Text-To-Speech Freeware?

[siouxdax]

Hello all:
Does anyone know of a good text-to-speech freeware app? I sometimes find myself having a hard time concentrating when reading news articles online, and thought that maybe such a program would help...

As usual, any input is very much appreciated!

[Ampa]

Having tried many, I settled upon Balabolka.

It is free, regularly updated (though I must confess that I am not quite sure what changes each time!), there is a portable version, will follow along in the text, and export mp3s.

Note that the quality of output has a great deal to do with the voice pack you are using, Microsoft Sam will always sound rough, where the AT&T Natural Voices are probably the best quality, but are expensive and take a lot of space.

[lanux128]

you can also try Ultra Hal Text-to-Speech Reader. the freeware has only computerized voices while the paid version bundles the high-quality AT&T Natural Voices (as noted by Ampa).

• http://www.zabaware.com/reader/

[lanux128]

just found this thread which has much more recommendations in it..

• Searching for the best read-aloud software

[widgewunner]

Opera has native built-in voice. It will speak to you. You do need to go to Tools->Preferences->Advanced->Voice and turn it on (it requires an additional download that is not installed by default).

I use it all the time.

It can also listen, and do what you tell it to do! (although setting that up to work right is a bit tricky)

[siouxdax]

Thanks again for the suggestions! You guys never steer me wrong!

[sajman99]

Long ago I used a freeware named ReadPlease. Looks like it's now taken the commercial route at http://www.readplease.com but maybe an older free version is still out there.

[yutyrew]

You can use this freeware named panopreter, it reads text-based files such as txt, rtf, doc files and others,  and converts the speech into wave and mp3 files, all for free. It reads very well on my Windows Vista computer.

[brahman]

DSpeech by Dimio here:

http://dimio.altervista.org/eng/

as well as other neat tools (dtaskmanager, dshutdown ...).

[Jimdoria]

I've used Speakonia (http://www.cfs-technologies.com/home/?id=1.4) for this, but I'll take a look at some of these others, now that I know about them!

[eschen]

Maybe not as comfortable but pretty flexible with quality voices from the reasearch community and totally free is MaryTTS:

Online Demo

Download

It is based on Java. So, you need a Java runtime on your machine. The installation is done on the command line in the folder of the download by:

java -jar mary-standalone-install-3.6.0.jar

The installer allows to install additional voices for different languages on demand during installation.

This stuff is a real client-server solution. So, you have to start the server process before the client is started. But, this also allows to use it in a Web environment to create audio files on demand. I use it to create cost-free commercially usable TTS audio files for projects like this:

Snowman Joe (Details how to create this)

But, not all voices are allowed to use for this in the MaryTTS package. Have a look at the copyright notes for details.

[AHMalik]

Regards.
Text Aloud from nextup.com; offered free by giveawayoftheday.com is also a good SW & have the option for recorded vioces

Have a fine day !

[MilesAhead]

Opera has native built-in voice. It will speak to you. You do need to go to Tools->Preferences->Advanced->Voice and turn it on (it requires an additional download that is not installed by default).

I use it all the time.

It can also listen, and do what you tell it to do! (although setting that up to work right is a bit tricky)

Is there any shortcut to get to the reading aloud setup?  Everything in the help seems to bog down into controlling the browser with voice.  All I'm curious about is having it read the page(some pages the color contrast makes text almost invisible.)

It would be cool if I could do that instead of using Readability.

Edit: hmmm I wonder if this only works in XP?  Every time I click the checkbox to enable voice, it asks me to download the binary.  It downloads, then nothing happens.  If I check the option again, it asks to download again. Looks like yet another Vista-ism?

[Sarin Samuel]

The current best text to speech software is Text Speaker.  It has customizable pronunciation, reads anything on your screen, and it even has talking reminders.  It is great for learning languages as it highlights the words as they are being read. The bundled voices are well priced and sound very human.  Voices are available in English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, and more. Easily converts blogs, email, e-books, and more to MP3 or for listening instantly. 

[Curt]

^ Text Speaker has not been updated for 2½ years, and is certainly not free

[Ath]

The current best text to speech software is Text Speaker.

^ Text Speaker has not been updated for 2½ years, and is certainly not free

I did think about reporting that message as spam, as it sure looks like targeted advertising

[TomD101]

Hello all,

take a look at @Voice Aloud Reader. http://www.hyperionics.com/TtsPlus/index.asp
This app - available at Google Playstore - is a product of Hyperionics.com, the guy behind screen capture classic HyperSnap.

I did some translation for @Voice Aloud Reader, but do not use it myself. Others are quite impressed.
I won't go any further than throwing the name in the ring.

TomD101

[Deozaan]

I've used Speakonia (http://www.cfs-technologies.com/home/?id=1.4) for this, but I'll take a look at some of these others, now that I know about them!

I know this is a bit of an outdated recommendation from Jimdoria, but I downloaded Speakonia this past weekend planning to use it for my Ludum Dare 32 entry since it was recommended to me as a good TTS tool by someone unassociated with DC. The installer not only tried to install additional crapware, but it made an effort to confuse the user (me) into not being sure whether "OK" meant to install the crapware or to not install the crapware.

It was something really horrible, such as "Are you sure you don't want to install any crapware? Press OK to cancel."

I opened task manager, killed the process, and mentally added Speakonia to my malware/crapware list. For that reason alone, I can only strongly suggest you avoid Speakonia at all costs!

[MilesAhead]

It was something really horrible, such as "Are you sure you don't want to install any crapware? Press OK to cancel."

The person who wrote that must be the same guy who does the wording for voter referendums.  You have to oppose the initiative by voting Yes or vote in favor of it by selecting No etc..