Text-to-Speech (TTS) refers to the ability of computers to read text aloud (speech synthesis). A TTS Engine converts written text to a phonemic representation, then converts the phonemic representation to waveforms that can be output as sound. Windows desktop systems can use SAPI 4 and SAPI 5 components to support speech synthesis and speech recognition.

Windows XP has a English voice engine called Sam. Beginning with Windows Vista and Windows 7, Microsoft Anna is the default English TTS voice. It is a female voice and is designed to sound more natural. Microsoft Streets & Trips 2006 and later install the Microsoft Anna voice on Windows XP systems for the voice-prompt direction feature.

In 2010, Microsoft released the newer Speech Platform compatible voices for Speech Recognition and Text-to-Speech for use with client and server applications. These voices are available in 26 languages and can be installed on Windows client and server operating systems, also on Windows 7 and Server 2003.

The Microsoft Speech Platform allows developers to build and deploy Text-to-Speech applications. The Microsoft Speech Platform consists of a Runtime, and Runtime Languages (engines for speech recognition and text-to-speech). There are separate Runtime Languages for speech recognition and speech synthesis.

Downloadable files for Microsoft Speech Platform

• Microsoft Speech Platform Runtime v11.0
• Redistributable Language Packs v11.0

1. Install Speech Platform Runtime. (the file SpeechPlatformRuntime.msi’)
2. Select and download any desired voice pack, then install.

I suggest to try 32 bit versions first for compatibility with your text-to-speech (TTS) software.

For example Microsoft David (US male), Hazel (UK female) and Zira (US female) sound more natural than the Microsoft Anna.

Off all the text to speech programs I tested, I have found this free program “Balabolka” to work excellently. It just does its job, and much much more.

http://www.cross-plus-a.com/balabolka.htm

“Balabolka” main window view

What I like most in Balabolka

• it’s free, and has portable version
• you can save speech as audio file
• it highlights words as it reads
• can read clipboard text with a shortcut
• adjust voices, rate and etc.