TextAloud for Windows

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Editors’ Review

Download.com staffJuly 6, 2015

TextAloud converts screen text into spoken words. This app is useful for people who have difficulty reading material on the screen, but is also useful for those who want to multitask more efficiently.

Pros

Navigation shortcuts: TextAloud's variety of navigation shortcuts is quite helpful if you're listening to a very long document. This becomes the equivalent of scanning something for the sections that are of the most interest to you.

Video tutorials: There is a shortcut right from the help menu that jumps you to the video tutorials hosted on the company's website. These tutorials are extremely useful and comprehensive and show you all of the major operations you can complete with the program.

Cons

Voice options: The voices that come with the free version are all very grating. They are especially robotic sounding and quite difficult to listen to for prolonged periods of time. The software promises that the best voices are reserved for the paid version.

Overly complex interface: The interface is filled with a large menu, several text boxes, and a cluttered toolbar. Since the program's primary function is to read text out loud, there could have been a way to streamline all of this.

Bottom Line

If you find yourself spending way too much time reading during the day, TextAloud can increase your efficiency. However, the free voices are grating enough that it may be worth the upgrade to the paid version.

Editors' note: This is a review of the trial version of TextAloud 3.0.73.

What’s new in version 3.0.83

Version 3.0.83 updated for release version of Firefox 39.

TextAloud for Windows

Used TextAloud for Windows?

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: July 6, 2015

Latest update: July 6, 2015

Version: 3.0.83

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows 10
Windows Vista
Windows 2000
Windows XP
Windows 7

Additional Requirements: None

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 386,771

Downloads Last Week: 1

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Last Updated

User Reviews

4.1/5

24 User Votes

Virus Virus
Brain_BusterJuly 13, 2015
Pros
Avira found a virus and wouldn't even permit me to install this. Where do all these reviews come from, Fantasyland?
Cons
This will destroy your computer and make you wet the bed and put Beach Boys in your head.
Summary
This is a virus, so don't bother. Also, Bob Saget.
Great software and great support
garpmccApril 28, 2014
Pros
Very extensive program at a very reasonable price. Much better than comparable programs I've used.
Cons
It will read Bookshare files but doesn't have chapter navigation, but the guy I talked to said that they were considering including it in a future update. After that, it will be practically perfect.
Summary
It's my new favorite piece of software.
Review based on TA 2.x.x
ArrrvindMay 5, 2013
Pros
- Easy to use. - Good natural voices available.
Cons
- Bad standard voices. Good voices need to be bought extra. - Bug with 64 bit system. Dutch voice Laura refuses to install.
Summary
I have used this program along with English and Dutch voices for many years and have always been happy with my purchase. Now that I switched to a 64 bit system things are getting tricky as the Dutch voice Laura refuses to install. The help support only gives standard answers that don't fix the bug. All the plus stars are based on a good working program and friendly help-support in earlier days. Note: this review is based on TA 2.x.x.
Use it right and you won't complain
bluchunxFebruary 7, 2013
Pros
I've been using this program for maybe six years. Use a good voice and it will sound good. I think the AT&T voices Mike and Crystal are best, myself. Almost human. Other TTS programs require you to pay for premium voices, so I did not deduct any points for this. They are honest and make it easy to test and buy as a discounted package deal (at least when I bought). It is very easy to control. It can plug in to Word--that's convenient. It makes wav and mp3 files with some convenient setting options.
Cons
I don't know how well other programs handle this, but it will turn Dr. Smith, MD into Dr. Smith, Maryland (and a very few similar errors.
Summary
This program saves me a ton of time, because I have so much to read. I suggest saving articles in Word outline view or other outliner so you can easily organize what you have saved. Then cut and paste into the program.
This program works very well.
Bob1019December 28, 2011
Pros
Ease of use. Almost flawless.
Cons
Don't really like the sample voice..
Summary
Will purchase in near future.
good software
crystalaurelOctober 21, 2011
Pros
helps me make great time savings
Cons
voices available in the trial version are not very good quality.
Summary
I tried free trials for about 10 competitors 6 y ago
A_MilotaMay 28, 2011
Pros
I use it with a multi button mouse that lets me start reading and stop reading. I would recommend buying a nice sounding voice but you only need one. I really only use a hand full of the features it provides but the others never get in the way.
Cons
Some things like CD it pronounces as 40 when it should not. I guess it is targeted at ancient Romans rather than modern computer users. The pronunciation editor is a bit tuff to use. It would be nice if it had different modes: proofing, coding, ORC
Summary
While it is not the first program like this that I have used, this type of program: clipboard reading text to speech synthesizer has been vital to my survival as someone who is severely dyslexic. It does 95% of my reading for me and I use it more than 8 hours a day at home and at work. 6 years ago when my 10 year old tts program would not run on the new computer I did an extensive test of other products. This was the best, 1 or 2 of them may have been close but it was far better than most of the others. I have not tried the new one (which is probably better) nor have I tried the new competitors which are also probably better but you can at least say they now have years of experience in the area.
Textaloud....works
zebra148--2008May 17, 2011
Pros
I can not say as have used much of products like this. one of my first. But installed and works, sure there are better but this work prefect for what I will use it.
Cons
to be honest only program like this so, hard for me to answer
Summary
It Works, and was pretty easy to install, and can change some settings. Hey for free what more can you ask for?
It works really well, I'm impressed!
lucyckMarch 18, 2011
Pros
I give it 5 stars, and I do think it's the best text to voice program I tried, and I tried a bunch of them, but it could get even better. Either way, you can change the pronunciation of words easily (couldn't find it in Balabolka, for example).
Cons
I wanna be able to tell the program to not read the symbol " (quote). Or make it pause if there is a "-" in the middle of the text. I don't think it's possible. Yes, it comes with only Mary (Windows robot) in it, you SHOULD add more.
Summary
It was good enough to make me create a CNET account and tell you this. And I have been using and reading CNET since forever. lol Download AT&T Natural Voices, they are easy to install, really simple and there is no need to listen to a robot if you can have a real voice. Crystal and Aubrey are really good. Believe me, I wanted male voices, but these two, I have no idea why, sound better. And for the record, a company has a huge problem if it's easier to find an illegal download of its voices than to find a legal way to buy them. I had to search for a long time. Bottom line, pretty good. Can create mp3 and wma files pretty fast. Works fine with HUGE texts too, had NO problems.<br /><br /><span class='notifyMsg'> Updated </span>on Mar 19, 2011<p/>I forgot to test Paul's Natural Voice for some reason. Best male voice I tried, maybe even the best voice, but I don't know, his tone isn't really nice to listen to. He sounds 100% natural, but weird. Kinda like he's trying too hard to make me believe in something, not just calmly reading a text. And he sounds too young to make ME believe in anything. lol AT&T needs a 45yo male American voice asap. Well, either way I'm sure in a few years these will be even closer to perfection.
BIG PLUSES WITH NOT SO SMALL MINUSES
khammaOctober 28, 2009
Pros
A very comprehensive program. It has more functions than any other similar program in this price range.
Cons
Some other programs I've tried - free ones - sound better.
Summary
It is very simple to use. Just choose a file, from anywhere on your system, open it, and it pops up in the TextAloud screen. The program will read either from the beginning of the file or start from wherever the cursor is positioned. You don't have to select text and it doesn't quit reading at the end of every line or every paragraph. It comes with a help file - a good one. A big plus for me. I especially like the program's Pronunciation Editor. However, the Advanced Editor can only be use with the AT&T Natural Voices. So, if you are going to buy additional voices, AT&T would be the best bet. On the downside, You have to purchase the "exciting permium voices" mentioned in the Publisher's description separately. I downloaded a couple of the Cepstral voices, which are pretty nice but not cheap, so I could try them with TextAloud. They caused the program to crash every time I hit pause or stop. That might not happen after the voices are purchased but who wants to risk it? Not me. I don't want to be stuck paying for something that doesn't work. I didn't try the ATT, Acapela, or other costly voices with the program. I don't know if they can be downloaded for trial but I don't think so. Therefore, I have no way of knowing if they would crash TextAloud or not. So- I'm kinda stuck in deciding whether to purchase this program. I am using XP, SP2 and everybody's system is a little different. Others might not have the voice problems I am experiencing.

Developer’s Description

Convert any text into voice and MP3 or WMA for PC or download to portable player.

TextAloud converts any text into spoken words. It reads text, e-mail, web pages, and documents using your choice of voices. Unique Text to MP3 or WMA conversion saves your daily reading to audio files for download to your portable player. Listen to e-mail, online news, or important documents while you exercise, work or commute. It is available with exciting premium voices from ATT Natural Voices, Cepstral, Acapela, and Nuance RealSpeak.