Computerized Voice Alarms

[jhintonh]

Good Evening-

I just thought someone may be interested in doing what I did the other night.  I use World Alarm Clock (the Sony product not provided with the TH damn it!) and I wanted a few alarms to alert me to my morning coffee break, starting time, afternoon coffee break, quitting time, etcetera.  So here is what I did:

•Went to this web site:  http://www.naturalvoices.att.com/demos/

•Typed in a phrase that I wanted the alarm to say (note that there is a 30 word limit)

•Chose a voice (male, British English) and told it to play my selection

•The voice is played through Windows Media Player, in a seperate window

•After the phrase is played, simply click "File" and "Save media as..." and then save it to the Desktop

•Use dbPowerAmp to convert the new file into a IMA ADPCM file format, tweaking the kHz settings to keep the file under the 64k size limit for alarms

•Install this WAV file onto your Memorystick with DataImport, right into the MSSOUNDS folder

•Then fire up the Voice Recorder app on the CLIE (after you have disconnected from your PC and DataImport); you will see the newly transferred file listed

•From the drop-down menu, select Data/Convert to Alarm and then from the next list, check this new file

•Voila! you have a cool digitally spoken alarm to use within any app so capable

This may not interest anyone else, but I must tell you, it is quite a conversation starter.  And I had fun developing thoroughly British sounding phrases for the computer to say.  :)

If you have fun with it, post your experiences.

-Jhintonh

P.S.  There is a 40 use limit per 24 hour period when using the above web site.  I know because I encountered it.  There are other web sites that offer similar services, but their digital voices are not nearly so polished as the AT&T versions.

[joker123]

nice

[Derwoody]

I tried the business of moving WAClock from my T-615 to the TH-55, but all I got when I ran it was an error claiming that the application was only targeted for T-615 and one other T6xx model. Blah.

[eltaino]

Thanks for the info, jhintonh.
Now, I'm off to play with my answering machine. :D

[Jayman]

Awesome Tip!!! Derwoody, the World Alarm Clock version that comes with the TG50 works just fine on my TH55.

[Derwoody]

I guess I'll have to locate a copy through the Clie Apps Underground . . . I kind of miss WAClock.

[Icthus]

This is awesome - Thanx man

[jhintonh]

Originally posted by Icthus
This is awesome - Thanx man

Good Evening-

No problem.  I have really enjoyed coming up with alarms.  Enjoy.

-Jhintonh

[jhintonh]

Good Evening-

BTW, Icthus, I read your caption above your avatar and I could not agree more! Where is that promised driver?! I love the KB-11. I love my TH55. They want to be together.

-Jhintonh

[larry 1749]

"Where is that promised driver?! I love the KB-11. I love my TH55. They want to be together."

Sorry for the bad news but you are going to have to buy a new keyboard.

The KB-11 was made buy Stowaway and they are never going to release a new driver the electronics in the TH55 will not work with their old keyboards. I know this sucks. I just ordered the KB100 form Sony, at least I had a 25% off coupon for it.

[depret]

Great tip! You can also create your own voice using Voice Rec application. Covert the Voice memo using the Sound Utility. Now just pick the alarm sound you created when setting a recurring alarm in standard datebook. Make it a recurring and your voice can wake you up every day.

[depret]

Tips and Tricks:
You can also create your own voice using Voice Rec application. Sorry about the error above but I could not edit.

Here is the procedure straight from the user manual on CD. I recommend changing the title of the Voice Memo to something meaningful before you convert it.

http://www.cliesource.com/gallery/data/500/34382VoiceMemo_Alarm-thumb.jpg

http://www.cliesource.com/gallery/data/500/34382VoiceMemo_Alarm.jpg






http://www.cliesource.com/gallery/data/500/34382SoundUtl-thumb.jpg

http://www.cliesource.com/gallery/data/500/34382SoundUtl.jpg






Enjoy your favorite voice every morning.

[strider_mt2k]

I was doing something similar on my SJ33.

My current alarm is the Itchy and Scratchy Theme from the Songs in the Key of Springfield CD.

I look forward to messing with this stuff on the TH55. :rolleyes:

[spidey]

I'd like to assign a different wav to each alarm. for example if it's an alarm for the dentist I'd like to be able to assign a wav that says "Dentist appointment at 2 o'clock" Datebook only allows one alarm for all events. Is this possible?

[depret]

WA Clock would allow 5 different alarms but it does not come bundled. If it is really important to you try searchinb www.palmgear.com and try out some of the datebook replacements software.

[DanT]

I tried the business of moving WAClock from my T-615 to the TH-55, but all I got when I ran it was an error claiming that the application was only targeted for T-615 and one other T6xx model. Blah.

You need OS5 version of WAClock (v.1.10). Try to download it from this link (http://www.leggnet.com/clie/).

[strider_mt2k]

Well, as dumb as this sounds, I carefully experimented with making a recording with Voice Recorder at various distances from a speaker, and with various EQ settings on the sound system I was playing my source material on, and got good results.

It's the low tech long way 'round, but effective. ;)

(And I got my Itchy & Scratchy alarm back too!) :D

[Derwoody]

You need OS5 version of WAClock (v.1.10). Try to download it from this link (http://www.leggnet.com/clie/).

Well, that worked...
Thanks, DanT. I was missing WAClock and the replacement I was using wasn't doing the trick.
:D

[DanT]

Well, that worked...
Thanks, DanT. I was missing WAClock and the replacement I was using wasn't doing the trick.
:D

You welcome. I like WAClock too, especially with GeekSounds (http://www.freewarepalm.com/utilities/geeksounds.shtml).

[Streamhawk]

Is there an app like "dbPowerAmp" for Mac users? Cause I've been trying to use Quicktime Pro, and the Clié is able to see it, but then it says that the data format is not compatible, and it's a WAV file. I know it's a long shot, but I had to try. thanks guys for any light on this.

Good Evening-

I just thought someone may be interested in doing what I did the other night.  I use World Alarm Clock (the Sony product not provided with the TH damn it!) and I wanted a few alarms to alert me to my morning coffee break, starting time, afternoon coffee break, quitting time, etcetera.  So here is what I did:

•Went to this web site:  http://www.naturalvoices.att.com/demos/

•Typed in a phrase that I wanted the alarm to say (note that there is a 30 word limit)

•Chose a voice (male, British English) and told it to play my selection

•The voice is played through Windows Media Player, in a seperate window

•After the phrase is played, simply click "File" and "Save media as..." and then save it to the Desktop

•Use dbPowerAmp to convert the new file into a IMA ADPCM file format, tweaking the kHz settings to keep the file under the 64k size limit for alarms

•Install this WAV file onto your Memorystick with DataImport, right into the MSSOUNDS folder

•Then fire up the Voice Recorder app on the CLIE (after you have disconnected from your PC and DataImport); you will see the newly transferred file listed

•From the drop-down menu, select Data/Convert to Alarm and then from the next list, check this new file

•Voila! you have a cool digitally spoken alarm to use within any app so capable

This may not interest anyone else, but I must tell you, it is quite a conversation starter.  And I had fun developing thoroughly British sounding phrases for the computer to say.  :)

If you have fun with it, post your experiences.

-Jhintonh

P.S.  There is a 40 use limit per 24 hour period when using the above web site.  I know because I encountered it.  There are other web sites that offer similar services, but their digital voices are not nearly so polished as the AT&T versions.

[jhintonh]

Good Evening, Streamhawk-

That is a bummer. dbPowerAMP is a nice little piece of software. Since I have had no need to look for an alternative (all WinXP machines for me) I am not sure what is out there.

Perhaps Nero is capable of this. Have you explored that? I will look a little for you as well.

-Jhintonh

[Streamhawk]

Good Evening, Streamhawk-

That is a bummer. dbPowerAMP is a nice little piece of software. Since I have had no need to look for an alternative (all WinXP machines for me) I am not sure what is out there.

Perhaps Nero is capable of this. Have you explored that? I will look a little for you as well.

-Jhintonh

Thanks jhintonh,

But Nero is also a "windows only" app. What does dbPowerAMP do exactly to the Wave file to make readable in the Clié? maybe by knowing what it does it could help me find a mac app that can help me duplicate the proccess.

[jhintonh]

Good Evening-

dbPowerAMP allows you to convert the new file into a IMA ADPCM file format and tweak the kHz settings to keep the file under the 64k size limit for alarms. That and the fact that it is free (plus it allows numerous other tweaking) makes it a nice application.

I have not given up looking around for you my friend. I have an acquaintance that is a die-hard Mac-Head. I will be having lunch with him tomorrow and I will ask him what he uses. He also has a CLIE (UX50) and loves music so if someone knows a good sound app like db for Mac user, he probably is the man.

-Jhintonh

[Streamhawk]

Thanks jhintonh!

I'll be looking out for your post.

Good Evening-

dbPowerAMP allows you to convert the new file into a IMA ADPCM file format and tweak the kHz settings to keep the file under the 64k size limit for alarms. That and the fact that it is free (plus it allows numerous other tweaking) makes it a nice application.

I have not given up looking around for you my friend. I have an acquaintance that is a die-hard Mac-Head. I will be having lunch with him tomorrow and I will ask him what he uses. He also has a CLIE (UX50) and loves music so if someone knows a good sound app like db for Mac user, he probably is the man.

-Jhintonh

[Cyker]

Just a note - the IMA ADPCM codec is part of Windows - You could actually use the Windows Sound Recorder to convert from a RAW WAV to an IMA ADPCM-compressed WAV if you wanted to :)

On the Mac, I'm not sure what their sound format support is like, but *any* Wave editor that supports IMA ADPCM should do the trick.
There is a Unix utility called Sox which is what I use in Linux, and there might be a Mac port available.
Adobe Premiere could probably do it but that's a bit overkill :)