[DECtalk] DECtalk Version Territory

[Jayson Smith]

Hello,
One thing I'd like to point out is that if you ever upgrade a Dectalk
Express to 4.61 or get one from somebody that either was upgraded or came
from the factory with 4.61, it is safe to downgrade it to the latest Digital
version available.  If you or anybody else on the list would like the
appropriate archive so you can perform the downgrade, let me know.
Jayson.

----- Original Message -----
From: "GUI Access" <guiaccess at covad.net>
To: "DECtalk Discussions" <dectalk at jaybird.no-ip.info>
Sent: Saturday, February 26, 2005 3:09 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
>
> _______________________________________________
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> DECtalk at jaybird.no-ip.info
> http://jaybird.no-ip.info/mailman/listinfo/dectalk



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