SpeakOn is self-voicing and is available in English only.
The Synthesizer Settings task enables you to select a synthesizer from those available. It can be started from the Manager Main menu. Go to the Main menu by pressing the 'Menu' [Alt] (9) key. Select the Global Settings > Synthesizer Settings menu item and the Synthesizer Settings task will start.
The Speech task contains only one control, the 'Available synthesizers' list control. This control displays all available synthesizers. By default these are eSpeak, Microsoft Speech API version 5 (SAPI5) and Microsoft Speech Platform (MSP). There is more information on the synthesizers available further down the page.
Navigate to the voice you want to select by pressing the 'Up' [up arrow] (8) or 'Down' [down arrow] (2) keys.
Press the 'Select' key to select a synthesizer you would like SpeakOn to use from now on. SpeakOn will ask you to wait while the synthesizer is loaded after which the synthesizer default voice speaks. Some synthesizers are loaded immediately; others may take up to 20 seconds. Note that the synthesizer you select does not become the permanent SpeakOn synthesizer until you confirm your selection in the Main menu as described below.
After you have selected the synthesizer you want, bring up the Main menu by pressing the 'Menu' key and select the 'OK' menu item to confirm your selection or the 'Cancel' menu item to cancel the operation. The Speech task ends and you are placed back in the Manager task.
SpeakOn is installed with the eSpeak synthesizer which speaks by default. In addition SpeakOn provides access to Microsoft speech API version 5 (SAPI5) and Microsoft speech platform (MSP).
The eSpeak synthesizer is installed together with SpeakOn and a variety of English voices are available.
With SAPI5, SpeakOn relies on SAPI5 voices already existing on your computer. SpeakOn does not come with any voices itself.
Microsoft Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 come with a SAPI5 voice installed as standard.
SpeakOn is supplied with two SAPI drivers. The standard SAPI5 driver is recommended for most voices as it has the best performance. This driver works well with many voices but some sound distorted. In this case an alternative common SAPI5 driver is provided (marked with the words 'common driver'). With this driver all voices should sound clear but the performance is not quite as good as the standard driver.
If accessible products are installed on your computer, it is probable that these include additional SAPI5 voices which would be available for SpeakOn to use. However note that some synthesizers are tied to the product they are included with and either do not appear in the available synthesizers list or appear on the list but do not work with other software such as SpeakOn.
Some SAPI5 voices are available for free to download from the Internet but in general, high quality voices need to be purchased.
MSP voices are only available for Windows Seven and Eight. A variety of English voices are available from the Microsoft website. Instructions for installing these voices are available
here
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