Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!rutgers!sri-spam!sri-unix!hplabs!pesnta!valid!markp
From: markp@valid.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc,comp.sys.misc,comp.periphs,sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Text to Speech on PCs
Message-ID: <968@valid.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 2-Feb-87 21:01:12 EST
Article-I.D.: valid.968
Posted: Mon Feb  2 21:01:12 1987
Date-Received: Wed, 4-Feb-87 04:24:31 EST
References: <1879@ulysses.homer.nj.att.com>
Organization: Valid Logic, San Jose, CA
Lines: 23
Xref: watmath comp.sys.ibm.pc:1356 comp.sys.misc:286 comp.periphs:166 sci.electronics:189

> I am looking for a good Text to Speech peripheral (< $1000) for an ibm
> pc compatible (att 6300 plus) running under either DOS or UNIX.  It can
> be either a board or even better a stand alone rs232 device.  Quality is
> important although my price limitation is < $1K.  Any suggestions out there?
> Thanks in advance !!
> 
> 

Well, you sound like you want a commercial product, but here goes anyway...
The last time I perused my local Radio Schlock, they carried a pair of chips
designed for this purpose.  One is a digital/analog allophone synthesizer,
the other a microprocessor with a text-to-speech algorithm in ROM.  Total
price is about $30!  Anyone know about the quality of the algorithm (i.e.
coverage, inflection control, etc.) and if it is possible to extend the
exception vocabulary, etc.?  If somebody out there sells a kit using this set,
then the total price would certainly be under $150, since all you seem to
need in addition is a standalone UART chip and an audio amplifier.  I would
appreciate any information by e-mail, and will summarize.  Then again, perhaps
I should just give in to my baser hacking instinct and buy the chip set. :-)

	Mark Papamarcos
	Valid Logic
	hplabs!{ridge,pesnta}!valid!markp