CNET Editors' review
For many people, having their typed words read aloud is a necessity. If you fall into this category, Ultra Hal Text-to-Speech Reader offers a simple program to help users select text and have it read aloud.
This free program has a very plain interface that may not impress users with its looks, but will gain fans with its simplicity. A large, open white screen with pull-down menus along the top for File, Option, Format, Saving, and Printing options dominates the view. Along the right side are three sliders to control speed, pitch and volume, a time counter, and a link to download more realistic voices. Operating Ultra Hal is very simple. Users type in the word, phrase, or paragraph they want read aloud (there is no space limit). The box mimics a word processor and should be intuitively manipulated. From there, users click on the Read All button and hear their words come to life. There is also an option to highlight certain text and just read a selection. Running the sliders will help dial in the perfect speed and pitch to make the voice sound more human and realistic if they so choose.
No matter what you are reading, Ultra Hal is a simple, effective way to make written text come to life. We highly recommend this download for anyone in need of such a product.
Publisher's Description
From Zabaware:
The Ultra Hal Text-to-Speech Reader application will read your documents out loud in one of its many high-quality voices. This can be a great tool for proofreading because hearing your text out loud helps you spot all mistakes. This program also can be used for reading e-books, reading Clipboard content, and speaking instant messages. Also, it is able to save its output as a WAV file, which can be converted into a MP3 file.
Version 1.0.5 includes better support of AT&T Natural Voices.
What's new in this version: Version 1.0.5 includes better support of AT&T Natural Voices.
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All versions:
2.7 starsout of 68 votes
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Current version:
2.2 starsout of 32 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"another is better"
Version: Ultra Hal Text-to-Speech Reader 1.0.5
Pros
do the basic function
Cons
user face is not good.
could not speak document.Summary
another is better.
its name is document speaker.
its link in the site.
http://download.cnet.com/Document-Speaker/3000-18483_4-75622434.html -
"Ok, able to read text"
Version: Ultra Hal Text-to-Speech Reader 1.0.5
Pros
Reads text with ease,
Cons
option to convert to wav file keeps giving run time error 5, and i cant save as sound file.
stop/pause button doesn't always work -
"Works good for free verison"
Version: Ultra Hal Text-to-Speech Reader 1.0.5
Pros
paid verison works better and has more votce selections
Cons
none so far
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"Program does not load and freezes the computer"
Version: Ultra Hal Text-to-Speech Reader 1.0.5
Pros
None - a piece of junk
Cons
This is the type of junk software I don't want on my computer
Summary
This piece of junk should be removed from CNET. It harms the overall opinion of CNET
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"Reformats sound in windows"
Version: Ultra Hal Text-to-Speech Reader 1.0.5
Pros
Works reads documents, good voice control.
Cons
Reformats sound to 8kH single channel either right or left speaker. If you wish to use stereo for other applications, you must reformat your sound crontrols from the control panel.
Summary
There are better programs out there!
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"This program is very good at what it does ."
Version: Ultra Hal Text-to-Speech Reader 1.0.5
Pros
The ease with which a text file can be translated into a wave file is very convenient.
Cons
It would appear that with every use the user has to go into the control panel and adjust the settings for mp3 file play because Ultra Hal resets the controls.
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"could never get it to load. said i was missing a file"
Version: Ultra Hal Text-to-Speech Reader 1.0.5
Pros
none would not load
Cons
would not load
Summary
would not load
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"It really helps when my eyes are tired"
Version: Ultra Hal Text-to-Speech Reader 1.0.5
Pros
it Reads for you
Cons
i like it all
Summary
Its a big help when you are tired and your eyes hurts from trying to read small letters
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"Can't hear the voices"
Version: Ultra Hal Text-to-Speech Reader 1.0.5
Pros
- It comes with more than one voice
- The voices "flow" more easily than the ones on some of the other apps I've tried, which makes the speech more understandableCons
- I couldn't hear any of the voices, even with both volume controls (its and my computer's) all the way up. Earphones might have worked better, but I don't want to use those.
- You have to click at least 3 times on the "Stop" button to get it to stopSummary
I can't use a reader I can't hear. I uninstalled it. Sorry I wasted my (wireless connection) bandwidth to download it.
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"crash poof"
Version: Ultra Hal Text-to-Speech Reader 1.0.5
Pros
while it works, it's good
Cons
It has not been updated for years and has been crashing for years.
Summary
I just wish they would fix the crash and it would be viable to use. It wasn't bad.
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