3. Playing TrueSpeech WAV sound files in real-time
4. Pauses During Playback and Other Troubleshooting
5. Creating TrueSpeech Audio for your Webpage
6. Creating a TrueSpeech Plugin for your Webpage
7. License Agreement
Feel free to send us your comments or suggestions for improvement on future upgrades to tsplayer@dspg.com. For information on licensing the TrueSpeech technology, email webster@dspg.com or visit our homepage at www.dspg.com or www.truespeech.com.
1 . OVERVIEW
The TrueSpeech Player/Plug-in is a freeware application that lets you play in real time any TrueSpeech encoded *.wav files as you download them from the World Wide Web. The Player is a "stand alone" application which does not require a connection to the internet in order to play files locally. The Plug-in feature is installed automatically to enable Netscape users to view TrueSpeech Plug-ins without special configuration. The sound is played within seconds from the moment you begin to retrieve a webpage or click on a TrueSpeech link. The TrueSpeech Player allows you to hear the sound without having to wait for the entire sound file transfer to be completed.
TrueSpeech(tm) is a family of speech compression and decompression algorithms developed by DSP Group, Inc. of Santa Clara, California. The TrueSpeech Player utilizes the TrueSpeech 8.5 algorithm. This advanced speech compression technology features low computational complexity, low memory requirements, high compression ratios and excellent voice quality. One minute of speech can be stored digitally in 64KB of memory after compression by TrueSpeech 8.5 (8.5kbps). TrueSpeech is optimized for speech, though many use it to provide musical web content as well.
Since the TrueSpeech 8.5 encoder is included in Windows(tm) 95 and NT, anyone using these operating systems may create content which is compatible with the TrueSpeech Player. For Windows 3.XX users, a free converter is available from our website at www.dspg.com/allplyr.htm. This file contains simple step-by-step instructions on how to create TrueSpeech Player/Plug-in compatible content.
2. IMPROVEMENTS IN REVISION 3.20b
* Enhanced the TrueSpeech Plug-in to play in real time. Version 3.20b is also compatible with Netscape 2.0, Navigator Gold, and Netscape 3.0. The Plug-in provides in-line web page audio control functionality.
* Except for the buttons, the TrueSpeech Plug-in is totally transparent. It even retains the web page's background color or image.
* The TrueSpeech Player supports both TrueSpeech .wav and PCM standard .wav file formats. (The Plug-in supports only TrueSpeech formatted files.)
* Small and fast. The Plug-in works on the Client side, meaning it is independent of the web server. Thus, the Plug-in control buttons load much faster than images from the web. (Compare this to other Plug-ins.)
* Supports an Autostart option so that audio can begin playing almost as soon as the web page itself is retrieved.
* Supports a Loop option so that audio can repeat until the Stop button is clicked
* Supports a Rewind button so the file can start from the beginning at any time.
* Audio files do not need to reside on the same server as the web page which contains the Truespeech links. You may specify any URL as long as it points to a .wav file. (see Creating Content).
3. PLAYING TRUESPEECH SOUND FILES IN REAL-TIME
If you have the Netcape Navigator, the installation package will automatically configure your browser to use the TrueSpeech Player.
Otherwise, configure your WWW browser to "view" files with the extension TSP by associating them with the TrueSpeech Player (TSPlayer.exe or TSPlay32.exe). See the Help Topics files contained in your browser on how to configure external viewers, or visit http://www.dspg.com/tsfaqs.htm for frequently asked questions.
For the majority of browsers, you may accomplish configuration by pointing and clicking on a TSP link file within the WWW page. When the browser prompts you, configure the external viewer as your permanent TSP file viewer. This usually has to be done only once.
Your new Player will be installed which will contain the predefined bookmarks pointing to some sample TrueSpeech files on the DSP Group, Inc. WWW page "www.dspg.com/samples/85/".
4. PAUSES DURING PLAYBACK and Other Troubleshooting
If you experience a lot of playback pauses during downloading, try to set up a bigger Initial Buffer Size. The maximum buffer size is about 32K. The Default Silence Buffer should be larger than 480 bytes. Do not lower the Initial Buffer Size to less then 1024 bytes.
Also, in the advanced/options menu, there are options to select alternative sound card sampling rate and resolution options. For some cards, it may be necessary to select a specific sampling rate and resolution type. Since there are only 8 options, try each one until you get one that works.
For a comprehensive list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and answers, please visit http://www.dspg.com/tsfaqs.htm. Please do not telephone the company for TrueSpeech Player support.
5. CREATING TRUESPEECH AUDIO FOR YOUR WEBPAGE
World Wide Web developers may immediately add TrueSpeech audio content to their pages without fee or special server software by following the 5 steps below. If you use TrueSpeech audio on your pages -- please provide us with your URL and your webpage CATEGORY so that we may include you in our Official Cool Sites Index (www.dspg.com/cool.htm). This page is updated frequently and contains over 200 TrueSpeech Sites. To add yours, please email webster@dspg.com.
The Categories are Business, Entertainment, Explore the WWW, Health, Literature, Miscellaneous, Music, Personal Pages, Radio, Religion, Sports
Please use the TrueSpeech logo to designate TrueSpeech Audio on your Webpage. The icons can be retrieved from:
The TrueSpeech compression algorithm has been optimized for 8KHz
sampling frequency with 16-bits of resolution. Recording amplitude
should be held to a maximum of 14-bits so that clipping will not
occur. For highest quality, it is essential that you record with these
settings. Any multimedia board which is a SoundBlaster╓ 16 compatible
will support this format. If your audio equipment does not support
this format, conversion utilities exist for converting to the
recommended format.
* STEP 2: CONVERT YOUR FILES To TrueSpeech Encoded .WAV Files.
To convert PCM encoded .WAV files to TrueSpeech encoded .WAV files, we
recommend you use the Sound System of Windows 95 or NT since our
product is located there. (In Windows 95, the Sound Recorder is
located at START>PROGRAMS>ACCESSORIES>MULTIMEDIA>SOUND RECORDER.)
While within the Sound Recorder, simply open the PCM encoded .WAV file
created in Step 1 above, select the TrueSpeech format, and then use
the SAVE AS command to create a new file name .WAV extension, then
CHANGE the file type to DSP Group TrueSpeech, and then SAVE. The new
.WAV file has now been encoded in TrueSpeech audio format which is
compressed by a factor of 15 from the original .WAV file. (For those
who are using Windows 3.11, a PCM to TrueSpeech Conversion utility may
be downloaded from here. This conversion utility will accept PCM
encoded .WAV files only if sampled at 8KHz/16-bit PCM format.)
* STEP 3: CREATE A SIMPLE TEXT FILE (*.TSP) which is associated with the
*.WAV File Created Above.
Use a standard text editor such as Notepad and give this file the
*.TSP extension ( * is the chosen name of your file.) This is done so
that the browser will know to launch the TrueSpeech Player when a
TrueSpeech encoded .WAV file is about to be transmitted. The *.TSP
file associated with a TrueSpeech encoded .WAV file should contain the
(case sensitive) HTML line:
TSIP>>URL/*.wav
The URL above should NOT include the "HTTP://" characters. For
example, www.dspg.com would be appropriate and HTTP://www.dspg.com
would not be. For example, let's suppose you create a PCM encoded .WAV
file and convert it to a TrueSpeech encoded .WAV file. Give this file
the name test.wav.
Next, suppose that this file is located at your server in the
directory www.home.com/audio. It is now necessary to create a one line
.tsp text file. This file should contain the following line:
TSIP>>www.home.com/audio/test.wav.
You can simply name this file test.tsp
* STEP 4: LINK THE *.TSP FILE INTO YOUR PAGE.
This .tsp text file should now be linked within your webpage to any
image or text you specify. When a visitor clicks on the test.tsp link,
the TrueSpeech Player will start. Upon spawning the player, the
TrueSpeech Player reads the location of the TrueSpeech test.wav file
from the test.tsp file. The Player then accesses and plays this
test.wav file as it is being downloaded so that you can listen in real
time.
* STEP 5: CONFIGURE YOUR SERVER to Accept the .TSP File Extension.
Because the "tsp" file extension may not be recognized by HTTP servers
running on UNIX or Windows, it should be mapped in configuration of
the server to MIME type "application/dsptype." In order to do this on
UNIX servers, only one line should be introduced in the HTTP server
configuration file MIME.TYPE as follows:
application/dsptype tsp
On the CERN HTTP Server, the configuration line should read:
AddType.tsp application/dsptype binary 1.0
If your homepage is located on a remote HTTP server, please contact
your service provider and have them make the configuration additions
listed above.
By following the five steps above, you may begin adding TrueSpeech content
to your pages immediately without fee.
If you have any technical questions, please contact us at:
tsplayer@dspg.com
6. CREATING A TRUESPEECH PLUGIN FOR YOUR WEBPAGE
* STEPS 1 & 2: These are the save as the steps above for creating TrueSpeech Player content.
* STEP 3: CREATE A SIMPLE TEXT (*.TSI) FILE which contains the URL for the TrueSpeech or PCM formatted *.wav file and save this file with the .tsi extension. Make sure that the URL does not include "http://" and that it has the .tsi extension. Here is an example from our own TrueSpeech audio files:
TSIP>>www.dspg.com/samples/85/a5.wav
You may want to create a test.tsi file which contains the line above in order to test your Plug-in first. If you have already created a *.TSP file to embed your TrueSpeech files, the process is the same--just name the text file *.TSI instead of *.TSP. (NOTE: In this version, you can have only one Plug-in per page; however, you can have an unlimited number of .TSP links on the same page.)
* STEP 4: ADD THE APPROPRIATE HYPERTEXT TO YOUR PAGE. Edit your *.html or *.htm file to add the Plug-in hypertext wherever you want the Plug-in to go on your page. (If you want the audio to begin playing upon loading of the web page, then type autostart=TRUE and if you want continuous playback, type loop=TRUE). The Plug-in hypertext tag is:
* STEP 5. CONFIGURE YOUR SERVER'S MIME.TYPE FILE to include the line
audio/tsplayer tsi
You may need to contact your system administrator to have them add it for you.
7. LICENSE AGREEMENT
DSP Group, Inc.
License Agreement
THIS IS A LEGAL AGREEMENT TO WHICH YOU ARE CONSENTING TO BE BOUND. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO ALL OF THE TERMS IN THIS LICENSE, DO NOT USE THE SOFTWARE.
1). DSP Group, Inc. ("DSPG") grants to you a non-exclusive, non-sub licensable, license to use the current version of the TrueSpeech real-time sound files player (the "Software"), in binary executable form for evaluation and trial use purposes only.
By downloading the software and using it, you are signifying your agreement to the terms of this license.
2). DSPG MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT THE SUITABILITY OF THIS SOFTWARE OR ABOUT ANY CONTENT OR INFORMATION MADE ACCESSIBLE BY THE SOFTWARE, FOR ANY PURPOSE. THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' WITHOUT EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NON INFRINGEMENT. THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED GRATUITOUSLY AND, ACCORDINGLY, DSPG SHALL NOT BE LIABLE UNDER CONTRACTOR, OR ANY OTHER THEORY FOR ANY DAMAGES SUFFERED BY YOU OR ANY USER OF THE SOFTWARE. DSPG WILL NOT SUPPORT THIS SOFTWARE AND WILL NOT ISSUE UPDATES OR CORRECTIONS TO THIS SOFTWARE.
3). All content accessed through the Software is the property of the applicable content owner and may be protected by applicable copyright law. This License gives you no rights to such content.
4). While DSPG intends to distribute a commercial release of the Software, DSPG reserves the right at any time not to release a commercial release of the Software or, if the Software is released, to alter prices, features, specifications, capabilities, functions, licensing terms, release dates, general availability or other characteristics of the commercially released software.
5). Title, ownership rights, and intellectual property rights in and to the Software shall remain in DSPG and/or its suppliers. You agree to abide by the copyright law and all other applicable laws of the United States including, but not limited to, export control laws. You acknowledge that the Software in source code form remains a confidential trade secret of DSPG and/or its suppliers and therefore you agree not to modify the Software or attempt to decipher, decompile, disassemble or reverse engineer the Software, except to the extent applicable laws specifically prohibit such restriction.
6). DSPG may terminate this License at any time by delivering notice to you and you may terminate this License at any time by destroying or erasing your copy of the Software. Upon termination of this License, or in any event within thirty (30) days following DSPG's release of a commercial version of the Software, you agree to destroy or erase the Software. In the event of termination, the following sections of this License will survive: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. This License is personal to you and you agree not to assign your rights herein. This License shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California and, as to matters affecting copyrights, trademarks and patents, by U.S. federal law. This License sets forth the entire agreement between you and DSPG.
7). Use, duplication or disclosure by the Government is subject to restrictions set forth in subparagraphs (a) through (d) of the Commercial Computer-Restricted Rights clause at FAR 52.227-19 when applicable, or in subparagraph (c) (1) (ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause at DFARS 252.227-7013.
8). This Software is for your personal use only without any distribution rights.
* * * * *
DSP Group, Inc.
3120 Scott Boulevard
Santa Clara, CA 95054-3317
Phone: (408) 986-4300
Fax: (408) 986-4323
Copyright 1996, DSP Group, Inc. All rights Reserved
DSP Group, Inc. and TrueSpeech Player are trademarks of DSP Group, Inc.
TrueSpeech is a registered trademark of DSP Group, Inc.
Microsoft and Windows in Windows 95 are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
All other trademarks and registered trademarks are those of their respective companies.
