by WatDo » May 3rd, 2013, 2:53 am
I am very hesitant to buy a text-to-speech file. I could make my own script if I wanted to, and a text-to-speech generator just doesn't work all the time. The only TTS voice I can stand is Paul which is why I use him for my self-made files, and my friend enjoys writing up scripts so I use his from time to time. A human voice is easier to follow and has a unique pace, while TTS engines only have one way of saying things unless you massively edit the file. . . Which nobody ever does anyway.
In the end, I think TTS should have a cap of 10 dollars. It's absurd to pay anything around 20-30 for a TTS file because voice files, ones that require A LOT more effort, go for that price. No offense to those who make TTS files. It's like comparing a singer to a Vocaloid. The singers do a ton of work to actually turn words into song, while a Vocaloid is a synthesizer that takes 0% effort to "sing". The author of the songs, however, put in a lot of effort. It's just that they don't have the additional effort that the singer has to put in as well.
TTS files should be clearly labeled and if it's not labeled the buyers should be entitled to have their money back.