Epub in Calibre to speech

[Marcs1102]

I've Combined/Condensed the posts in this area, and am trying to post simple instructs/steps
i'd appreciate any comments (and CONSTRUCTIVE criticism) to make this simpler/more understandable

Included as a readme.txt on my archive uploads....
First this Archive/Torrent read me/Post assumes (requires) a few (free) things, and attempts to provide answers/instructs

one, calibre as a library manager
(download at http://calibre-ebook.com/)
second, the free VLC Player
(download at http://www.videolan.org/vlc
and set your registry to open .zab files with vlc)
third, the free reader/speaker/speechifier/TTS of epub format ebooks
Download at (http://www.cross-plus-a.com/balabolka.htm
fourth, the free calibre plugin "open with"
(sorry no quick/easy download url but this mobileread page has the plugin zip, and instructs to install
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=118761)
(lets you run an program from within calibre....
add it to the context menu, so It can run programs (from within Calibre) while displaying a library/database/book entry,
IE - right click and run the program pointed to by the plugin setup)
fifth, using the above (free plugin), edit the "run with" plug in to add two entries
a "Play Audiobook" (for format zab/path to vlc)
a "Read Epub" (for format epub/path to balabolka)

now you have a calibre library manager that not only handles Ebooks, but also Zipped Audio Books ((as .zab format))
(in my opinion Best of Both Worlds)



FAQ's

What is a ZAB file extension
ZAB = (Z)ipped (A)udio (B)ook
so I just zip the file and rename the .zip extensions to .zab

Why not just zip?
I use Calibre, and it thinks that .zip files are zipped Ebooks
(i use both Audio and E books, so I needed a unique file type for Zipped Audio Books, )

WHY the VLC player?
At the moment, this is the only (free) player that handles zipped/compressed files well...
when a file type is set to play with vlc, it (vlc) ignores other things in the compressed file when playing
(like text JPG etc in the compressed file)



Any Comments or Questions (or suggested revisions) Marc@MarcAlan.Info

I do also have a full browser accessible file server (IP address keeps changing, email me for current access/ip address)

[DoctorOhh]

Thanks for sharing this solution for epub to speech.

Originally Posted by Marcs1102

bad news made in finland (apparently the us market can't do something useful for free)

In many forums comments such as quoted above would be considered troll bait, but I'm betting they are just innocent remarks written without the intention of inciting either Finnish or Americans into a flame war so I won't comment on them further.

Again for the info I'm sure it will be very helpful and if this can be incorporated into calibre's reader that will be a big step for many.

[Marcs1102]

Originally Posted by Marcs1102

I wanted to listen to my written calibre epubs as speech..

finally found a prog that actually lets you open an epub and "speechify" it...

Good news, it's free!

http://www.cross-plus-a.com/balabolka.htm


when you run the balabolka prog you simply open the epub and play it

next step, hope to add it as a key combo to calibre itself

wasn't able to find a way to add it to the calibre menu itself, but it (balabooka) DOES add itself to the right click context menu, so you can smaller view both calibre and the directory (right click the epub file and play)

[fidvo]

You can also use the "Open With" plugin to send books directly to Balabolka with a right-click option in the library.

[Marcs1102]

Originally Posted by Marcs1102

I wanted to listen to my written calibre epubs as speech..

finally found a prog that actually lets you open an epub and "speechify" it...

http://www.cross-plus-a.com/balabolka.htm

when you run the balabolka prog you simply open the epub and play it

next step, hope to add it as a key combo to calibre itself

UPDATE

another user here (kiwidude) turned me on to the plugin "open with"
(sorry no url but this mobileread page has the plugin zip and instructs to install
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=118761)
(lets you run an program from within calibre, I added it to the context menu, so I can be displaying my database/books, right click and select "open with" and it READS the book to me... really cool ((and handy since my eyes are failing))

[toomuchreading]

Coolreader2 also has tts capability, although only for FB2 format. Not a problem for Calibre, since books can be converted to it. All you have to have is voices installed. Most windows systems have the default Microsoft voices installed. You can use the Open With plugin, same as above.
I like having more than one option available.