Other Speech Engines Compatible with Microsoft Agent

In addition to the Microsoft speech engines that are provided with and support Microsoft Agent, a number of companies also offer speech engines with support for Microsoft Agent. This page gives you a brief overview of such engines that may be available in U.S. English and other languages. Information about how to install and access, as well as license and redistribute the engines can be found at their Web sites.

When using any third-party speech engine, you also need to install Microsoft SAPI 4.0a runtime binaries so that the engines are enumerated properly. You can do this by selecting this link to download the SAPI 4.0a runtime binaries:

Download the Microsoft SAPI 4.0a runtime binaries (824 KB exe)

Or, from your Web page you can include the following tag to trigger an autodownload of the Speech API:

<OBJECT WIDTH=0 HEIGHT=0
  CLASSID="CLSID:0C7F3F20-8BAB-11d2-9432-00C04F8EF48F"
  CODEBASE="#VERSION=4,0,0,0">
</OBJECT>

For more information about the SAPI runtime binaries, refer to the Microsoft Speech group's Web site. Microsoft Agent also installs the SAPI runtime binaries with the Microsoft Speech Recognition Engine, the Speech Control Panel, and the Agent Character Editor.

Please note that these links point to servers that are not under Microsoft control. Please read the Microsoft official statement regarding other servers. Microsoft does not endorse the content nor the software provided at these Web sites. All technical and support questions should also be directed to the suppliers of the engines and not to Microsoft or the Microsoft Agent team.

Digalo Text-To-Speech Engine

Digalo is an affordable TTS engine designed for end-users and developers. The engine is offered in a number of languages: French, German, Portuguese (Brazilian), Spanish, Russian, and UK and U.S. English, with Italian, Polish, and other languages coming soon. You can listen to sound samples and download free trial versions from Digalo's Web site. Developer information, as well as details on end-user registration and affiliate programs, is also available.

Elan Speech Engine

Elan Speech Engine uses Elan's Text To Speech technology and is available in seven languages: French, German, Portuguese (Brazilian), Spanish, Russian, UK and U.S. English. You can find sample sound clips of the engines, as well as technical and licensing information at the Web site.

Eloquent Technology ETI-Eloquence

ETI-Eloquence speaks using highly intelligible synthetic voices with natural intonation and stress patterns. Languages available are U.S. English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazilian), Spanish (Castilian), Spanish (Mexican), and UK English. French (Canadian) and Mandarin Chinese will be available in the near future. You can find sample wave files of the engines and developer information at Eloquent's Microsoft Agent Information Web site.

IBM ViaVoice Outloud

IBM has developed several Microsoft Agent characters for use with ViaVoice Outloud. IBM ViaVoice Outloud is a text-to-speech (speech synthesis) technology and is available in French, German, Italian, Spanish, UK English and U.S. English. When combined with Microsoft Agent, you can create vibrant applications in many languages and extend your sales opportunities to new worldwide markets. For more information, or to download a free 90-day trial version of ViaVoice Outloud, see their Web site.