Category: Geeks r Us
Please forgive me for repeating things from other threads, but I'm oing it for those who haven't seen the others and so that this one makes more sense.
I found a site
http://www.ulva.com
that has the DECtalk Express with case but without charger for $20. So I e-mailed them to ask if I can use it with a standard charger and to find out if they could help me locate some other tech. But I noticed that they also have a complete Accent SA system with charger and manual for $59 plus batteries sold separately. I actually have one along with it's charger but was never able to get it to work properly with VocalEyes, even when it was plugged in and when I set the screen reader to use that synthesizer. It would turn on, announce itself and do nothing else. Does anyone here know if I need a driver for it or what's going on? Should I try ASAP or JAWS for DOS for better results or is it just shot? I also asked them if they could send me a sound sample so that I could decide between the Accent and the DECtalk. Speaking of which, does anyone know why there are serial adapters for the latter? Does it use a different type of connector than the standard RS-232, as in the case of the Braille Lites? What's the purpose of the data cable?
Then, I went to
http://www.rcsys.com/dt.htm
and found the DoubleTalk LT for $199. They also have the original DoubleTalk for the Apple II and the DoubleTalk PC (for $79). Would anyone be able to send me a sound sample of the DoubleTalk? I've only heard it maybe once.
For those who have used these synthesizers, how are they as far as speed, reading for long periods of time, reading punctuation like at the DOS prompt etc? I'm not one who goes super fast but I do care about inflection and ability to tolerate the synth for more than a short period of time. If it helps, I love the Michel voice in NVDA but can't stand the ESpeak that I downloaded for Klango. They sound totally different with regard to inflection. I also love the KeyNote Gold and can tolerate the Braille Blazer/Lite 2000 and even the Echo if I have to, though only as a last resort on that one. Microsoft Sam and the Klango ESpeak are my least favourite synths. Do the DECtalk and DoubleTalk need drivers or will they work when I set the screen reader to use them?
Personally out of all of those, I still like the double talk the best. IT's more robotic sounding than the dectalk, but... For some reason I just found it to be a better synth. I have one buried in a box somewhere, but as I'm going to be gone for a week, if you really want a sample out of me, you're going to have to remind me upon my return.
Wow! I'd sincerely appreciate that. I'll definitely ask you if none of the companies can help. I just wish I knew what on Earth was wrong with my Accent SA. Right now, it's in the attick. But it would be ashame to buy another if it actually works. If I remember correctly, it had a few different connector ports or things in the back of it aside from the usual serial and ac jack. It's been a few years since I've seen it so I could be wrong.