Messages

16

Speech Technology / Re: Zabaware Text-to-Speech Reader Beta

« on: March 04, 2014, 04:08:00 am »

 CereProc voice install went flawless, it also detected that I already had Zabaware TTS Reader installed and installed the voice as an add-on.

voices ~do not~ show up in Ultra Hal 6.2, Balabolka TTS, Ivona Reader, nor Ivona miniReader

todays findings:
1. Display text and progress bar at times especially with larger amount of text can get out of synch.
2. ~I think~ I found a bug while saving to a sound file, Let me explain below.

I pasted text into text field and had the TTS read it to me, then I deleted the text. I then copied new text to the clipboard this time and had TTS read it to me. I then clicked
File / Convert text into Wave audio file
I played the saved audio file and it was not audio of clipboards text, but of previous text that was within text field.

3. Cloads finding still ongoing

If you try to make a way file with the text above you will see that it will only record:
see Jane run after the dog and the cat.

That is because the tax is separated by a hard return.

also note: if only a portion of text is selected (say 2nd paragraph only out of 3 paragraphs total) and read then saved to an audio file, none of the selected 2nd paragraphs text gets recorded just the last/3rd paragraph.

Program feature suggestion:
allow reading and recording  to start from courser placement. after I place text within text field I might have already had time to read first sentence or paragraph and might only want reading or recording to start from second paragraph or sentnce.

17

Speech Technology / Re: Zabaware Text-to-Speech Reader Beta

« on: March 04, 2014, 03:00:51 am »

downloaded and installed Ivona, ran across no issues using Emma's voice from Ivona

Did the problems you mention only occur if you used a different voice? May I ask what voice you used that caused issues?

note: ran across ~no~ issues using Emma's voice from Ivona
however:
the issue within 1, 2 and 3 in my previous post was immediately after install, and was during fist test of the program ~before~ installing Ivona voice or Appling any settings.
After I was able to restart the TTS program issue 1, 2, and 3 went away.

for info on Ivona voice http://www.ivona.com/us/products/voice-emma/

I sent you a PM with a link to the CereProc voice along with a licence key

Thanks I will check it out, and report in a lil bit.
note: I have not tried saving to a sound file yet, I'll get to that as well.

18

Speech Technology / Re: Zabaware Text-to-Speech Reader Beta

« on: March 03, 2014, 01:46:57 am »

Thanks, I found the cause of this and fixed it. I posted an update at

confirmed, no errors here.

1. pasted text in text field and clicked pause/stop and there was no way to resume, "read selection" and "read all" are greyed out. unless I selected text which un-greys out "read Selection"

2. pasted text in text field and clicked pause/stop (no way to resume) copied new text to clipboard, and program did not start reading out load. So I pasted that text within the clipboard and both buttons still remain greyed out (until I select the text in text field). However after pressing "read selection" it will not read it, program frozen perhaps.

edit 1: 3. I closed out of the program and exited the progam from system tray, now it will not start back up for I get this system message

An instance of Zabaware TTs Reader is already running, a second instance cannot be started. an attempt to communicate with the original instance has failed. If the previous instance is unresponsive you may have to end the Zabaware.exe process manually using the Windows task manager (ctr - alt - del).

double checked system tray and program was not showing it was running. opened task manager and ended the task ZabaReader (32 bit) , and was then able to re-open beta program

4. I close out of program and exit from tray, opened program without no issues of instance running already.

5. copy text to clipboard, program starts reading, I click "stop/pause" no way to resume.
6. I paste text in text field and play text, then click "play/pause" w8 a few seconds and click continue and it starts reading where it left off 

end edit 1

I do like now being able to choose a voice and new text display and progress bar feature. 2x [thumbs up]
I will try to get my Ivona voice downloaded and installed tonight and edit this post to let you know how that went.

edit 2:
downloaded and installed Ivona, ran across no issues using Emma's voice from Ivona
end edit 2

19

Speech Technology / Re: Zabaware Text-to-Speech Reader Beta

« on: March 02, 2014, 11:02:20 pm »

Would you like to test it with a CereProc voice? I can send you a PM with a license key for it if you would like.

sure I could do that for you, Is there anything in particular your looking for me to test with the voice? also are you looking for some opinions/suggestions on the beta program itself?

20

Speech Technology / Re: Zabaware Text-to-Speech Reader Beta

« on: March 01, 2014, 09:25:31 pm »

every feature I tested so far worked except which I stated in first post. I'll play with it some more over the next couple of days.

However I would mention that the program intertwines with "ease of access" verbal prompts.
examples:
When I click close on internet explorer and I have more than one tab open, the male voice from the beta programs voice states "do you want to close all tabs or the current tab". Also if I go to close the program via system tray it ask "are you sure you want to close this program".

once the program is shut down, ease of access verbal prompts go away.

21

General Discussion / Re: 0ne drive by microsoft notice i received by email

« on: March 01, 2014, 07:18:06 pm »

have not been around for about 2 weeks but I got the e-mail as well.
they are changing there name due to a law suite from across the pond by a cable company I believe, named Sky.

22

Speech Technology / Re: Zabaware Text-to-Speech Reader Beta

« on: March 01, 2014, 06:44:21 pm »

I did not realize you was on Mr. Medeksza till now, I corrected misspellings and added a small update. Sorry if it caused any inconvenience for ya.

23

Speech Technology / Re: Zabaware Text-to-Speech Reader Beta

« on: March 01, 2014, 06:18:11 pm »

System info:
os = windows 8.1 pro 64bit
cpu = i7-3770k
gpu  = NVidia GeForce 670 ftw (4gb)
ram = 16 gb corsair
ssd = ocz vertex4
virus and firewall software: Microsoft Windows defender

I downloaded beta program from the link within your last post

first notification after clicking install:

"windows Smartscreen prevented an unrecognized app from starting. Running this app might put your pc at risk"
publisher: unknown Publisher
app ReaderSetupBeta.exe

I clicked run anyway.

I chose run program and install desktop icon. program started up and I got this error as soon as the program opened.

Error 9:
Subscript out of range
Occurred at line 5
in Zabaware Text-To-Speech: frmRightClick.LoadSynthesis

3 options where presented within error crome window: About ,retry, and close. I chose "about" and error crome window closed with no further pop up.

I selected text from a website, right clicked and chose copy. Program automatically read selected text in a males voice.

I looked for a way to change voice and saw no option.

I then started/opened Ultra Hal from system tray.  and I herd same males voice state

syntax Query

I typed hello in Ultra Hals window and Hals female voice (Microsoft Zira) was still being used by Ultra Hal

note: at this time I do not have my Ivona voice installed yet, but would love to test Ivona voice out for ya once installed if there is a way to change voices.

I'll try out other features of the beta program later tonight and try to report back tonight if it does not get too late. If not I will report back tomorrow.

edit: small update
still stock settings
I pasted text within text area and clicked "read all"
I clicked stop/pause half way though article then clicked continue. Program started reading out load from the beginning, not where I paused it.

I then tried having Beta program read from copied text and clicked stop/pause waited a second or two then clicked continue and I got nothing. program did not stat reading from where it left off nor from the beginning.

24

General Discussion / Re: Just wante to say...

« on: November 28, 2013, 06:39:49 pm »

Happy Turkey Day all.

25

Programming using the Ultra Hal Brain Editor / Re: Home automation

« on: November 26, 2013, 04:25:34 pm »

Sorry for late reply, but I been away from pc due to a hip surgery.

I'm not really sure if it is possible to use Hal while minimized. I have tried to get Hal to run within a windows shell via a front end called "Road Runner" now called "Ride Runner".
However I was not 100% successful

26

Programming using the Ultra Hal Brain Editor / Re: Home automation

« on: October 18, 2013, 03:16:29 pm »

Grimsey1986 Sorry I have not been here in a while. But if you still need to know, Hal does work on windows 8

27

Share Conversations, Experiences, Graphics / Re: HAPPY HALLOWEEN

« on: October 18, 2013, 03:09:02 pm »

great job Duskrider, Sandy looks ready to have a frighting good time this Holloween. Happy Halloween all 

28

Ultra Hal 7.0 / Re: Hal graphics work

« on: August 18, 2013, 03:55:10 pm »

Last night I did some investigating myself and also a virus scan through-out the night using Windows Defender and found out I had a virus Exploit:Java/CVE-2013-0422 and Java for IE was disabled.
I removed the virus and re-enabled Java. Now that I re-enabled Java Hals mouth does not move nor do I get any vocals from him.
I do have Flash, and a few others So I took a screen shot of all my IE browser add-ons and the console as requested.

29

Ultra Hal 7.0 / Re: Hal graphics work

« on: August 17, 2013, 03:09:04 am »

Could you try it again and see if it works for you? What version of IE and Windows are you using? Also try hitting F5 to force refresh of all javascript as I've been changing it often and your cache might be old.

Sorry Robert I was not around and did not get an e-mail notification that you posted
I just tried again after clicking f5 and I still get the same results, no sound but constant mouth movement after user input sent.

I'm using internet explorer10
version 10.0.9200.16635
update versions: 10.0.7 (KB2846071)

PC specs and OS specs are in the screenshot below

UPDATE: I just tried on my wifes computer which also has windows 8 Pro and the same version of IE and it works as it suppose to, Maybe something is wrong with Java on my end (insert scratchhead smiley)

30

Ultra Hal 7.0 / Re: Hal graphics work

« on: August 10, 2013, 01:07:00 am »

Great job on the new avatar and background.

you probably already know this but if not:
The voice does not work in latest IE browser, and mouth animation continuously loops, however it does work perfect in the latest firefox browser.

also you might want to note:
quote from website homepage

Hi there. Welcome to Zabaware. My name's Hal.

But Hal seems to think differently :O
user: what is your name?
Hal: you can call me zaba.
user: I thought your name was Hal?
Hal: Oh my name is hanna.
user: no! your name is Hal.
Hal: Server response error
I think I confused him