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Discontinued EMIC Text to Speech module Hunting — Parallax Forums

Discontinued EMIC Text to Speech module Hunting

kf4ixmkf4ixm Posts: 529
edited 2012-07-03 18:29 in General Discussion
Hi all, i was wondering if someone has one of the discontinued Parallax/Grand Idea EMIC text to speech modules that they no longer use that they would be willing to sell/trade?
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Comments

  • $WMc%$WMc% Posts: 1,884
    edited 2009-12-29 00:37
    kf4ixm

    I have one and all the docs/info for it.

    What do You have to trade?

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    The Truth is out there············___$WMc%___···························· BoogerWoods, FL. USA
  • softconsoftcon Posts: 217
    edited 2011-12-06 19:57
    I realize this is an old old thread, but if there are any emic chips floating around out there, I'd really like to give some of them a home. I need to add speech output to my projects (since I can't see) so could really use some. Anyone having some, give me a shout. Alternatively, could/would parallax be willing to purchase large batches of rc systems chips (as low as $35 in bulk it says) then resell them to us for less than 89 bucks (the cost of buying one of them direct)? That might help. :) A shame the emic chips aren't produced anymore, I really like the sound of them.
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,401
    edited 2011-12-06 21:48
    Joe Grand is developing a new replacement product for the EMIC, using an Epson text to speech chip. Completion timeline is not known. The Epson processor is about 1/5th the cost of the Winbond device so I expect the price of the product to be much lower than the EMIC.

    We don't have any more of the original EMICs at Parallax.

    Ken Gracey
  • softconsoftcon Posts: 217
    edited 2011-12-07 06:06
    This is excellent news indeed. Very glad to hear this. I'll definitely be in line to purchase some of these when they're released. Thanks much for the heads up.
  • RobotWorkshopRobotWorkshop Posts: 2,307
    edited 2011-12-07 07:19
    If you need to find something now then you may want to check out the V8600A modules from RC Systems. They work well and sound great. Unlike a lot of other speech chips/modules that have come and gone over the years, these have been available for years. I have a couple very early versions and a recent one and although the chips are different they all operate the same and are compatible with each other. You can read more about them here:

    http://www.rcsys.com/modules.htm

    Robert
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,401
    edited 2011-12-07 07:58
    softcon wrote: »
    This is excellent news indeed. Very glad to hear this. I'll definitely be in line to purchase some of these when they're released. Thanks much for the heads up.

    You're welcome, but I hope that my post above vaporizes since I cause some internal trouble talking about products before they are released. :smile:
  • RobotWorkshopRobotWorkshop Posts: 2,307
    edited 2011-12-07 08:03
    I hope that the module does work out. I've looked up the specs of that new Epson speech chip and it looks great. Something based on the DECTalk is awesome. I've used the DECTalk as the voice for some robots and it is excellent. I just hope that once they are done that EPSON doesn't discontinue the chip like most of the past TTS chips....

    Robert
  • Jessica UelmenJessica Uelmen Posts: 490
    edited 2011-12-07 09:04
    Ken Gracey wrote: »
    You're welcome, but I hope that my post above vaporizes since I cause some internal trouble talking about products before they are released. :smile:

    Busted!! ;)

    We'll let it slide though, since it's really turning out to be an exciting product - it even sings!

    We'll keep you posted as it develops. But as Ken said, no release timeline as of yet.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2011-12-07 13:53
    I hope this development doesn't undo all the good I've done recently, gathering up my collection of precious vintage speech chips. No EMICs, but SPO-250, SPO-256, and Votrax. If I ever track down those Texas Instruments TMS5100 chips, they're mine. JIC, I bought a few "Speak & Spell" units off Ebay under the guise of educating the twins.
  • RobotWorkshopRobotWorkshop Posts: 2,307
    edited 2011-12-07 13:58
    @Erco, You can still fine the TMS5220 chips from time to time. If your're really in a bind to get them you can unsolder the house #'s versions out of the TI-99/4A speech module. I've done that to get replacements for an Androbot TOPO II which used the ECHO speech module (based on the TMS5220 chips.
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,401
    edited 2011-12-07 18:11
    Jessica Uelmen wrote: »
    Busted!! ;)

    We'll let it slide though, since it's really turning out to be an exciting product - it even sings!

    We'll keep you posted as it develops. But as Ken said, no release timeline as of yet.

    Apparently you don't miss a thing. Just keep it to yourself and don't let anybody [in marketing] know I've got anxious typing disorder.

    I'll quiet down a bit, I promise. Hard to break years of habit-forming activity.
  • electromanjelectromanj Posts: 270
    edited 2011-12-07 18:29
    Thanks for keeping us in the loop, Ken. I've been interested in this topic as well.

    traVis
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2011-12-07 18:29
    Ken: I want to hear more about the Propeller Laser Antigrav Module (PLAM) you mentioned at UPEW.
  • doggiedocdoggiedoc Posts: 2,245
    edited 2011-12-07 19:17
    Ken Gracey wrote: »
    Joe Grand is developing a new replacement product for the EMIC, using an Epson text to speech chip. Completion timeline is not known. The Epson processor is about 1/5th the cost of the Winbond device so I expect the price of the product to be much lower than the EMIC.

    We don't have any more of the original EMICs at Parallax.

    Ken Gracey
    I find this very exciting! I hope it comes to fruition soon.
  • GadgetmanGadgetman Posts: 2,436
    edited 2011-12-08 14:04
    Is there any soundbites anywhere that can give us any idea of the quality of the speech on the Epson chip?
    (Lets face it, most older TTS chips created sounds like a Dalek with brain damage... )
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2011-12-08 14:10
    Anything is bound to sound better than "Daddle Dot Werld...Dot" http://babblebot.net/ !!!
  • RobotWorkshopRobotWorkshop Posts: 2,307
    edited 2011-12-08 14:23
    Gadgetman wrote: »
    Is there any soundbites anywhere that can give us any idea of the quality of the speech on the Epson chip?
    (Lets face it, most older TTS chips created sounds like a Dalek with brain damage... )

    Have you heard Stephen Hawking talk before?? If the EPSON chip is based on the DECTalk like it mentions in the datasheet then that is probably what it will sound like.

    Robert
  • GadgetmanGadgetman Posts: 2,436
    edited 2011-12-08 14:31
    Aaarh!!!

    Pushing the eraser end of a pencil in an ear and wiggling it around HURTS! But if it can erase the memory of the babblebot...

    Edit:
    A Stephen Hawking soundalike may be cool... or not...
    I was thinking of using it in my car, and as that's a french car, it needs a bit of class.
  • $WMc%$WMc% Posts: 1,884
    edited 2011-12-08 20:21
    I thought Stephen Hawking was a Britt?..(English/UK)
    '
    Why does his voice sound American?..(USA)
    '
    *NOTE*( I highly respect Mr.Hawking and there is no disrespect in this post, period.)
  • kf4ixmkf4ixm Posts: 529
    edited 2012-05-01 08:24
    SAWEET!!! a little birdie told me on twitter that they are in production now, ready by the end of may or beginning of june!!! :thumb::cool:
    I have an industrial project awaiting these. i wonder if theres any chance to preorder?
  • WBA ConsultingWBA Consulting Posts: 2,935
    edited 2012-05-01 09:00
    The demo that Joe Grand had at UPEW was amazing, it is definitely worth the wait. Even though I still have an original EMIC in my "box of parts", I am planning on picking up one of the new ones. It's about a 1/3 the size as the original as well.
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2012-05-01 09:24
    I have a couple of the original Emics too. I really like them but they wont sing "Daisy" for me.

    I look forward to Joe's and Parallax's new board.
  • softconsoftcon Posts: 217
    edited 2012-05-01 11:40
    Yes, I agree, are they available for preorder? I want one (or 10), these are going to become my output on all of my projects, since video does me no good. Please, can I order one? heh. Thanks Parallax for making these units, I know for sure I'll put them to use. Glad to see they're almost ready.
  • bvelasquezbvelasquez Posts: 1
    edited 2012-06-25 13:55
    Any updates on this??
  • Invent-O-DocInvent-O-Doc Posts: 768
    edited 2012-06-26 04:01
    Yes. Anybody hear anything? The demo of this was so impressive.
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2012-06-26 08:07
    In case any of you are thinking the SpeakJet chip might be a substitute for the Emic, I'm sorry to tell you it's not.

    I played around with a SpeakJet/TTS256 combo yesterday, and found the combo didn't sound nearly as good as the Emic did.

    I'll try to get a recording of the comparison posted to the forum sometime today in case any of you are wondering about the SpeakJet chip.
  • Jessica UelmenJessica Uelmen Posts: 490
    edited 2012-06-26 09:00
    Hi all!

    The Emic II is currently in testing and will most likely be in stock by the end of the week. Will let you know as soon as they're available for sale! We're excited for this too. :]

    Cheers,
    Jessica
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2012-06-26 09:06
    Don't tell me it sounds even better than a BabbleBot! :)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=UTFMr42bWEQ#t=63s

    from http://letsmakerobots.com/node/31958
  • Invent-O-DocInvent-O-Doc Posts: 768
    edited 2012-06-26 13:38
    It certainly is a great thing to hear!!!!!

    The speakjet kind of sucks for $25 and requires either phonetic input or another expensive support chip. Can't wait for this epson-based Emic-II, I'm ready to order and already have a project in progress that needs it.
  • TymkrsTymkrs Posts: 539
    edited 2012-06-26 18:18
    Little birdies tell me that Joe and Parallax are putting the finishing touches on the website and the product should be ready very very soon!!
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