A newer version of Ultra Hal Text-to-Speech Reader is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- Average user rating: stars out of 45 votes Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
User reviews
-
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
3 stars
Version: Ultra Hal Text-to-Speech Reader 1
"Simple tool for a simple procedure"
Pros: Does what it says: reads text (anything .txt or anything copied to clipboard). No bugs on my computer, and ran quickly.
Cons: It does need a pause button, as someone said. Also, I'm not sure when this would be very useful, as the blind couldn't manipulate the screen buttons and it isn't pleasant to listen to the robots when one can read the text much more quickly.
-
11 out of 12 people found this review helpful
3 stars
Version: Ultra Hal Text-to-Speech Reader 1
"Not bad for a freebie, some limitations"
Pros: First, it's free! I like the features better with this program compared to ReadPlease2003, which is the other free program I've used. I tried to convert text to a wav file and did so without problems. The voices available are pretty standard computer-sounding voices like any other freebie program; don't expect near-human quality voices in the free version. This program can run in the background in the system tray and can immediately read anything aloud that is put on the clipboard (whenever you highlight text and click CTRL-C it automatically reads it if enabled). Nice. It also can auto read any pop-up message boxes if enabled ("download complete," "Are you sure you want to exit," etc.). Nice again. It also can auto read instant messages (AOL, AIM, ICQ, and MSN), but unfortunately not Yahoo Messenger. Can read eBooks that are either highlighted only or are pasted into the text box of the program. You can disable the auto read of IM's, clipboard, and popup message boxes. If converting to wav files, it selects "Windows PCM" format, which I think a previous reviewer thought wasn't a wav file, but it ends up being a wav file, as advertised! PCM must be a codec or something. Overall I'm very pleased. Perhaps I'll eventually buy the decent voices instead of listening to the 20 or so optional crummy voices. Again, it's decent, but has limitations.
Cons: Like previous reviewers from the last 2 years on here, it did crash the 1st day I used it, but I just restarted it and it worked fine from then on. I can live with that. It crashed when I tried to switch voices in mid-paragraph. If I had clicked stop and then changed voices it would have probably been ok.
The commands are SLOW. If you want to pause or stop, you have to click 2 or 3 times before it happens (on my XP Pentium 4 3ghz machine).
It costs $24.95 for the good voices. Curiously, the links at their website to hear the good voices do not work at the current time, so I was not able to hear the voices that are supposedly "almost indistinguishable from a real human speaker."
-
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful
3 stars
Version: Ultra Hal Text-to-Speech Reader 1
Pros: It works. It actually works extremely well and will even pronounce words that might seem impossible for you.
Cons: The voice quality is pretty bad to say the least. It is understandable; it just sounds too robotic.
-
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful
1 stars
Version: Ultra Hal Text-to-Speech Reader 1.0.3
Pros: Nothing.
Cons: After I typed in a few words, I clicked the "Read" button and heard absolutely nothing. Then when I tried to save it as a WAV file, the program shut down. Plus, there's no uninstaller included. No wonder why it's free. Don't waste your time downloading this junk.
-
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
5 stars
Version: Ultra Hal Text-to-Speech Reader 1
Pros: dose everything it says.
Speakonia is good to, but I think I prefer Ultra Hal Text-to-Speech Reader better so I am confused by the difference in ratings?
Cons: NONE
Submit your review
You must be 13 years of age or older to submit personal information to CNET Networks. In compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998, CNET Networks does not accept name and e-mail address information from users who are under 13 years of age.
All submitted ratings and written comments become the sole property of CNET Networks, Inc. (CNET) and may be used at CNET Networks' sole discretion. Ratings and written comments are generally posted within two to four business days in batch groups, not in real time. However, CNET Networks reserves the right to remove or refuse to post any submission for any reason. You acknowledge that you, not CNET Networks, are responsible for the contents of your submission.
CNET Networks is not responsible for the content of the publisher's descriptions or user reviews on this site. We encourage you to determine whether this product or your intended use is legal. We do not encourage or condone the use of any software in violation of applicable laws. CNET Download.com does not sell, resell, or license any of the products listed on the site. We cannot be held liable for issues that arise from the download or use of these products.
