Remote Control Unit
The remote control unit is a fully featured MP3 recorder and player in its own right.
Unique
to this device is the ability to interrupt play and broadcast music or
voice directly to the headsets, e.g. "5 mins till break time".
MP3
content on the remote control unit can also be transmitted to the
headsets as an alternative to syncing them on the docking station.
The
unit also has a record feature which means that children or teachers
can use an external or the built in microphone and record directly onto
the unit.
This content can subsequently be transmitted or synched to the headsets.
The MP3 line input also allows other devices such as a CD player to be linked directly with the unit and therefore headsets.
- Teacher can control play, pause and track selection on the headsets
- Unique broadcast feature - teacher can interrupt listening and speak to all headsets
- MP3 recorder / player
- Transmit content to headsets
- MP3 line input
- Battery life approx. 20 hours
The headphones and remote control unit contain 256Mb of Flash memory,
which is enough to store more than 2 hours of MP3 recordings.
MP3 Headphones
One of the main features of the MP3 headphones is the fact they are
wireless. This means children can listen to the content teachers have
uploaded to them anywhere in the classroom, or even outdoors; there is
no need for pupils to be tethered to a CD player, which can commonly be
the case. Not only do the headphones offer children freedom of location
whilst listening, they also provide children with the independence to
control what they are listening to using the buttons on the side of the
headphones (play next/previous track, pause track).
- Robust - the headphones are extremely robust; the headband can even be twisted without them breaking.
- Adjustable - suitable for the youngest children
right through to adults, the headphones are simply placed onto your head
and then pulled down to fit until they cover your ears. The action of
putting the headphones in place also triggers the headphones to switch
on automatically and play.
- Comfortable, replaceable ear cushions - Unlike
other headsets, the ear cushions on the Easi-Ears headphones are
difficult for children to pick and remove. However, should teachers wish
to replace them, spares are available to purchase. The cushions are
also of a substance that means they can be wiped clean for hygiene.
- Automatic pause - if the headphones are removed
whilst in use, the track will pause automatically for approx 20 mins,
enabling the child to return to the headphones and pick up where they
left off. If they are not used again after 20mins they will switch off
completely.
- Visual indication of modes -there are three
coloured LEDs on the headphones to indicate the state of use. This is
useful for the teacher so they can see what's happening whilst the
headphones are in use. For example, flashing red - needs recharging;
green - track is playing; flashing green - track is paused, amber -
signal being transmitted from the remote control unit.
- Rechargeable - the headphones are recharged through the docking station supplied.
- Capacity - the headphones and remote control unit
have the capacity to hold approx 2 hours MP3 recording time. This is a
substantial amount and more than adequate for classroom use.
- Battery life - approx 12 hours
Software
The Easi-Ears software is easy to use and enables you to add or
remove tracks on the headphones and remote control unit. To upload
content simple dock the headphones / remote control unit into the
docking station and connect the docking station to your PC via USB.
- Adding / deleting tracks - the software enables you
to navigate to MP3 files on your PC, through 'My Library'. From here
tracks can be selected and dragged into the 'My Playlist' box to create
individual playlists. Individual tracks or playlists can be added to
individual headsets, or a simple 'Copy to headsets' button enables you
to copy the same tracks to all six. Tracks are deleted by selecting then
dragging to the dust bin or right clicking on the mouse.
- Playing a track - Tracks can be played from within
the software by double clicking on it or by playing - through the play
panel. Useful before copying to headphones.
- Importing files - there are various tools within
the software that enable you to import files. This could be bringing in
MP3 files through the Library, importing files in a format that the
software then automatically converts to MP3, recording sounds directly
into the software (using a microphone) or ripping tracks from a CD, i.e.
copying the contents off a CD into MP3 format that can then be brought
into the software. This flexibility enables teachers to have a breadth
of options in terms of the audio content they wish to add to the
headphones.
- Converts files - imported files such as WAV and WMA
are automatically converted to MP3 (Easi-Ears preferred format); no
need to use separate file converter software first.
- Copy files from a CD - copy tracks from your favourite CDs into MP3 format for use on the headphones and remote control unit.
Site licence for Easi-Ears software included.
Minimum spec
The minimum system requirements for Easi-Ears software are:
- Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7
- 100MB free disk space
- At least 1GB memory