[DECtalk] dectalk sapi interface

Tue Mar 8 19:55:15 EST 2005

Hi,
As for Digital buying back DECtalk, well I don't think that's ever going to
happen since Digital no longer exists.  Probably one of the reasons DECtalk
was sold in the first place is that Compaq bought out Digital.  Then later,
HP bought out Compaq!  What a mess!
As for getting your Express's firmware version, there are two ways.  Both
methods require the unit to be hooked up to a serial port where you can use
that port via something like Hyper Terminal.  Also, don't have your screen
reader using the unit under test, use Elloquence or something else.  Select
the com port where the unit under test is connected.  Set it to 9600 baud, 8
data bits, 1 stop bit and no parity.  Now there are two things you can do.
1.  Turn on the unit.  At power-up, it will send a short startup message
over the serial port which will include the firmware version and I think the
firmware date.
2.  With the unit already powered up and with the volume set so you can hear
it, send it the following line:
[:version speak]
The unit will speak the version number and date.
I can provide instructions for downgrading an Express if you want.  I think
I have the firmware file and can send it to you.  Note that this procedure
is completely safe even on a Force Dectalk Express unit.  As far as I know
the actual hardware's the same, it's just the firmware that changed.  I
would not recommend doing anything like this on a USB unit.  I have no idea
what type of firmware they use but suspect it would be totally different.  I
think it even uses a faster processor than the Express.  If you could even
get the update performed which is rather doubtful, you'd probably just make
the unit unusable.
Jayson.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Nick Gawronski" <nick at nickgawronski.com>
To: "DECtalk Discussions" <dectalk at jaybird.no-ip.info>
Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2005 4:11 PM
Subject: Re: [DECtalk] dectalk sapi interface

> Hi, I would also like that sapi program as well.  I also use a dectalk
> express and was wondering how I can check what firmware it is running
> and how to downgrade if needed to get the good quality digital speech.
> Can I also downgrade a dectalk usb using the express firmware to make it
> sound like digitals version and why does digital not just buy back
> dectalk or gwmicro or one of the access companys who really knows what
> they are doing?  bye On Tue, 8 Mar 2005, Shaun Everiss wrote:
>
> > same here
> > At 10:26 a.m. 8/03/2005, you wrote:
> >> can you send me the sapi program off list that interfaces with dectalk?
> >> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Horspool, Matthew F."
<drjaws at blueyonder.co.uk>
> >> To: "DECtalk Discussions" <dectalk at jaybird.no-ip.info>
> >> Sent: Monday, March 07, 2005 1:16 PM
> >> Subject: Re: [DECtalk] dectalk sapi interface
> >>
> >>
> >>> Hi,
> >>>
> >>> I have a SAPI 4.0 interface program that interfaces with DECtalk as if
it were a SAPI synth.  Also, Dolphin SAM treats DECtalk
> >>> ACCESS32 as a SAPI Synth.  Wierd.
> >>>
> >>> Matthew
> >>>
> >>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "hank smith" <hank at hanksmith.net>
> >>> To: "DECtalk Discussions" <dectalk at jaybird.no-ip.info>
> >>> Sent: Sunday, March 06, 2005 7:31 PM
> >>> Subject: Re: [DECtalk] dectalk sapi interface
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> what programs are you talking about that make it speek?
> >>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Horspool, Matthew F."
<drjaws at blueyonder.co.uk>
> >>> To: "DECtalk Discussions" <dectalk at jaybird.no-ip.info>
> >>> Sent: Sunday, March 06, 2005 4:24 AM
> >>> Subject: Re: [DECtalk] dectalk sapi interface
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>> Hi Tony,
> >>>>
> >>>> DECtalk does not strictly have a SAPI Interface.  It has a tendency
to use
> >>>> SSIL.  However, I have seen certain SAPI4 compliant
> >>>> programs making DECtalk speak.
> >>>>
> >>>> Matthew
> >>>>
> >>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tony Baechler"
<tony at baechler.net>
> >>>> To: "DECtalk Discussions" <dectalk at jaybird.no-ip.info>
> >>>> Sent: Sunday, March 06, 2005 3:07 AM
> >>>> Subject: Re: [DECtalk] dectalk SAPI interface
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> Hi.  I thought I was clear on this before.  No, there is no such
thing as
> >>>> a
> >>>> SAPI interface, period.  It isn't likely to happen soon.  I have no
idea
> >>>> how much the full developer edition costs but probably more than most
> >>>> people want to pay.  Please do me a favour and don't ask about this
since
> >>>> there is no SAPI interface and probably never will be.  Corrections
> >>>> welcome
> >>>> of course, but my information comes from GW Micro.
> >>>>
> >>>> At 09:55 AM 3/5/2005 -0800, you wrote:
> >>>>> how much is that?
> >>>>> and is that SAPI compatible?
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> _______________________________________________
> >>>> DECtalk mailing list
> >>>> DECtalk at jaybird.no-ip.info
> >>>> http://jaybird.no-ip.info/mailman/listinfo/dectalk
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> _______________________________________________
> >>>> DECtalk mailing list
> >>>> DECtalk at jaybird.no-ip.info
> >>>> http://jaybird.no-ip.info/mailman/listinfo/dectalk
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>> ----------------------------------------
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> >>> _______________________________________________
> >>> DECtalk mailing list
> >>> DECtalk at jaybird.no-ip.info
> >>> http://jaybird.no-ip.info/mailman/listinfo/dectalk
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> _______________________________________________
> >>> DECtalk mailing list
> >>> DECtalk at jaybird.no-ip.info
> >>> http://jaybird.no-ip.info/mailman/listinfo/dectalk
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
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> >> _______________________________________________
> >> DECtalk mailing list
> >> DECtalk at jaybird.no-ip.info
> >> http://jaybird.no-ip.info/mailman/listinfo/dectalk
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > DECtalk mailing list
> > DECtalk at jaybird.no-ip.info
> > http://jaybird.no-ip.info/mailman/listinfo/dectalk
> >
>
> --
> My web page is at http://www.nickgawronski.com.
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