FAQ Frequently Asked Questions

What is Speech-Over ?

Speech-Over is a software application that can create a professional-sounding narration for a PowerPoint® presentation based on text input only by using text-to-speech voices. The choice of the name “Speech-Over” was inspired by “voice-over”, the off-screen recorded narrations in the movies. Microphone recording and audio file import can be used as well.

Can people really learn effectively from text-to-speech voices and can they retain what they learn?

The latest state-of-the-art TTS voices excel in accuracy, clarity and consistency, making them very effective for e-learning and training. Our customers report 100% acceptance by students. And, comparative testing by our customers shows that retention is the same with TTS voices as with human voice-overs. You can correct pronunciation and introduce rhetorical pauses for more eloquent speech.

What are the system requirements?

Speech-Over 4

  • Microsoft® Windows XP, Vista®, Win 7, Win 8
  • Microsoft Office/PowerPoint XP, 2003, 2007
  • Microsoft .NET Framework® 2.0

Speech-Over 5

  • Microsoft Office/PowerPoint 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 365 with 201X,
  • Microsoft .NET Framework® 4.0
  • RAM: 256 MB
  • Free disk space: 10 MB
  • Processor: Pentium 3 (or equivalent) or higher
  • Microphone if you are using dictation
  • TTS voices must be SAPI 5 compatible

What versions of PowerPoint does Speech-Over support?

Speech-Over Professional runs in PowerPoint XP, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 365 with 201X. Speech-Over Professional runs as an add-in for PowerPoint and appears in the PowerPoint menu bar or ribbon.

How do I get started with Speech-Over?

You can view talking tutorial presentations in which explain the basics. The commands are simple and intuitive and the learning curve is short.

Where do I get text-to-speech voices?

You install text-to-speech voices like any other software product. Speech-Over works with the SAPI-standard high-quality voices available from vendors. Speech-Over comes with the premium voices Tracy and Rod from Acapela Group and you can purchase additional Acapela voices on our site.

Can I share the narrated presentations with people that do not have Speech-Over installed?

Yes, the Speech-Over narrations use standard PowerPoint features and the narrated presentations can be heard by anyone who has PowerPoint or PowerPoint Viewer. And, videos produced from presentations narrated with Speech-Over can be viewed on any browser.

How do I convert narrated presentations into narrated videos for the web?

PowerPoint 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019 can save the narrated presentations as narrated videos in wmv and mp4 format. For any PowerPoint, you can convert the narrated presentations into Flash or other video formats for the web with tools that recognize PowerPoint media effects, like Camtasia®, Captivate®, Articulate® and iSpring® .

How does Speech-Over create narrations without recording them?

Narrations are generated from text input by text-to-speech synthesis using a SAPI speech engine. Read more about text-to-speech.

How do I enter the text for each screen object?

You just select the screen object, hit the Add or Edit button and the Add Narration Clip dialog opens. Enter text by either typing it in, or you can dictate the text into a microphone and Speech-Over Professional voice recognition will enter the text on the dialog where you can edit it if you wish.

Can I synchronize the narration with objects on the PowerPoint screen?

Speech-Over does that for you. The narration is automatically synchronized with the PowerPoint screen object for which you entered the text. When the screen object is animated you hear the narration for that object.

How do I install Speech-Over?

Installing Speech-Over  is easy: simply run the download .exe file. When you purchase the product, you enter the registration code during installation, making sure your Internet connection is open.

Can I use Speech-Over with my existing PowerPoint presentations?

Yes. If your presentations already have animation effects, Speech-Over Professional will add narration media effects and subtitles to the existing animation effects. For new presentations, or ones not animated, Speech-Over Professional adds the animations as well.

How do I get support?

Support is by E-mail at support@speechover.com. Response time to support calls is one business day.

Are the voices licensed for commercial applications?

The voices provided with Speech-Over Professional come with a special license that allows you to use them in business and corporate applications. This is the reason they are more expensive than voices that come with a personal license that allows home and personal use only.