Re: performance of DECTalk Access 32
- From: "Gary King" <w4wkz@xxxxxxxx>
- To: <jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2007 00:16:49 -0600
Both the DECtalk Express and DECtalk USB are external, hardware-based speech
synthesizers that are supported by JAWS. DECtalk Express connects to a
serial port. DECtalk USB can connect either to a serial port or to a USB
port. When connected to a serial port, JAWS will recognize the DECtalk USB
as a DECtalk Express. When connected to a USB port, it is installed as
DECtalk USB. The DECtalk Express is powered by an internal rechargeable
battery, not user replaceable. The DECtalk USB can be powered either by a
regular 9-volt battery or by the USB port. Both synthesizers have 9 voices
with the traditional DECtalk names. Unfortunately, the folks who programmed
the DECtalk USB did not have access to the speech algorithms used in
original DECtalk products. As a result the DECtalk USB has a different
reading cadence and different word pronunciations than the original DECtalk
line.
If you want a DECtalk Express, you will have to find one on the used market,
since they are no longer in production. If you want a DECtalk USB, you can
get one for $650, or probably a lot less from a dissatisfied user. By the
way, I'm keeping mine only because it comes in handy once in a while.
As a further note, DECtalk Access32, which is the speech synthesizer
mentioned in the subject line, sounds a lot more like the original DECtalk
Express or DECtalk PC than does the DECtalk USB.
Gary King
w4wkz@xxxxxxxx
----- Original Message -----
From: "Whitefang" <whitefang@xxxxxxx>
To: <jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007 10:05 PM
Subject: Re: performance of DECTalk Access 32
Hi List:
What is the difference between the DecTalk Express and the DecTalk USB?
Thank you!
Wayne
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary King" <w4wkz@xxxxxxxx>
To: <jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007 4:12 PM
Subject: Re: performance of DECTalk Access 32
Just don't ever purchase a DECtalk USB thinking it is going to sound like
either a DECtalk Express or DECtalk Access32. I only use my DECtalk USB
when it is absolutely necessary. It sounds like it was programmed by
someone who is not a native English speaker. It reminds me of some of the
readers I had in college a number of years ago.
I use DECtalk Access32 that I purchased from GW Micro most of the time for
reading EBooks, but I am trying out some of the RealSpeak voices that came
with JAWS 8.0.
Gary King
w4wkz@xxxxxxxx
----- Original Message -----
From: "Patricia" <bcsarah.fan@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007 1:11 PM
Subject: re: performance of DECTalk Access 32
I know that this is off topic now and I wanted to send it to the person
who
generated the e-mail but I don't se the e-mail address for this particular
person.
yes, I remember the DECTalk synth you are talking about, the DECTalk
PC/Express, where you had a card in the computer (much like your
soundcard
but it was specifically for DECTalk.) I used this synth up until I got
Windows XP and then had to find a DEC Express from somewhere. I've been
using DECTalk products since using JAWS (in 1996) because at that time
there was no Eloquence or Realspeak available. I remember when Eloquence
came out. smiles. I also had DEC Access on my laptop but this is the
first
time that I've used it in almost 7 years because I was told that it
wouldn't work with JFW 3.7. I've surprisingly gotten used to Eloquence
and
don't hate it as much as I used to, but after hours of studying it would
have been nice to have a DECTalk synth on my laptop last semester. the
thing that I would say about the performance of the DEC Access is that it
is quieter than Eloquence, and a little bit more robotic when compared to
the DEC Express, but I still like it nonetheless. also, when compared to
realspeak it is not sluggish at all (as I still find realspeak to be).
realspeak is okay when doing a say-all but for general navigation
Eloquence or DECTalk is much bettter.
Patricia
msn: bc_sarah_fan@xxxxxxxxxxx
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