDrive Media Console is a free download. To download OverDrive Media Console, click here.

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On what operating systems does OverDrive Media Console run?

OverDrive Media Console supports the following operating systems:

  • Mac OS® 10.4.9 (or newer)
    Note that OverDrive Media Console for Mac supports OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks only.
  • Microsoft® Windows Vista®
  • Microsoft Windows XP
  • Microsoft Windows 2000
  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (ME)
  • Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition (SE)

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What other software do I need in order to use OverDrive Media Console?

On Mac…

To use OverDrive Media Console for Mac you will need to have Apple iTunes v7.6.2.9 (or newer) and QuickTime v7.4.5 (or newer) installed.

Note that OverDrive Media Console for Mac supports OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks only, and transfers titles to Apple devices only.

On Windows…

To use OverDrive Media Console on Windows, you will need to have Windows Media Player 9 Series (or newer) installed.

If you wish to transfer OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to an Apple device, you will need to have iTunes v7.6.2.9 (or newer) and QuickTime v7.4.5 (or newer) installed.

If you wish to transfer OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to a Zune device using OverDrive Media Console Transfer Wizard, you must have OverDrive Media Console v3.1 (or newer), Zune application v3.0 (or newer), and Zune device firmware v3.0 (or newer) installed. Before you can transfer OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to a Zune using the OverDrive Media Console Transfer Wizard, you must close any program to which your Zune is connected.

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How can I get a copy of Windows Media Player?

Microsoft Windows Media Player is a free download. To download Windows Media Player, click here. Note that Windows Media Player 9 Series (or newer) is required in order to use OverDrive Media Console.

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How much does Windows Media Player cost?

Windows Media Player is a free download. To download Windows Media Player, click here.

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How can I get a copy of iTunes?

iTunes is a free download. To download iTunes, click here. Note that iTunes v7.6.2.9 (or newer) and QuickTime v7.4.5 (or newer) are required in order to transfer OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to an Apple device. You can download QuickTime as part of the iTunes download.

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How much does iTunes cost?

iTunes is a free download. To download iTunes, click here.

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How can I tell if I have iTunes v7.6.2.9 (or newer)?

To transfer OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to an Apple device, you need to have Apple iTunes v7.6.2.9 (or newer) installed.

To determine the version of iTunes you have installed...

On Mac…

Open iTunes and select iTunes > About iTunes.
The 'About iTunes' window is displayed.

The first line of scrolling text in the 'About iTunes' window lists the version of iTunes that is installed on your computer. If v7.6.2.9 (or newer) is installed, you have the correct version of iTunes installed. If an earlier version of iTunes is installed, you must download and install the latest version of iTunes. To download iTunes, click here.

On Windows…

Open iTunes and select Help > About iTunes.
The 'About iTunes' window is displayed.

The first line of scrolling text in the 'About iTunes' window lists the version of iTunes that is installed on your computer. If v7.6.2.9 (or newer) is installed, you have the correct version of iTunes installed. If an earlier version of iTunes is installed, you must download and install the latest version of iTunes. To download iTunes, click here.

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How can I get a copy of the Zune application?

The Zune application is a free download. To download the Zune application, click here.

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How much does the Zune application cost?

The Zune application is a free download. To download the Zune application, click here.

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How do I upgrade my Zune device firmware?

To update your Zune device firmware using the Zune application v3.0 (or newer)...

  1. Be sure that you have the Zune application v3.0 (or newer) installed. To download the Zune application, click here.
  2. Connect your Zune to your PC.
    The Zune application opens.
  3. In the Zune application, select 'Device'.
    The 'Device' screen is displayed.
  4. Select 'Settings'.
    The device settings are displayed.
  5. Select 'Device Update'.
    The 'Device Update' options are displayed. The Zune application indicates that an update is available.
  6. Click 'Install' to begin installation of the update.
    When the firmware update is complete, the 'Device Update' screen indicates that the 'Device is up to date.'

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Will upgrading OverDrive Media Console delete content I have previously downloaded?

Upgrading OverDrive Media Console will not affect any content that you have previously downloaded; all items in the 'Media Library' will be maintained through this process.

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Once I have checked out an OverDrive MP3 Audiobook, how do I download it?

  1. After the MP3 title has been checked out, click on the 'Download' button next to the cover image of the title.
    Depending on your operating system and settings, you may be prompted to open or save the file. If you choose to save the file, navigate to the saved file and double-click it. Otherwise, choose to open the file.
    OverDrive Media Console opens and the 'Get Media' dialog box is displayed.
  2. In the OverDrive Media Console 'Get Media' dialog box, leave the default file path or specify a download location. Click the 'OK' button.
    The 'Download' dialog box is displayed.
  3. In the 'Download' dialog box, choose which Part(s) you would like to download by placing a checkmark next to the desired Part(s), then click the 'OK' button.
    The 'Download' dialog box closes, and the file download begins. Download progress is displayed for each Part in the OverDrive Media Console Status Bar (when enabled, the status bar is displayed across the bottom of the OverDrive Media Console window).
  4. When the download is complete, click the 'Play' button to play the title.

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What is the difference between OverDrive WMA Audiobooks and OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks?

OverDrive WMA Audiobooks are digitally-protected audiobook titles available for download in the Windows Media Audio (WMA) format. OverDrive WMA Audiobooks are about half the file size of OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks but maintain the same level of audio quality. OverDrive WMA Audiobooks are generally compatible with portable devices that support DRM-protected WMA files encoded at a bit rate of 32kbps. For a list of supported devices, click here.

OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks are encoded at a bit rate of 64kbps and are available for download as MP3 files. OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks are compatible with many devices including most cell phones, PDAs, and MP3 players. If you wish to transfer audiobooks to an Apple device (iPod®, iPhone™, etc.) or other device that plays MP3 audio files but does not support DRM-protected WMA files, you must check out OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks.

Note that OverDrive Media Console for Mac supports OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks only, and transfers titles to Apple devices only.

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How do I download OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks using Firefox® on Windows®?

After checking out a title, click on the 'Download' button next to the cover image of the title. If prompted, choose option 'Open with', and browse to 'OverDrive Media Console'. To adjust your settings so that you do not have to repeat this step going forward, check the box next to 'Do this automatically for files like this from now on'.

Please note that the initial download is a small file; you download the actual audiobook file(s) from within OverDrive Media Console.

If you have already downloaded a file with Firefox and are unable to open it, complete the following steps:

If you have Firefox 3.0 (or newer)...

  1. Open Firefox.
  2. Go to Tools > Options.
    The 'Options' dialog box is displayed.
  3. Select 'Applications'.
    The 'Applications' options are displayed.
  4. Search for the 'ODM' file extension.
    The 'ODM file' content type is displayed.
  5. Click the 'Action' column drop down for the 'ODM file' entry and select 'Use Other...'
    The 'Select Helper Application' dialog box is displayed.
  6. In the 'Select Helper Application' dialog box, click the 'Browse' button and navigate to the location at which OverDrive Media Console is installed (by default the application is installed to C:\Program Files\OverDrive Media Console) and select 'MediaConsole.exe'.
  7. Click 'Open' in the 'Select Helper Application' dialog box.
    The 'Select Helper Application' dialog box closes. The 'Options' dialog box is displayed. The 'Action' column for the 'ODM file' entry displays 'Use OverDrive Media Console'.
  8. Click 'OK' to exit the 'Options' dialog box.
  9. Be sure you are connected to the Internet, and browse to the ODM file you were unable to open. Double-click the file.
    OverDrive Media Console launches and prompts you to download the title.

If you have Firefox 2.0…

  1. Open Firefox.
  2. Go to Tools > Options.
    The 'Options' dialog box is displayed.
  3. Select 'Content'.
    The 'Content' options are displayed.
  4. Under the 'File Types' heading, click the 'Manage…' button.
    The 'Download Actions' dialog box is displayed.
  5. Select the 'ODM' file extension and click the 'Change Action' button.
    The 'Change Action' dialog box is displayed.
  6. Select option 'Open them with this application'.
    The 'Select Helper Application' dialog box is displayed.
  7. In the 'Select Helper Application' dialog box, navigate to the location at which OverDrive Media Console is installed (by default the application is installed to C:\Program Files\OverDrive Media Console) and select 'MediaConsole.exe'.
  8. Click 'Open' in the 'Select Helper Application' dialog box.
    The 'Select Helper Application' dialog box closes.
  9. Click 'OK' in the 'Change Action' dialog box.
  10. Click 'Close' in the 'Download Actions' dialog box.
  11. Click 'OK' to exit the 'Options' dialog box.
  12. Be sure you are connected to the Internet and browse to the ODM file you were unable to open. Double-click the file.
    OverDrive Media Console launches and prompts you to download the title.

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How do I listen to an OverDrive MP3 Audiobook?

When the title has finished downloading, click the 'Play' button in OverDrive Media Console. The 'OverDrive Media Explorer™' window is displayed and the file begins playing.

If desired, you can navigate directly to a desired section of the audiobook. For ease of download and use, many OverDrive media titles are divided into Parts, and Parts are then divided into logical sections (such as chapters). The beginning points of these logical sections are MediaMarkers™. Click on the desired Part to display associated MediaMarkers. Click the desired MediaMarker to start play at that point in the file.

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I am only interested in one of the sections of the OverDrive MP3 Audiobook I downloaded. Can I just play that section?

You can navigate directly to a desired point in a title using 'Parts' and 'MediaMarkers'. For ease of download and use, OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks are divided into Parts, and Parts are then divided into logical sections (such as chapters). The beginning points of these logical sections are MediaMarkers.

To display Parts and MediaMarkers in OverDrive Media Console, click the 'Play' button. The 'OverDrive Media Explorer' window is displayed and the file begins playing. Parts are displayed on the left-hand side of the window, and the MediaMarkers for the selected Part are displayed on the right-hand side of the window.

Click on the desired Part to display associated MediaMarkers. Click the desired MediaMarker to start play at that point in the file.

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Where are OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks stored on my computer?

The default download location depends on which operating system you have. OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks are saved to the following locations by default…

On Mac…
Documents > My Media > MP3 Audiobooks

On Windows Vista…
Documents > My Media > MP3 Audiobooks

On Windows XP, Windows ME, Windows 2000, and Windows 98SE…
My Documents > My Media > MP3 Audiobooks

OverDrive Media Console allows you to modify this default location and save OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to an alternative location.

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To which devices can I transfer OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks?

The devices to which you can transfer OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks depend on which operating system you have.

If you intend to transfer OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to an Apple device on Mac or Windows, note the following…

  • iTunes v7.6.2.9 (or newer) and QuickTime v7.4.5 (or newer) are required.
  • If you intend to transfer MP3 titles to an iPod Shuffle™, you should be able to do so using iTunes. MP3 titles cannot be transferred to the Shuffle using the OverDrive Media Console Transfer Wizard.
  • If you want to use the OverDrive Media Console Transfer Wizard to transfer content to an Apple device other than the iPod Shuffle, the setting 'Manually manage music…' must be enabled in iTunes before you can complete the transfer. Adjust this setting as follows…
    1. Connect your device to your computer.
    2. If it does not launch automatically, open iTunes (v7.6.2.9 or newer).
    3. In iTunes, locate your device in the left vertical navigation panel (under heading 'DEVICES'), and click your device.
      The 'Summary' screen is displayed.
    4. If it is not already checked, place a checkmark next to option 'Manually manage music…'.
    5. Click the 'Apply' button.
      The iTunes 'Summary' screen refreshes, and your changes are saved.
    6. If desired, close iTunes.
  • If you intend to transfer OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to an Apple device on Windows, your device must be formatted for use with Microsoft Windows.

If you intend to transfer OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to a Zune device using OverDrive Media Console 3.1 (or newer), please note the following…

  • OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks can be transferred to the Zune using the Transfer Wizard in OverDrive Media Console v3.1 (or newer).
  • The Zune application v3.0 (or newer) must be installed.
  • The Zune device must have firmware v3.0 (or newer) installed.
  • Before you can transfer OverDrive Audiobooks to a Zune using the OverDrive Media Console Transfer Wizard, you must close any other program to which the Zune is connected.

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How do I transfer an OverDrive MP3 Audiobook to my portable device?

To transfer content to a supported device using OverDrive Media Console Transfer Wizard…

  1. Connect your portable player to your computer.
  2. In OverDrive Media Console, highlight the title you wish to transfer and click the 'Transfer' button.
    The OverDrive Media Console Transfer Wizard is displayed.
  3. Verify that the correct title is displayed on the first screen of the Transfer Wizard and click 'Next'.
    The Transfer Wizard searches for a connected portable device. When your device is detected the 'Confirm' screen is displayed.
  4. In the 'Confirm' dialog box, select the Part(s) you want to transfer by checking the box(es) next to the Part name(s).
  5. Click 'Next' to begin transferring the file(s) to your device.
    When the file transfer is complete, the Transfer Wizard displays a 'success' message.
  6. Click 'Finish' to exit the Transfer Wizard.
    You can disconnect your portable device and enjoy the title.

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How much free disk space do I need to have in order to transfer OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to my portable device?

OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks for OverDrive Media Console are delivered in Parts, with each Part generally not exceeding 36MB in size. As long as your portable device has at least 36MB of storage space you should be able to transfer a single Part or more to it at a time.

The Transfer Wizard alerts you if you do not have enough storage space on your device to accommodate the files that you are attempting to transfer. Depending on your portable player, the Transfer Wizard may allow you to delete files on your portable player in order to make room for the files you wish to transfer. This functionality is not available for Apple devices.

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Can I transfer OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to my Mac®-formatted Apple® device?

In order to transfer OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to Mac-formatted Apple devices, you must use OverDrive Media Console for Mac.

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How do I add OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to my iTunes Library?

You can browse to and drag OverDrive MP3 Audiobook files into the iTunes Library on Mac or Windows.

Alternatively, you can use iTunes to add titles to the iTunes Library. The steps taken to add titles to the iTunes Library vary by operating system…

On Mac…

  1. Open iTunes and go to File > Add to Library.
    The 'Add to Library' dialog box is displayed.
  2. Browse to Documents > My Media > MP3 Audiobooks > [Title of Book] to add the files for a specific title to iTunes, or browse to Documents > My Media > MP3 Audiobooks, to add files for all the titles you have acquired to iTunes.
  3. Click 'Open'.
    iTunes imports the OverDrive MP3 Audiobook files to the library. Once this process is complete, you can listen to the title(s) with iTunes and if desired, transfer to your Apple device.

On Windows…

  1. Open iTunes and go to File > Add Folder to Library.
    The 'Browse For Folder' dialog box is displayed.
  2. If you have Windows Vista, browse to Documents > My Media > MP3 Audiobooks > [Title of Book] to add the files for a specific title to iTunes, or browse to Documents > My Media > MP3 Audiobooks, to add files for all the titles you have acquired to iTunes.

    -or-

    If you have Windows XP, browse to My Documents > My Media > MP3 Audiobooks > [Title of Book] to add the files for a specific title to iTunes, or browse to My Documents > My Media > MP3 Audiobooks, to add files for all the titles you have acquired to iTunes.
  3. Click 'OK'.
    iTunes imports the OverDrive MP3 Audiobook files to the library. Once this process is complete, you can listen to the title(s) with iTunes and if desired, transfer to your Apple device.

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Can I use OverDrive MP3 Audiobook titles with my Palm® device?

OverDrive MP3 Audiobook titles can be played on Palm devices. You can transfer OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to your Palm using the same method that you currently use to synch files from your computer to your device.

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How do I burn an OverDrive MP3 Audiobook to CD using OverDrive Media Console?

The steps involved in burning an audiobook to CD using OverDrive Media Console vary according to the operating system you have installed.

  • If you have Windows 98 SE or Windows 2000, you will need to use Windows Media Player. To view instructions for Windows 98 SE or Windows 2000 and Windows Media Player 9, click here.

    -or-

  • If you have Mac OS or Windows XP (or newer), you can burn audiobooks to CD using the OverDrive Media Console Transfer Wizard. Burn a title to CD using Transfer Wizard as follows…

    1. Place a recordable CD into your recordable CD drive.

    2. In OverDrive Media Console, highlight the title you wish to burn and click the 'Burn' button.
      The OverDrive Media Console Burn Wizard is displayed.

    3. Verify that the correct title is displayed on the first screen of the Burn Wizard and click 'Next'.
      The 'Confirm' screen is displayed.

    4. In the 'Confirm' dialog box, select the Part(s) you want to burn by checking the box(es) next to the Part name(s).

    5. Click 'Next' to begin burning the file(s) to CD.
      The Progress screen is displayed. While you can click 'Cancel' at any point while the OverDrive Media Console 'prepares' the file, it is not possible to cancel the process once the file starts burning to CD.

    6. If you have selected more than one Part to burn to CD, the Burn Wizard will prompt you to enter a new CD as each Part finishes burning. When all Parts are successfully burned to CD, the Burn Wizard displays a 'Success' message.

    7. Click 'Finish' to exit the Burn Wizard.

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