Has anyone used the audio function on their Kindle?

Simon Wood · 11-15-2009, 10:59 PM

I'm interested to know people's experience has been with the audio function with the Kindle. If I understand it right, the Kindle will read text out? Has anyone tried it? Is it good or does it sound like an old Speak & Spell?

I'm not looking to use it for reading out ebooks, but for the PDF documents I receive in my daily life. If it works well, this could come in handy on a couple levels for me. Somebody did tell me that it is unlikely that a Kindle will read out PDF files, but weren't a 100% certain. Anyone know for sure?

WT Sharpe · 11-15-2009, 11:04 PM

The text-to-speech feature is remarkably similar to Stephen Hawking's speech synthesizer, and the tinny, built-in speakers have very little volume. On the other hand, the Kindle is great for listening to audiobooks if you use a good set of headphones.

daffy4u · 11-15-2009, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon Wood

I'm interested to know people's experience has been with the audio function with the Kindle. If I understand it right, the Kindle will read text out? Has anyone tried it? Is it good or does it sound like an old Speak & Spell?

I'm not looking to use it for reading out ebooks, but for the PDF documents I receive in my daily life. If it works well, this could come in handy on a couple levels for me. Somebody did tell me that it is unlikely that a Kindle will read out PDF files, but weren't a 100% certain. Anyone know for sure?

The Kindle does not read PDF files. You would have to convert the pdf to a .mobi file, either through Amazon or 3rd party software. If the pdf files are mostly text they should convert pretty well but if there are lots of images and tables, you'll have problems.

Here is a youtube video sample of how the TTS sounds. It's not too bad.

Simon Wood · 11-16-2009, 01:30 PM

Thanks...

Rootman · 11-16-2009, 05:30 PM

Yes, I just got my Kindle and found that the TTS function works remarkable well. I've found myself listening and reading along makes it more enjoyable.

The volume is quite low, it works well in a quiet setting and works great with headphones.

Simon Wood · 11-17-2009, 02:17 AM

Thanks a bunch...

11-15-2009, 10:59 PM	#1
Simon Wood Addict Posts: 237 Karma: 400001 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: California Device: none	Has anyone used the audio function on their Kindle? I'm interested to know people's experience has been with the audio function with the Kindle. If I understand it right, the Kindle will read text out? Has anyone tried it? Is it good or does it sound like an old Speak & Spell? I'm not looking to use it for reading out ebooks, but for the PDF documents I receive in my daily life. If it works well, this could come in handy on a couple levels for me. Somebody did tell me that it is unlikely that a Kindle will read out PDF files, but weren't a 100% certain. Anyone know for sure?

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11-15-2009, 11:04 PM	#2
WT Sharpe Bah, humbug! Posts: 39,072 Karma: 157049943 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chesapeake, VA, USA Device: Kindle Oasis, iPad Pro, & a Samsung Galaxy S9.	The text-to-speech feature is remarkably similar to Stephen Hawking's speech synthesizer, and the tinny, built-in speakers have very little volume. On the other hand, the Kindle is great for listening to audiobooks if you use a good set of headphones.

11-16-2009, 01:30 PM	#4
Simon Wood Addict Posts: 237 Karma: 400001 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: California Device: none	Thanks...

11-16-2009, 05:30 PM	#5
Rootman Groupie Posts: 181 Karma: 478 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Android & FBReader	Yes, I just got my Kindle and found that the TTS function works remarkable well. I've found myself listening and reading along makes it more enjoyable. The volume is quite low, it works well in a quiet setting and works great with headphones.

11-17-2009, 02:17 AM	#6
Simon Wood Addict Posts: 237 Karma: 400001 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: California Device: none	Thanks a bunch...

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