Windows: Text to Speech

Windows: Text to Speech 

The VitalSource Bookshelf application has the ability to use the built in Text to Speech function in Windows to have your books read aloud to you. 

You have a choice of how your book will be read:

• If you have not opened your book before and you start speaking, the speaker will start at the beginning of the book
• If you select a chapter or section in the left side TOC, the speaker will start reading at that chapter/section
• If you select sentences with your mouse cursor, the speaker will only read the selected text.

To start the Narrator, please do the following:

• Go to Book in the menu 
• Select Play/Pause Speaking
• *You can also use the shortcut CTRL + Shift + S
• To pause the reader, go to Book > Play/Pause Speaking or use the shortcut keys
• To stop, go to Book > Stop Speaking or use the shortcut CTRL + Alt + Shift + S

*NOTE: Text to Speech functionality may not work for all VitalSource titles. Please contact support if you have any issues with your ebook 

Adjusting the Text to Speech Voice

Windows 8

If you don’t like the default reader, you can change the voice in your Control Panel. 

• Go to Settings > Control Panel > Ease of Access > Speech Recognition
• Click on Text to Speech in the left hand side of the window
• You have three choices for Text to Speech: Microsoft David, Microsoft Hazel, and Microsoft Zira. Select one of these voices
• Use the slider to change the Voice speed
• Select “Apply” then select “OK”
• Close the Control Panel Window

Windows 7

Microsoft Anna is the default Narrator in Windows 7 and you are only able to change the speed of her voice. 

• Go to Control Panel > Ease of Access > Speech Recognition
• Click on Text to Speech in the left hand side of the window
• Use the slider to change the Voice speed
• Select “Apply” then select “OK”
• Close the Control Panel Window