[DECtalk] dectalk external question

[Tony Baechler]

Hi, see below for more text.  No, I don't have an original unit and 
you're right in that the drivers for one won't work with the 
other.  However, I do have the Window-eyes manual and here is what it 
has to say.  Also, I think I tried the wrong drivers with the Express 
and I got no speech, so the method of finding each unit is 
different.  If you have the developer's manual which I think is on 
the archive, it says how apps can look for the Express.  I think they 
send a control code and the unit sends out the version number.  See 
below for a paste.

At 12:20 AM 3/2/2006, you wrote:
>Ok maybe I was wrong.  But if I recall correctly the DECtalk Express drivers
>won't load unless they can find a DECtalk Express on the specified com port.
>That implies some method of probing a serial port for a DECtalk Express
>which the older monsters most likely wouldn't support.  Do you have one of
>the old units and know that the Express drivers will definitely work with
>it?


C.12: DECtalk Original
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(does not support indexing)
Window-Eyes Standard supports: DECtalk Original
Window-Eyes Professional supports: None
Options:
Port Select the COM port the synthesizer is connected to
Baud Rate 9600 is the default
Data Bits 8 is the default
Stop Bits 1 is the default
Parity none is the default
Flow Control Xon/Xoff is the default
It does not support any of the volume settings. Changing the volume 
from within Window-Eyes
will have no effect at all. To adjust the volume, you must use the 
volume control
on the DECtalk itself. Also, we decided to map the six different 
voices the DECtalk
offers into the tone settings. Therefore, Window-Eyes tones A-H will 
use Huge Harry.
Tone I will use Perfect Paul. Tone J will use Frail Frank. Tone K 
will use Rough
Rita. Tone L will use Beautiful Betty. Finally tones M through Z will 
use Kit the
Kid.