Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by mkoerty

An introduction on text to voice technology

mkoerty — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 13:42:42 +0800

A computer system used for speech synthesis is called a speech computer or speech synthesizer, and can be implemented in software or hardware products. A text-to-speech (TTS) system converts normal language text into speech, the quality of a speech synthesizer is judged by its similarity to the human voice and by its ability to be understood clearly. Panopreter Basic is a text-to-speech and text-to-mp3 freeware program, it reads text files, rtf files, web pages and word documents with natural voices, it also converts these files into wave and mp3 files, so users can import the generated audio files to portable devices such as iPod and mp3 player, and listen to them while walking, jogging or commuting to work. A speech synthesis tool can be used as language learning tool, students can improve pronunciation and listening skills with it in language study.

Microsoft provide their text to speech voices on Windows operating systems. On Windows 8 or 8.1, there are three text to speech voices available: Microsoft David (US male), Zira (US female) and Hazel (UK female). On Windows 7 and Vista, the text to speech voice is Microsoft Anna (US female). On Windows XP, Microsoft Sam (US male) is the only text to speech voices. These are standard American or UK English, Microsoft provide voices in other languages too.

Favorite Internet Explorer toolbar

mkoerty — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 13:50:22 +0800

Nowadays there are many toolbars for Internet Explorer, some are toolbars with search engine functionality such as toolbars for Google and Yahoo, some toolbars are for free dictionary, some are anti-phishing service. I currently use Panopreter toolbar which can read out text on the web page, and convert the text to mp3 and wave audio files. Whenever I have to read a long story online, I enable the toolbar and listen to the speech by Microsoft Anna to avoid eyestrain.

Here is the toolbar screenshot:

Text-to-speech and text-t-audio software

mkoerty — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 19:02:39 +0800

The new Text-To-Speech voice engine Microsoft Anna is better than Microsoft Sam on the Windows XP, narrator on vista can speak more clearly. It's a good choice to use the Text-To-Speech softwares to protect our eyes.

Microsoft Text-To-Speech(TTS) voice engine has been installed by default on Windows 2000, XP, Vista, you can find what voice engines have been installed on the computer by following Control Panel->Speech->Speech Properties->Text To Speech tab->Voice selection drop down window. For example, the voice of Microsoft Sam has been installed by default on Windows XP, and Microsoft Anna on Vista/7, and the voice of Microsoft Anna is of good quality.

I have tried some text-to-speech softwares such as MS narrator and panopreter , I prefer panopreter, now I listen to files with it, it is an easy-to-use Text-To-Speech application, it also converts files into wave and mp3 audio files, when I listen to the audio files, my eyes feel better. I think it's better for it's free and powerful.

BY the way, Panoprete Basic is free and Panopreter Plus is trial version which includes panopreter toolbar for Internet Exlporer.

Text-To-Speech freewares

mkoerty — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:10:24 +0800

You can use Text-To-Speech softwares to read filse and doing so can protect eyes before the computer.

The new Text-To-Speech voice engine Microsoft Anna on vista is better than Microsoft Sam on the Windows XP, Microsoft Anna on vista speaks more clearly. It's a good choice to use the Text-To-Speech softwares to protect our eyes.

To find what voice engines are installed on you computer, following this:

Microsoft Text-To-Speech(TTS) voice engine has been installed by default on Windows 2000, XP, Vista, you can find what voice engines have been installed on the computer by following Control Panel->Speech->Speech Properties->Text To Speech tab->Voice selection drop down window. For example, the voice of Microsoft Sam has been installed by default on Windows XP, and Microsoft Anna on Vista, and the voice of Microsoft Anna is of good quality.

I have tried some text-to-speech softwares such as MS narrator and Panopreter , I prefer panopreter, now I listen to files with it, it is an easy-to-use tool which reads files, it also converts files into wave and mp3 files, when I listen to the audio files, my eyes feel better. I think it's better for it's free and powerful.