The best Text-to-Voice program

Discussion in 'General Chat' started by Rumata, Jun 11, 2011.

  1. #1
    Hello people,

    It's been forever since I last posted on DP..how is everybody doing?

    I'm looking for a good "text to voice/speech" program out there. Any suggestions? The quality of the voice is the primary priority.


    P.S. Any of old members out there? It saddens me how the forum format and design has changed...loved the old plain green design... is Shawn still around? Rob? AmitPatel..Wacko? I can't explain but thinking about good old days depresses me...
     
    Rumata, Jun 11, 2011 IP
  2. xInd

    xInd Notable Member

    Messages:
    2,025
    Likes Received:
    41
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    225
    Digital Goods:
    2
    #2
    I think Shawn has done pretty well with keeping the design almost the same while not looking like the 90's anymore. He's around regularly, I do think he went missing for a while a couple years back from on here but he's been actively working away on things and making improvements here. I haven't seen the others you mentioned in a little while but I think they're still here.

    Dragon I believe is the leading PC software for text to voice. Text to voice is where I got my start in the web/software and computer world, working for the family software company beta testing and packaging disks for mailing out as a kid. We had the first at home affordable solution for it back in the 90's. Listen2, Later renamed Listen95 when windows 95 came out. Looking at going voice with our main site soon here.
    Let me know more specifically what you're looking for and I might be more helpful, either that or let me finish my morning coffee. :)
     
    xInd, Jun 11, 2011 IP
  3. Rumata

    Rumata Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    150
    Likes Received:
    20
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    110
    #3
    Hey xInd!

    Thank you for a very informative answer. It is good to see that DP is still a nice and friendly community. I'll check out the Dragon now. I'll PM you more info regarding why I need it afterwards. In the meantime, enjoy your Sat. morning coffee ;)

    Thank you again,
    Rumata


    P.S. How do you give rep. points around here? It seems to have changed as well. :)
     
    Rumata, Jun 11, 2011 IP
  4. Digital_shubhi

    Digital_shubhi Illustrious Member

    Messages:
    11,524
    Likes Received:
    760
    Best Answers:
    12
    Trophy Points:
    405
    #4
    Use the star shaped button just below the post to give reputation to anyone - [​IMG]
     
    Digital_shubhi, Jun 11, 2011 IP
  5. Charlotte Jordan

    Charlotte Jordan Active Member

    Messages:
    44
    Likes Received:
    1
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    63
    #5
    I am loving Dragon Naturally Speaking. It requires 2 Megs of RAM which my pathetic netbook can't keep up with, but its a great program especially with my Anglo-American accent lol I think there is a free one that Windows offers as well.
     
    Charlotte Jordan, Jun 24, 2011 IP
  6. g36

    g36 Peon

    Messages:
    1,024
    Likes Received:
    5
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #6
    Since it's text to speech, you don't need dragon naturally speaking, because there are a lot of FREE text to speech software. Just browse in brothersoft.. Even windows has this software by default.
     
    g36, Jun 24, 2011 IP
  7. Rumata

    Rumata Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    150
    Likes Received:
    20
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    110
    #7
    Thank you guys! I know there are plenty of such software available online for free. But, the main issue here is the quality of the speech, that is something that doesn't sound like a damn robot. The voice must be as natural as possible.

    The other thing is resource consumption. The program must be compact and efficient enough to run with minimal resources, like on mobile devices.

    Thank you again!

    -Rumata
     
    Rumata, Jun 25, 2011 IP
  8. Kerosene

    Kerosene Alpha & Omega™ Staff

    Messages:
    11,366
    Likes Received:
    575
    Best Answers:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    385
    #8
    What exactly do you need to do with the output? If you just need to hear it, then ....
    1. Go to http://translate.google.com/
    2. Type something into the box
    3. Click "Listen"

    There's a limit to the amount of text it will read, but it might be useful.

    Also try out the AT&T Natural Voices demo: http://www2.research.att.com/~ttsweb/tts/demo.php
    Some of the voices are better than others, plus you can save a wav file *not for commercial use* :p
     
    Last edited: Jun 25, 2011
    Kerosene, Jun 25, 2011 IP
  9. skins4webs

    skins4webs Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    384
    Likes Received:
    12
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    128
    #9
    I run a Dragon Naturally Speaking website. And I'll be honest the voice to text isn't half as good as the text to voice. I tried it with a friend, to read a book online, and it was quite annoying. I don't know if other people have better experiences with it. As far as text to speech though, it's the best hands down, and makes your productivity way better.
     
    skins4webs, Jul 29, 2011 IP