Which Powerpoint Text to Voice software?

by paulmackie

Posted: 16 years ago 12 replies

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Hi Everyone,
Has anyone any recommendations which software to use for a NATURAL sounding (not robot Mary type) Powerpoint text to voice software? Just looking for software that will narrate each slide as I record the presentation to video.

I am creating powerpoint educational videos, and have been recording my own voice in Audacity for good quality, and adding it later to the powerpoint recorded video (recording my voice during recording from powerpoint and camtasia editing has a tinny echoing sound).

Thanks for any replies.

Have a great day.

Paul

#powerpoint #software #text #voice

paulmackie 16 years ago

Hi,
I am still looking and have found Naturalsoft NaturalReader 9, but am not sure if it will do the job? Has anyone used this software?

Paul.
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- 1 reply
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- James Horn 16 years ago
  
  I have another technique I use with Powerpoint.
  
  I have just bought Dragonfly Naturally Speaking 10. I am going to use this software to help me turn words to text when I am using Powerpoint.
  
  I hope that inspires your creativity.
  
  Thanks
  
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Marty S

16 years ago

Originally Posted by paulmackie

(recording my voice during recording from powerpoint and camtasia editing has a tinny echoing sound)l

Everyone always thinks they sound lousy, but I encourage you to use your own voice and just keep practicing. There is NOTHING more irritating than listening to a robot program trying to sound like a human. Whenever I hear such a program, I think the creator has something to hide.

My own videos have improved immensely by simply recording, listening to my errors and making an effort to deepen my tone and speak more clearly.... over and over again.

Thanks
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paulmackie

16 years ago

Hi Rhonnee and Marty,
Thanks for your replies.
I will check out Dragonfly Naturally Speaking 10.

Marty: I am happy with my voice, and the quality of my videos; the problem is the amount of time it takes to compile and narrate a series of videos. I have been making videos for years and have several programs I use (Powerpoint, Audacity, windows movie maker and myDVD); the only problem is recording the sound in another program and having to match it to the powerpoint video; I use Audacity, as it is easy to remove mistakes, and the sound quality is good.
Another issue is I have to make the sound recordings late at night when it is quieter; I live in an apartment building, which quietens down after 11pm.
My videos are staff training videos for my job, and are put on DVD so they can be played on any TV, or borrowed by staff to play at home; so as long as the voice is reasonably natural sounding that is ok. I am only relaying information to staff and not trying to sell a product. I would use my own voice for any marketing videos.

My other thought was I do not have the sound settings correct for Camtasia? My thinking is that the sound quality is ok with Audacity, so my sound card and computer settings must be ok. I record powerpoint using the camtasia record toolbar in powrepoint; so I'm thinking the audio settings are in Camtasia.

Thanks again.

Have a great day.

Paul

Thanks
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Marty S

16 years ago

Originally Posted by paulmackie

Marty: I am happy with my voice, and the quality of my videos; the problem is the amount of time it takes to compile and narrate a series of videos. I have been making videos for years and have several programs I use (Powerpoint, Audacity, windows movie maker and myDVD); the only problem is recording the sound in another program and having to match it to the powerpoint video; I use Audacity, as it is easy to remove mistakes, and the sound quality is good.
Another issue is I have to make the sound recordings late at night when it is quieter; I live in an apartment building, which quietens down after 11pm.
My videos are staff training videos for my job, and are put on DVD so they can be played on any TV, or borrowed by staff to play at home; so as long as the voice is reasonably natural sounding that is ok. I am only relaying information to staff and not trying to sell a product. I would use my own voice for any marketing videos.

My other thought was I do not have the sound settings correct for Camtasia? My thinking is that the sound quality is ok with Audacity, so my sound card and computer settings must be ok. I record powerpoint using the camtasia record toolbar in powrepoint; so I'm thinking the audio settings are in Camtasia.

Ok I understand. Are you using a headset? I find that the best for recording voice tracks as it virtually eliminates background noise.

Also, when you do the audio track in audacity and then import into camtasia - I feel that is the best way to produce such a video. I wrote an article about it here:

Create your audio file first for your videos. | Video

I also record my audio at night. :-)

Thanks
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paulmackie 16 years ago

Hi Marty,
I do use a headset, and agree with your article about creating an audio file first. However, you still have to match the audio with the video and when you have a series of videos to create it can be a daunting task; hence the need for a Powerpoint text to voice reader.

Normally I create the Powerpoint presentation; then in windows movie maker add powerpoint presentation text to voice (Audacity); then add a pre-created video background intro and ending (mediashock fx); add fly in text title on the selected background media fx clips in windows movie maker; add intro and ending music clip, then burn it to DVD in myDVD software.

Still looking for the text to voice software; one that will record text straight from Powerpoint presentation?

Have a great day.

Paul
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- Marty S 16 years ago
  
  Hmmm.. I don't really get how the test-to-voice is going to save you time. I might be missing something here.
  
  Also, if you use power point to its full advantage, those text fly-ins and transistions should all be done in that program IMHO. You can get the entire sequence layed out before you record anything.
  
  Also, when you are done with your presentation, just run camtasia recording your presentation as you click thru it without concern for timing yet.
  
  Then bring the recording into a camtasia project and match the visuals to your audio track.
  
  Thanks
  
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HorseStall 16 years ago

I'm a fan of NextUp's TextAloud Text reader for your PC - TextAloud is the text to speech converter that reads emails, documents and more.
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- paulmackie 16 years ago
  
  Hi,
  I'm wondering if textaloud will narrate a powerpoint presentation?
  
  I'm looking to play and record a powerpoint presentation and have the text read by the text to speech software; and have the voice sound reasonably human.
  
  Thanks for your reply.
  Paul
  
  Thanks
  
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epoon515 16 years ago

I have bought Dragonfly Naturally Speaking too.Now I am testing and watches video for the teaching.
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- paulmackie 16 years ago
  
  Hi,
  Just wondering how Dragonfly Naturally Speaking has worked out for you?
  It seems to be expensive and does not say it will narrate a powerpoint presentation.
  
  Anyone else any ideas what program to use for narrating a powerpoint presentation with a natural sounding text to voice program?
  
  Have a great day.
  
  Paul
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
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  paulmackie 16 years ago
  
  Hi Everyone,
  Has anyone tried NaturalReader 9.0 Personal Version? Price is right and looks like it will narrate a powerpoint presentation.
  
  Thanks
  Paul
  
  Thanks
  
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Which Powerpoint Text to Voice software?

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