OverDrive Media Console App on a Kindle Fire 2

With the use of the Kindle App Store, it's easy to install the OverDrive Media Console mobile app on both the first and second generation Kindle Fires.

These screenshots were taken with a second generation Kindle Fire, but it should be similar with a first gen device.

Start your Kindle Fire (Fire) and connect to a local wireless network. Tap "Apps" at the top of the device to find the App Store. Search for "OverDrive Media Console."

(Click to enlarge any image...)

Select the OverDrive Media Console app, purchase the free app, download it, and open it when it has installed. 

Note that you will always see this notice after opening the app. (I have yet to find a way to make it truly disappear... 

Click on the small "Get Books" icon and add a library. 

Type in your New Hampshire ZIP code for your local member library and select the NH Downloadable Books Consortium. 

Sign into the site with your library card number. (Note that some libraries require additional login information such as a PIN or prefix. 

Tap the small "Menu" icon to start browsing. Note the large, blue button to narrow the search results down to available titles? (The light gray icon means the title is checked out.) Read more about finding available titles.

Narrow your search results down by format, if necessary. Note the rotating your device 90 degrees shows a left-sidebar to the site? This is a helpful way to browse the site. 

Once you have found a book you'd like to read, click borrow. 

This is a great example of why it's handle to be omni-formatted! In order to use the Kindle Book version of this book you'd have to download the Kindle Book file to your computer and transfer the file to your Kindle Fire with a USB cable. Why? This title is published by Penguin and they do not allow wireless transfers of their books in Kindle format. Learn how to transfer a Kindle Book using a computer and USB cable. 

This title can be read in either Kindle Book (with USB cable transfer) or in EPUB eBook format. Tap the "Download" button to select a format. 

You are now in your web-based Account Bookshelf. Learn more about your account. Select EPUB eBook. 

Confirm your selection.

At this time, the file is typically downloaded to the OverDrive Media Console's bookshelf and is ready to read in moments. However, it is necessary to authorize the app with a free Adobe ID the first time you use it. We are prompted to do so at this time. The next time you download a title, you will not have to do this. If you don't have a free Adobe ID, get an ID. 

Fill out this simple form. Double check your spelling! Write down your ID (email address) and password immediately. (Trust a librarian on this!) If you don't wish to receive emails from Adobe, deselect the check box. 

Fabulous! You now have an Adobe ID. 

Now you have to go back to the OverDrive Media Console app and authorize the app with your ID and password. Here's how to find it. Tap on the small settings button.

Enter your email address and password. Be sure to check your spelling! Tap "Authorize."

The app communicates with the Adobe server... When you see "Deauthorize," you're all set!

Go to the app's Bookshelf to see your book. Tap on the book cover to start reading the book.  

When you are reading the book and want to return the main menu, tap on the center of the screen and tap the small back arrow at the bottom of the screen. 

To return the title back to the collection prior to the end of your 7 or 14-day loan period, click on the small plus sign next to the title. 

The OverDrive Media Console mobile app can be used on most phones and tablet devices, including Androids, Apple devices, Blackberry, Nook Tablets, and Windows 7 phones and Surface tablets. 

Thanks for the use of your Kindle Fire, Di!

Installing the OverDrive Media Console on the Kindle Fire (UPDATE)

-- The newest version of the Kindle Fire software (6.2.1) may or may not allow you to install the OMC on the Kindle Fire. When I get the newest software update I'll work with this again.--

Why would you want to install the OverDrive Media Console (OMC) on your Kindle Fire when it already handles Kindle books loans from the library?

The OMC will also allow you to check out EPUB titles (not all of our eBooks are available in Kindle format right away) and download MP3 audiobooks to the Fire -- all from the Fire's mobile browser.

Here's how to get started: (Kindle Fire Software Version 6.2 ONLY)

First, the Kindle Fire is essentially an Android tablet with an Amazon wrapper to it. However, the tablet is a little more limited than other Android devices in that it does not have access to the Android Market where most apps can be found. Instead you'll have to get the app directly from OverDrive. Because the app is being obtained from somewhere other than the built in Amazon app store, you'll need to change an important setting (at least temporarily).

Allow Installations from Unknown Sources:

• Tap the small "Settings" button in the upper-right corner of the Fire's touch screen. (It looks like a little cog.)
• Tap "More."
• Tap "Device."
• Turn "on" the "Allow Installation of Applications From Unknown Sources." (The "on" should be in orange now.)

Perfect, without having that setting changed you wouldn't be able to download the app from OverDrive. 

Visit the OverDrive Website: 

http://overdrive.com/Software/omc/

Once there, select "Android" and look towards the bottom of the page to see the following link. 

• Click on the link and start downloading the app. 
• You'll notice a small "1" in the upper-left corner of your Fire's touch screen right next to [your name's] Fire. 
• Tap on that "1" to see the app's progress downloading. 
• Once it has finished downloading and installing, open the app. 
• Yea! 

Notes: 

• To read EPUB eBooks you'll need to register for a free Adobe ID (http://adobe.com) and authorize the OMC app with that email address and password. To find the Adobe registration area on the Fire, tap the small menu button at the bottom-center of the Fire's touch screen >> App Settings. 
• You'll use the Fire's web browser to visit the NHDB website (http://nh.lib.overdrive.com), log into your account, checkout an EPUB eBook or MP3 audiobook. Tap the "Download" button once the title is checked out and the app will take over. 
• You cannot use WMA audiobooks with the Kindle Fire. The WMA audiobooks have DRM (security) developed by Microsoft. The DRM requires Windows Media Player to unlock the security. There is no WMP on the Fire. 
• The EPUB eBook will expire in 14 days. The title can be returned early from the app itself. 
• The MP3 audiobooks expire in 7 days. The title will not be playable on the OMC app after 7 days. Audiobooks cannot be returned early. 

How to return the EPUB eBook early on the Fire's OverDrive Media Console: 

• From the "Home" screen of the Fire's OMC app (the one where you see all of the titles listed...)
• Tap and press on the title until a new menu pops up. 
• Tap "Delete."
• Tap "Return Then Delete." 
• That's all. The title will be returned to the collection and your account freed up for another eBook. 

The OverDrive Media Console App for iPad

The official OverDrive Media Console app for the iPad has just been released. The new app can be downloaded to your computer through iTunes or the App Store directly to your iPad.

To you lucky iPad users: Let us know how it works!

Troubleshooting Tip: Audiobook Files on Desktop

If the audiobook files are downloading to the desktop or being saved to any other location on the computer, consider taking the following steps:

• Check to see if the OverDrive Media Console was properly installed.
  
  • Can you see the green and white icon on the desktop?
  • Open the software.
  • If the software was not fully installed, install the software, including running the installation file.
  • When installing the software, be sure to install the software in the default location.

• As a precaution only, be sure the Windows Media Player Security Upgrade was done, too. (OMC >> Tools menu >> WMP Security Upgrade >> WMP opens >> Press Play >> Exit WMP >> Backup the license if prompted.)

• After checking out an audiobook from the Website, click on the "Download Book" button.
• Note: Always download the audiobook files to the recommended, default location! If this is the first time you're downloading a particular format of audiobook, you'll get a message like, "The default download location does not exist. Would you like to create it now?" Yes. Create the new folder(s).
• If using Firefox, OPEN the file with OMC. Do not save the file.
• If using Internet Explorer, open the file. (Some older versions of Internet Explorer don't have an "Open" option. If "Open" isn't an option, click "Save."
  
  • If the audiobook file tries to open with any other software other than the OMC (IE or WMP, for example), take the following steps to change the file association on a computer with XP:
    
    1. In My Computer or Windows Explorer, go to Tools >> Folder Options
    2. Select the 'File Types' tab.
    3. Scroll down to the 'ODM' file type.
    4. Make sure that the extension is set to open with OverDrive Media
       Console.
    5. If it is not, click the "Change" button and select OverDrive
       Media Console.
    6. Click 'OK' as needed to save the changes and exit the open windows.
    
    
  • Windows Vista (and Windows 7?) users can follow these instructions from Microsoft's Website.

• If the audiobook file opens correctly with the OMC but fails to completely download, follow these instructions to obtain the entire audiobook.

The OMC App for Apple Devices

It is possible to download MP3 audiobooks directly to an iPad, iPod Touch, or iPhone with the help of the OverDrive Media Console app. The app can be found in the iTunes store. Download and install the app the same way you install other apps to your device.

1. Open Safari to visit the mobile version of our site.
2. Visit: http://nh.lib.overdrive.com
3. The site should automatically default to the mobile site.
4. Click on the "Login" link.
5. Use the scrolling wheel to locate the name of your library. Note: you might need to know the name of your library, not just the town.
6. Enter your library card number and log in.
7. Note: If your library assigns very short numbers (less than 14 digits), please check with your librarian to see if your library was assigned a 4-digit prefix.
8. Click on the link to Browse for all MP3 fiction.
9. Unfortunately there is no way at present to browse only available MP3 audiobook titles.
10. When you find an available title you'd like to check out, add it to your cart.
11. Click on the "Proceed to Checkout" link.
12. Agree to the licensing.
13. Click "Confirm Checkout."
14. Click "Download."
15. The OMC app opens.
16. Click on the "Library" button at the bottom of your screen.
17. Click on the title. A message prompts you to download the parts.
18. Once the parts are downloaded, visit the "Library" again, click on the desired title, and start listening.

The OMC app will only manage MP3 audiobooks. To listen to WMA audiobooks, you'll need to connect your device to a PC to download and transfer WMA audiobooks to your Apple device. Remember the PC will need the following:

• OverDrive Media Console for Windows
• A current version of iTunes
• Be sure to perform the Windows Media Player Security Upgrade (Open OMC on your PC >> Tools Menu >> WMP Security Upgrade)

Downloading MP3 Audiobooks to an Android Phone

Thanks to a new OverDrive app (application), it's now possible to download MP3 audiobooks directly to your Droid phone. Please note that this phone cannot download or play the WMA audiobooks in our collection.

1. Using your phone's mobile browser, visit the OverDrive software download page.
2. Be sure the Mobile Client Android is selected.
3. Start the download.
4. After the software has been successfully installed to your phone, you may browse the OverDrive site, checkout a title, and download the audiobook.
5. (Note: I tried to download an MP3 audiobook directly after installing the software and received a message that the application had not been installed. However, after waiting a period of time, I was then able to download the title. If you see a "Download Book" button, you're good to go.)
6. After pressing the "Download Book" button, the Droid will automatically open the OverDrive app.
7. Once the OverDrive app opens, you'll see your audiobook in the app; however, there are no downloaded parts. You'll need to select an individual part to download or download all of the parts at once.

Installing the OMC on a Mac

Here is a quick demo of how to install the OverDrive Media Console on a Mac computer and check out MP3 audiobooks. It is not possible to download WMA (Windows Media Audio) audiobooks on a Mac.

As always, please leave a comment if you see anything that looks incorrect!

OverDrive Media Console For Macs

View more presentations from bibliotecaria.

NHDAB Training Handout

This is the handout for the librarian audiobooks workshop. This handout is for PC users.

Looking to become an audiobook guru?

Note: The Word version of the document lost some formatting upon upload. I'll have to convert to a PDF and upload it again in the near future...

Audiobook Class Handout Fall 2009 (Use this link to download the Word document.)


Audiobook Class Handout Fall 2009 (PC)

MP3 Audiobooks for Mac Users

This is the handout from the librarians' audiobooks workshop for learning to download MP3 audiobooks on a Mac. This handout includes information on installing the OverDrive Media Console.

This document has been revised! Please see the new handout from June 2011.

As always, please report any errors in the comments or email me directly.

Print or Save the PDF (2.1 MB): NH Downloadable Audiobooks for Mac Users - Oct09

NH Download Able Audiobooks for Mac Users - Oct09

Basic Audiobook Troubleshooting Tips

Install the free software:

You must install the OverDrive Media Console software prior to downloading your first audiobook. This free software manages your audiobook downloads and allows the WMA audiobooks to be opened and enjoyed on your PC.

Troubleshooting Tip:

Look at slide 24. If the patron is attempting to download the audiobook but does not get the option to open the file in the OMC, one of two errors is possible. First, perhaps the software was not completely installed. If someone is not use to installing software on a PC, they might think that downloading the installer means they have installed the OMC. They have not. They need to run the installer and the wizard to fully install the OMC.

Perform a Windows Media Player Security Upgrade:

In order to listen to the protected WMA (Windows Media Audio) audiobook files, you will need to obtain a small audio file via Windows Media Player.

Troubleshooting Tip:

This step only takes a moment to complete, but it is easy to overlook and tends to be the source of many initial problems in using the service. On occasion WMP is unable to obtain the security upgrade file. I have seen this happen more on PCs running the Vista operating system. Please have your patron follow the instructions on this page to manually obtain the upgrade.

http://tech.nhlibrary.org/2009/03/troubleshooting-wmp-upgrade/

Get a Library Card:

Obtain a library card and, if necessary, a library code to log into the service. If a prefix is assigned, do not put any spaces, dashes, or extra zeros between the prefix and your library number.

Troubleshooting Tip:

Be sure to tell your patron if they need to add a four or five-digit prefix to their card numbers. If newly issued numbers do not work, check your enrollment form to see the range of active numbers. If you’ve exceeded the range of numbers, contact NHSL to increase the range of patron numbers. New numbers can typically be activated by the next workday.

Listen on a Player:

The collection of popular WMA audiobooks can only be enjoyed on compatible players. Not any portable player can handle the protected WMA audiobooks. Find a list of approved players from the following Website.

http://www.overdrive.com/resources/drc/compatibledevices.aspx?format=WMA

Troubleshooting Tip:

The list of WMA and MP3 compatible players can be found at the bottom of the left sidebar on the audiobook site. Before purchasing a player for the library or for personal use, talk to other audiobook listeners and see which players they recommend. Typically, a player with the capability to resume playback or with a bookmarking feature is preferred.

Install iTunes, if you are using an iPod:

If you have both a PC and an iPod, you’ll need to install the free iTunes software in addition to the OMC. The iPod requires iTunes to transfer all of the content to the player.

Troubleshooting Tip:

Be sure that the iTunes software is up to date (from the Help menu >> Check for Updates). When transferring the WMA audiobook file to an iPod, the WMA file is converted to an iPod-friendly AAC file. This transfer can take quite a while to finish. The OMC software prompts the patron to change the iTunes import settings from “High Quality” to “Spoken Podcast.” Doing so will significantly reduce the transfer time.

Enjoy the Audiobooks on CD

Some of the audiobooks can be burned to CDs. Not all publishers allow their titles to be burned. View the Digital Rights Information at the bottom of each audiobook record to see if burning is permitted.

Troubleshooting Tip:

Be sure to use CD-Rs, not CD-RW, when burning audiobooks to CD. Many car stereos don’t have the ability to read the CD-RW disks. Be sure to use the OverDrive Media Console to burn the CDs. The OMC “Burn Wizard” was added to the software in one of the more recent upgrades. It is no longer necessary to use the WMP to burn CDs.

Downloading WMA and MP3 Audiobooks to a PC

This is a tutorial/presentation on downloading WMA audiobooks to a PC and transferring them to an iPod. This includes the installation of the OverDrive Media Console.

Take a look at this slideshow to see the complete steps necessary to enjoy the large collection of WMA audiobooks on your iPod (using a PC to download and transfer the audiobooks).

Using the OverDrive Media Console - Includes iPod Transfer

View more presentations from bibliotecaria.

Tutorial: Installing OMC on Macs

This presentation/tutorial covers downloading MP3 audiobooks to a Mac, installing the OverDrive Media Console, and transferring the MP3 audiobook to an iPod.

In preparation for offering the new MP3 audiobooks, I ran through the process of installing the OverDrive Media Console (OMC) software on my MacBook and transferring a title to my iPod. I took screenshots and notes of the process and created a little presentation. Even if you aren't a Mac or iPod user, take a look at the presentation to familiarize yourself with the process.

Notes:

• I'm a self-taught Mac and iPods user (aren't we all?), and I might do things a little different than normal. Sorry! Feel free to give me any tips you might have.
• I had a problem with OpenOffice.org interfering with the OverDrive audiobook files and that might have slightly screwed up how things work. I ended up uninstalling OpenOffice.org for the time being.
• I doubt that it's necessary to change the audiobook genre to spoken word to enable the resume playback feature, but it is nice to keep the audiobooks all together as one genre.

OverDrive Media Console For Macs

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Corrupt Audiobook Files

This post is part of an ongoing (but sporadic) effort to keep a record of possible troubleshooting problems and solutions.

Problem: Certain parts of a book are not downloading, but other parts were successfully downloaded. The parts that are not able to be downloaded are grayed out in the OMC.

Solution provided by the tech support team:

Please ask them to perform the following steps to remove the bad files of their Audiobook. Followed by the steps to clear their Temporary Internet Files and to re-download the files through OverDrive Media Console

To delete the possibly corrupt files, they can do so by following these steps.

• Go to your ‘[My] Documents’ folder.


• Navigate to \My Media\WMA Audiobooks\The Amulet of Samarkand…’\


• Delete the WMA files (if present) for the Parts that do not work.

To clear Temporary Internet Files in Internet Explorer, they can do so by following these steps:

• In Internet Explorer, go to Tools > Internet Options.


• On the 'General' tab, in the 'Temporary Internet Files' section, click the 'Delete Files' button.


• Check the 'Delete all offline content' checkbox.


• Click 'OK'.

Since some of the parts of the title downloaded, they should be able to continue the download of an audio title by using the ‘Download’ button within the OverDrive Media Console.