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1 |
What is
inside the Megavoice?
The Megavoice
unit is a water-proof case that consists of a chip containing a
digitally recorded message, a control panel and a speaker assembly.
It is simple and durable with no moving parts. |
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2 |
Could it
contain a recording of the whole Bible?
Yes. The
longer the length of the recorded message, the larger and more
expensive is the chip that is needed. At present shorter messages are
being used as the Megavoices being purchased by the Bible Society in
Northern Ireland will be going to people who will not be familiar
with the chronology of the Scriptures. In time, whole books of the
Bible eg a Gospel, or Luke plus Acts, or the full New Testament may
be produced. |
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3 |
Will the
Megavoice have the Bible in different languages?
During the
development phase samples of different languages have been used on
early Megavoices. The units being purchased by the Bible Society in
Northern Ireland will, like future purchases for other distribution
projects, contain recordings in the single language used by the
people who are to receive them. |
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4 |
Is
Megavoice available in Spanish, or Russian or Chitumbuka?
Not yet. In
time Megavoices may be produced in lots of single languages. Any
language, that has even a part of the Scriptures translated, could be
recorded and placed on a Megavoice. All that is needed is a good
reading voice and a good quality audio recording than can be
converted by computer into a digital file for placing on a Megavoice chip. |
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5 |
Is it
possible to buy a Megavoice?
Not yet. In
Northern Ireland we already have the privilege of the Scriptures in
print, audio cassette, audio CD, video, DVD and CD-Rom formats. It
seems right that we should first reach out to those who cannot read
so that they can listen to the Word of God using this new medium that
does not depend on the user having electricity, or batteries that
will need replacing, or expensive reproduction equipment. |
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6 |
How is the
Megavoice player powered?
The
re-chargeable battery inside may be fully re-charged by sunlight, or
(more slowly) by a spotlight shining on the solar panel. If
appropriate, in regions of infrequent sunlight, a DC jack enables it
to be re-charged directly by mains electricity. |
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7 |
What is
required to use a Megavoice player?
Nothing. It
has its own built-in speaker and renewable power supply. |
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8 |
Can more
than one person listen to a Megavoice?
Yes. Up to 30
people should be able to hear the Megavoice sitting around it. It
could also be connected to an external amplifier /speaker for larger
numbers. If required, a single listener can use the ear bud supplied
to listen privately. |
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9 |
What
potential uses are there for the Megavoice?
-
Megavoices
could be placed in residential or nursing homes in Northern Ireland,
with an English recording of Scripture, as they would be easier to
manage than large-print Bibles or other audio products.
- Other
messages applying Biblical principles to problems such as HIV/AIDS
could be recorded for free distribution in countries where this is a
serious issue.
- There are
lots of other applications for different communities, age-groups and
so on.
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10 |
Can it be
used by the blind?
Yes. The
control panel could have Braille symbols for a blind person or
someone with a visual disability to identify the buttons. |
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11 |
Can the
message on the Megavoice be altered or recorded over?
No. Unlike
audio cassettes, altering a message can only be achieved by using
specially encoded Megavoice equipment. The integrity of the message
is protected. |
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12 |
What
determines the cost of the Megavoice?
Principally
the quality of the voice recording and the size of the chip required
to hold it. Our Arabic project is using a high voice quality to
convey the Arabic readings accurately and clearly. |
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13 |
Will the
Megavoice become cheaper in future?
The price of
computer chips is likely to fall further in the future enabling units
to be produced more cheaply. |
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