[DECtalk] DECtalk Version Territory

hank smith hank at hanksmith.net
Sat Feb 26 16:00:52 EST 2005


I happen to like 4.61 and 5.0
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "GUI Access" <guiaccess at covad.net>
To: "DECtalk Discussions" <dectalk at jaybird.no-ip.info>
Sent: Saturday, February 26, 2005 12:09 PM
Subject: [DECtalk] DECtalk Version Territory


> Anyone know what version of DECtalk comes with Window-Eyes v4.5?  If 
> you dig through the access32.dll file that ships with Window-Eyes, 
> you find the following [very interesting] text:
> 
> SOFTWARE\GW Micro, Inc.\DECtalk-OEM\4.60\US
> Inc.\DECtalk\4.60\US
> 
> Is this really v4.60 of DECtalk?  If so then I'd like to ask the 
> following question in hopes that someone on the list will either (1) 
> know the answer or (2) know someone who might know the answer.
> 
> We all know [or we all should know] that DECtalk v4.61 was crap. 
> Anyone who has ever heard this incarnation of DECtalk knows how 
> ForceComputers butchered our beloved DECtalk beyond recognition. 
> I've always believed that v4.6 of DECtalk is where ForceComputers 
> took over and ruined the thing.  I have some version of a v4.6 
> updater that puts this horrible DECtalk software on my DECtalk 
> Express.  Bottom line is I have always believed all versions of v4.6 
> to suck, due to ForceComputers' "improvements."
> 
> I also believed that v5.0 of DECtalk is where Fonix took over and 
> attempted to make DECtalk sound more like the D.E.C. versions we all 
> know and love.  Take the DECtalk USB for example--its running some 
> version of v5.0 of the software.  While it doesn't sound 100% like 
> the D.E.C. DECtalk, it sure sounds a lot more like it than anything 
> ForceComputers ever put out.
> 
> For those following along, hang in there 'cause we're about at the 
> cusp of this message where I get to my question.
> 
> Anyone who has used Window-Eyes v4.5 with the included DECtalk Access 
> 32 knows that this version of DECtalk sounds remarkably like the 
> D.E.C. DECtalk.  Its not 100% the same--its rather like 98% the same. 
> Its closer than the DECtalk USB for example.
> 
> OK, so why does Window-Eyes' v4.5 of DECtalk contain version strings 
> to the effect of it being v4.60?  Is it possible that there is same 
> way in the v4.6 [or v5.0] versions of DECtalk to "turn off" the 
> improvements and revert the voice back to the original?
> 
> DECtalk v5.0 contains something called hlsyn which stands for 
> high-level synthesizer.  The hlsyn component translate 13 or so 
> high-level speech parameters into the 48 or so Klatt parameters 
> (klsyn) which is what was used in DECtalks prior to v5.0.
> 
> I suspect that there might be a way of disabling hlsyn in the newest 
> DECtalks to make them only use klsyn, and sound like the old D.E.C. 
> DECtalks.  Does anyone know how to do this?  I have not figured it 
> out yet.
> 
> So, the reason for this babbling is because I suspect that this is 
> exactly what Window-Eyes v4.5 is doing with its DECtalk Access 32. 
> All the pieces fit together, except for the missing piece which tells 
> you how to do it.  Can anyone fill in the missing piece?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> GUI Access
> 
> _______________________________________________
> DECtalk mailing list
> DECtalk at jaybird.no-ip.info
> http://jaybird.no-ip.info/mailman/listinfo/dectalk
> 
> 
>
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