(7)
Your rating: Now say why...
Narrator ... Using rich voices provided within the Mac OS X system (especially OS 10.7), Narrator supplies controls that allow the user to choose a voice actor-adjusting the speed and pitch of the actor's voice as well as inflection and volume-when reading the user added content. A dictionary preference allows substitution of words or phrases and to fine-tune pronunciation. In addition, the user has the ability to add more voice characters available from Cepstral, a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania based company that provides speech technologies and who has partnered with Mariner for this
What's New
Version 2.2.0:
- Allows users to assign the new higher-quality voices that are included with Mac OS X 10.7.
Requirements
Intel, Mac OS X 10.6 or later.
Intel, Mac OS X 10.6 or later.
Narrator User Discussion (Write a Review)
Overall:
(7)
(7)
| Downloads:14,314 |
| Version Downloads:1,060 |
| Type:Multimedia & Design : Audio |
| License:Demo |
| Date:03 Aug 2011 |
| Platform:Intel |
| Price: $39.95 |
Overall (Version 2.x):  |
Features: |
| Ease of Use: |
| Value: |
| Stability: |
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Narrator ... Using rich voices provided within the Mac OS X system (especially OS 10.7), Narrator supplies controls that allow the user to choose a voice actor-adjusting the speed and pitch of the actor's voice as well as inflection and volume-when reading the user added content. A dictionary preference allows substitution of words or phrases and to fine-tune pronunciation. In addition, the user has the ability to add more voice characters available from Cepstral, a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania based company that provides speech technologies and who has partnered with Mariner for this product.
Copyright © 2012 MacUpdate LLC
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If your text-to-speech needs don't require separate voices for separate passages, you can get the EXACT SAME voice quality FOR FREE.
Open TextEdit. Write something. Go to Edit > Speech > Start Speaking.
If you require more than 1 voice for different lines, get this or GhostReader.
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Also, if you only want it to read a certain part, you can highlight the text you want it to read and it'll read just that portion.
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Dochoz reviewed on 25 Jan 2011
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I'll just add that the quality of the voices is considerably better in GhostReader. I don't know if this changed under OS X 10.7 though.
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Wheninrome reviewed on 08 Nov 2010
So, for one layer, if you're like me, when you write a letter for a business purpose, you need to read it out loud. A lot. Yes, you can read it yourself, but in order to be effective - you really need another voice. Narrator cleanly fills that role. As a small business owner, Narrator sure has come in handy.
Another layer of Narrator that again, isn't as apparent - is as a study buddy. Now, I am a visual learner, so I really appreciate things like diagrams and videos. I need to see what I am learning. So knowing that a product like Narrator can act as a study buddy for those who need to listen in order to really learn their material - well, let's just say that I can sympathize and wish that there was something like that for us visual learners when we were in school.
Lastly, as someone who is going to have to be on the lookout for AMD (for the uninformed, that's Age-related Macular Degeneration)and who already has a family member with it - in addition to books on tape and the like, a person with low-vision now has Narrator which is one more way to enhance their quality of life. And that's no small thing.
I haven't gone through all the layers of this product, but if what I've uncovered so far is any indication of all that's inside Narrator, I know that I will not be disappointed.
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I was wrong - I got (although a little bit late - but I assume it is because large number of customers) both letters from MS and now I am a proud owner of Narrator 2.1!
Thank you guys, you've teach me a lesson! And I am a quick learner.
Thank you.
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Kind regards,
Bill Ellenberger
President
Faithful Path
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Jayce reviewed on 11 Nov 2009
Narrator has a lot more flexibility than I have ever used, but it is so well developed and so clearly explained that I have never spent frustrating time trying to get it to do what it claims to do. I know that if I spent more time with the program I could do more with it but . . . the program makes it so easy just to Go.
This is a wonderful program.
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ZenZenPup reviewed on 18 May 2009
Being able to open and read Word .docx files is a major upside.
I would ask though, for some sort of "Import URL" capability for people with low/restricted vision to be able to read web pages without having to select text which they cannot see on the first place...
Services>Narrator>New Document With Selection
does NOT work with Flock...
OCR needed to parse PDF files...
When words of a title of a poem use small caps, Narrator enunciates each individual letter, not the words....
Needs a "rewind" button. Being able to scrub through text, and have the program highlight the currently spoken word would be a big addition for low-vision users.
Again, this application is a big step in the right direfction. But it still needs a lot of fit-and-finish polishing.
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clraney74 reviewed on 23 Aug 2008
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lavallette reviewed on 28 May 2008
Just downloaded and installed version 2.0.1 of this app. And I have to say it is a quantum leap improvement on version 1. Along with MacDictate, Narrator has now provided me with the complete accessibility package. And with the ability to create a doc, choose a voice, alter inflections, then export to iTunes. I have just adapted a book a visually impaired person has just written with Narrator. Each character was then given their own voice and altered to provide its own personality. Once transferred to iTunes then this visually impaired person can listen to it when they want to alter, edit or whatever to their book. Along with the price which is an astonishingly low price - I decided on the Household License - now my whole family can enjoy 'playing' about with it.
Visually, the app has been improved leaps and bounds and is now proudly in keeping with my Leopard. All in all, an absolute bargain, a very effective tool and a dream to use.
As a published writer, I have always believed that the ears are the best judge and critic of written work, and sometimes of people too. Narrator is certainly testament to that. Well done Dejal.
By the way...for the cynics I am not related to the developer or met him. I am just a proud user.
+34
Mcloy rated on 25 Dec 2011