12-06-2009, 11:39 PM | #31 |
Zealot
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Perth Australia
Device: EZ Reader 5", Iliad
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TTS further thoughts
I have had a chance now to look a bit closer at voice synthesis as a whole and what I have found is profoundly disappointing.
There is not the consistency between voices that allow them to be reliably used by different engines. Proprietorial engines predominate and basic standards appear absent. Even in terms of marking up texts SSML seems inadequate and TEI Speak better but is unsupported. I had given up the idea having a single text marked up for reading and performance, rather an EPUB having two within it. But I cannot see SSML providing enough tools for scoring a very good performance (I may be mistaken). MP3 seems just too bulky and besides the problem is not in this, but getting a good digital voice performance in the first place. Other problems arise in predicting where TTS might have pronunciation troubles and words like “read” which are pronounced differently in different contexts, let alone foreign words etc.,. Potentially all that could be corrected by having a very simple TTS engine, a lot of very good voices and transliterating the whole text into IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet). Then two courses are open: 1) use standard dictionaries and look fro exceptions which then get listed for each publication. 2)render the whole text into IPA and hand transliterate problem words. The text would need then to be “scored” as a performance. Then we might have something for the future – what exists now is simply not all that better than the voice presently used on the EZReader. |
12-12-2009, 05:53 PM | #32 |
Retired Field Engineer
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Daly City, CA
Device: Astak EZ Reader Pro, Ectaco JBL
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May I suggest a way to have the device "power off" after a user defined period of inactivity?
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12-12-2009, 08:40 PM | #33 | |
Well trained by Cats
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Quote:
The E-Ink Screen flash (set what you see)...Sleep till you turn the page or other press that needs a screen change. Lock, just stops the buttons from messing with your place. |
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12-14-2009, 10:29 AM | #34 |
Addict
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Location: Hamilton, On
Device: Kobo Aura HD
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I love the button lock. I hated the DR's power down requirement, with the PP I just lock and go do something else or put it in my bag, pull out unlock and carry on. I've left it in that state for hours overnight and no issues.
I do plug my PP into my computer when I get to work daily so it's always going to be charged. |
01-11-2010, 09:19 PM | #35 |
Happy Wife & Momma
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Device: Purple Astak Pocket Pro! :)
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Hello,
I just started looking into the Pocket Pro, and have a couple of questions. First, can you load a dictionary, and search for a certain word? Also, if I exit a book, look at a second book, and come back to the first book, will it start where I left off? And if not, is there a way to bookmark a page? And third, how much is shipping? I see the readers at www.theezreader.com for $199, but don't see a price for shipping. (Is this the correct place for these questions?) Thanks! |
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01-11-2010, 09:50 PM | #36 | |
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Quote:
The memory of last read location is lost if you move or change the file. I beleve the same is true for bockmarks. There is a free 1913 Websters dictionary (14MB .prc file) it is search-able. It is not linked to what you are reading, Just another book |
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01-11-2010, 10:04 PM | #37 |
Happy Wife & Momma
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Thank you, theducks! The 1913 dictionary might actually be better for what I'm reading, because so far the only books I've downloaded to read on my Palm are public domain. So the older dictionary would be more likely to have the words used in the older books. I'm really curious to see an ebook reader in person and see if I like it!
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01-12-2010, 05:49 AM | #38 | |
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Quote:
The Dictionary is not included. More about where to get it and how how MR users made it work (better). https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...76&postcount=1 |
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01-12-2010, 12:24 PM | #39 |
Happy Wife & Momma
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TheDucks, yes, I understand. I've seen the 1913 dictionary at Gutenberg, but haven't tried using it yet. It seemed to be all running together so I didn't figure it would work for me at that time. But I'll check out the link you included. Thanks!
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01-19-2010, 10:53 PM | #40 |
Member
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Location: Wisconsin
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SD vs SDHC
I'm not a techie in any sense of the word so I don't understand the difference between SD and SDHC.
The 5" PPro says it has an SD reader up to 16 GB. I have not been able to find a 16 GB SD card. I only find them in SDHC. I was wondering if the Pocket Pro is able to read SDHC cards or is limited to the SD cards. This doesn't change my mind about owning an Astak EZreader (it's due to arrive tomorrow! YAY!) I just don't want to buy the wrong type of SD card. |
01-20-2010, 12:19 AM | #41 | |
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4 G works perfect I have 600 books on a 2G card and it is just over half full. (Not to many pictures, only covers) |
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01-20-2010, 01:44 AM | #42 |
Grand Sorcerer
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Welcome to the forum, CypressTiger!
The Pocket Pro can definitely use both SD and SDHC cards. There is some more general information about SD cards here in the wiki. The Pocket Pro is a great reader; I'm sure you will be happy with it. Looking forward to seeing you around the forum. Last edited by Javed; 01-21-2010 at 10:07 PM. Reason: official card class info has changed, see "Question about SD card support"-post#6 |
01-20-2010, 12:22 PM | #43 |
Member
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Location: Wisconsin
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Wonderful! Thank you so much. I had no idea there was a 2gb in the package with some free books.
I really have to commend Astak for making a reader that is so intuitive. I think I looked at one page in the manual just to check if I needed to charge it or not. I have been able to navigate very easily without any instruction. so far? I'm thrilled. |
01-20-2010, 12:25 PM | #44 |
Grand Sorcerer
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01-20-2010, 12:40 PM | #45 | |
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Dale |
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