Windows MP3 helper programs

Read Text can use helper programs to save audio files using MP3 and other formats.

iTunes

iTunes is a visual music manager from Apple available at no cost from the Apple iTunes website or from the Windows 10 and 11 store. This application allows you to convert sound to different formats. Read Text can use iTunes to convert sound files with metadata and album cover art. The first time you use iTunes it can take a moment to start. iTunes creates an audio file in it's own directory and signals you with a sound. Read Text Extension puts a copy in a sound directory in your home directory.

Examples

"(TTS_WSCRIPT_VBS)" /language:"en-US" /soundfile:"(HOME)en\(NOW).aif" "(TMP)"

"(TTS_WSCRIPT_VBS)" /language:"en-US" /soundfile:"(HOME)en\(NOW).m4a" "(TMP)"

"(TTS_WSCRIPT_VBS)" /language:"en-US" /soundfile:"(HOME)en\(NOW).mp3" "(TMP)"

FFmpeg

ffmpeg is a free media converter. To use ffmpeg, install it or link to it in C:\opt\ffmpeg.exe.

Examples

"(TTS_WSCRIPT_VBS)" /use-optional-app:"True" /soundfile:"(HOME)en\(NOW).mp3" "(TMP)"

"(TTS_WSCRIPT_VBS)" /use-optional-app:"True" /soundfile:"(HOME)en\(NOW).ogg" "(TMP)"

Flac

FLAC is a file format that uses free lossless audio codecs.

• Install flac.exe in C:\opt\

• Get flac encoder

• About Players and plugins

Example

"(TTS_WSCRIPT_VBS)" /use-optional-app:"True" /soundfile:"(HOME)en\(NOW).flac" "(TMP)"

Lame

LAME (Lame Ain't an MP3 Encoder) is an open source project that creates MP3 compatible audio files with options to specify compression and psychoacoustic properties.

LAME is an educational tool to be used for learning about MP3 encoding.

-- About LAME. LAME Project. (2020).

To use LAME with Read Text in Windows:

• Install lame.exe in C:\opt\

• About lame encoder

Example

"(TTS_WSCRIPT_VBS)" /use-optional-app:"True" /soundfile:"(HOME)en\(NOW).mp3" "(TMP)"

OggEnc

OGG is a file format that uses free audio codecs.

Play ogg encoded sound files with Firefox and browsers based on the Chromium platform, like Chrome and Edge. Use oggenc.exe or oggenc2.exe to make an ogg file.

• The ogg converter program must be installed in C:\opt\.

• oggenc2 encoder

• About players and plugins

Example

"(TTS_WSCRIPT_VBS)" /use-optional-app:"True" /soundfile:"(HOME)en\(NOW).ogg" "(TMP)"

VideoLan VLC

VideoLan VLC is is a free and open source cross-platform multimedia player and framework that plays most multimedia files as well as DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols.

You can use Read Text Extension with VLC to create compact audio files like MP3, OGG and OPUS.

• The VLC desktop application is available for ARM, ARM 64, WIN32 and WIN64 computers. Be sure to download the desktop version that matches your computer.

• The Windows Store version of VLC does not work with Read Text Extension.

• When you use VLC, Read Text Extension exports do not include metadata like author, album and track information.

Example

"(TTS_WSCRIPT_VBS)" /use-optional-app:"True" /soundfile:"(HOME)en\(NOW).mp3" "(TMP)"