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Glossary of Key Terms - Audiobooks
Abridged Audiobook
A professional abridger "edits" the work from the original text to encompass the essence of the story while maintaining characterizations, plot lines and style. Most abridgements are done with author approval. Just as many book-based movies do justice to the book while not including every single scene, so an abridgement strives for the same goal of staying true to the spirit and content of the book.
Audio Original/Audio Only/Spoken Word
Audiobook products derived from sources other than book content. These programs include dramatic readings, stand-up comedy, seminars, conversations, etc. that have no book counterpart.
Cassette
This format has been the most popular for audiobooks for the past two decades. Easy to use and with a wide install base, this technology still represents a significant piece of the audiobook market. A single cassette can hold more than 100 minutes of programming.
CD
The popularity of this format is steadily increasing. Most cars now come standard with these players and inexpensive adapters are available for cars without factory installed CD players. Red Book specifications indicate that a single disc can hold up to 74 minutes of digital audio material. This is why you will find in many cases the same program requires more CDs than cassettes. CDs can also be played on computers and CD/MP3 players.
CD ROM Disk or Mini-disk
These are sometimes included in audiobook packages to carry video and text if necessary or desired as added value.
Digital download/Audio Download--Audiobook content can be transmitted digitally in different compressions to compatible players or listened to directly from the computer.
MP3CD
An audiobook format for which an MP3 player is required, only some CD/DVD players can currently read this format. While this emerging technology still has a relatively small install base, MP3CDs can hold a large amount of audio material on a single CD.
Packaging
Audiobooks can come in trays, slides, jewel cases, sleeves, wallets and spined plastique books. Most audiobooks are shrink-wrapped and some have a mylar-seal. Outside boxes can be many different sizes due to the number of units inside and package design.
Unabridged Audiobook
The complete, unaltered work.
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