Make Your PC Speak with a Human Voice

ClaroRead speaks back text as it is typed, allowing a student to check and proof-read their work quickly and easily. Text can be spoken at any point by highlighting individual sections of text and pressing Play – great for proofreading.

Close integration with Microsoft Word 2003, 2007, 2010, and Internet Explorer 6 to 9 means you can click and play at any point in a document or web page.

Two Nuance Vocalizer voices for the most natural and realistic sounding human voices. The Australian English male (Vocalizer Lee) and female (Vocalizer Karen) human-sounding voices give clarity and dispense with the robotic quality of most computer voices.

Spoken words can be tracked using a custom colour selection. Any accessible text under the mouse can be spoken if needed.

A unique feature allows all versions of ClaroRead to echo back words and phrases dictated into any text processor or email application using Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 or higher (any version).

A Text to Speech Pronunciation Dictionary is available to modify the way words are pronounced if needed.

Speak This Word: Allows the user to hear a single word spoken back in their desired voice, simply by holding the CTRL button ClaroRead V5 will speak the word under the mouse pointer.

Make Audio Files

Turn text files/documents into digital audio files for listening on your PC or a portable audio player (WAV, WMA and OGG formats supported). Simply Select and Save – great for revision or listening on the move. Audio quality has been further improved for V5.

Send to iTunes Function

ClaroRead now includes a ‘Send to iTunes’ function. If iTunes is installed on the PC, users can send selected text as audio files to iTunes. These files can be named, indexed and organised easily. The created audio files can be uploaded to an iPod or iPhone for listening on the go.

ClaroRead Extras

ClaroRead Extras neatly groups together a range of accessibility utilities including: ClaroView screen colour filter, ScreenRuler magnification tool, Speaking Calculator, Accessible PDF, and ClaroCapture research tool. Existing and future ClaroRead users can visit www.claroreadextras.com to obtain product updates, free downloads, add-on products and support information.

Research and capture information

The new ClaroCapture V2 program included with ClaroRead V5 lets you collect text from any document and web page, grouping it as a project file. The research file can be sent to Word or PowerPoint. It can also extract highlighted text from Microsoft Word documents. A great study skills tool. ClaroCapture Trial version is available for download.
Read more about ClaroCapture.

Save to Video

Building on the popularity of the Save to Audio feature in all versions of ClaroRead, Claro Software have now enhanced this to produce Save to Video. It is now possible to convert any text into a video with a high quality “voice over” synchronised with the text. You can change the text colour settings to your preferences and the video can be produced to suit a wide range of popular mobile devices with video screens – iPhone, iPod Touch and Nano, Nokia and Walkman phones and of course Media Player software. It is quick and easy to do, allowing you to take your documents and web pages with you on the move.

Accessible PDF

ClaroRead has always allowed PDF files to be spoken aloud, and also converted into Microsoft Word format with the PLUS edition. Version 5 now gives the user more options for PDF files to be spoken aloud, so a standalone Accessible PDF reader is included, which is available as a free download for anyone. The Claro Accessible PDF Reader will convert accessible PDF Files into a web page style retaining the original format and layout or a simple text only view. You can then change any of the colour, font and spacing using the built in controls, and ClaroRead will speak back the text aloud.

Simplify and Integrate with Microsoft Word 2003, 2007 and 2010

ClaroRead provides a single tool bar for use in Microsoft Word that combines a Homophone and tricky word dictionary, font and spacing commands, a thesaurus, spell checker button and a save to audio function. All have clear graphic icons for ease of recognition.

Make Reading in Word Easier on the Eyes

Ease of use is enhanced by a variety of simple controls for font selection, text size, character, line and paragraph spacing, and use of colours. When working in Microsoft Word, ClaroRead’s Font Button allows you to modify the font size, type, and colour of the whole document very easily. You can:

• Increase or decrease the font size
• Change the font to one of 3 popular fonts with one click. The fonts can be chosen in the new ClaroRead Advanced Settings Editor
• Change the colour of the text of a whole document
• Change the background colour of your PC easily.

Quickly Adjust Spacing

Text character, line and paragraph spacing using Microsoft Word menus requires some detailed knowledge. ClaroRead makes it simple to space out text, both in Word and on web pages using Internet Explorer 6 to 9. Pressing the Spacing Button when working in Word or Internet Explorer will help you:

• Expand spacing
• Change line spacing
• Changes the number of points (spaces) after the end of each paragraph.

Word Prediction

ClaroRead contains a word prediction feature, which can be useful for certain computer users. ClaroRead uses a base prediction dictionary consisting of the most frequently used words in the English language. The dictionary learns as you type, and rejects words that don’t pass the automatic spell-check.

The Prediction List will automatically appear by your cursor during typing. Alternatively, you can dock the Prediction windows anywhere on the screen to use it as a reference.

The ClaroRead Advanced Settings Editor now allows the creation of multiple Prediction Dictionaries, by importing words from existing documents. Ideal for creating subject and curriculum specific dictionaries, it puts the tool into the hands of the teacher.

Homophones and Tricky Words Support – Helping You Choose the Word

Homophones are words that are pronounced alike even if they differ in spelling or meaning, such as “pair” and “pear”. The ClaroRead Homophone feature will:

• Mark in colour all the homophones and confusable words in a document. Using the new Advanced Settings Editor, you can also add additional tricky and confusable words.
• The Check Feature will list alternative words that sound the same, along with the meaning of each word
• Mark homophones in colour as you type.
• Word with Pictures: Over a thousand pictures included in ClaroRead, helping users to select the correct homophone or choice of wording. Pictures can be turned on or off.

Make Word Checking Easier

ClaroRead provides a single Check Button for use in Microsoft Word that combines a homophone dictionary, thesaurus, reference dictionary and spell checker, making the checking of your text and documents easier and more comprehensive.

• If a word is a homophone the Homophone Check Box will appear, along with meanings;
• If the word has alternative words with the same or similar meaning, the Meaning Check Box will appear.

You can then view more to see the dictionary definition. You can Spell-Check individual words or the whole of your document at any point.

The Check Boxes are fully speech enabled, so hovering the mouse over the words will make them speak. There are over 2000 picture icons to help with word meanings.

Talking Calculator

ClaroRead adds a voice to the Windows Calculator.
Enter the sum with the numeric keyboard and the figures will be echoed back to you.

The buttons on a standard and scientific calculator can also be spoken, providing the speech settings are enabled. In addition, figures from Microsoft Excel can be spoken when using the cursor keys to move around.

ScreenRuler Magnification Software

ClaroRead (all editions) now includes ScreenRuler V3, Claro Software’s strip magnification software.

ScreenRuler is a separate application that works as a reading bar and strip magnifier. This allows part of the PC screen to be highlighted and magnified in a horizontal band.

This will assist anyone with viewing and concentrating on text or objects. It provides a ‘strip’ or ‘ruler’ across the screen which can magnify, change contrast, and ‘grey’ or ‘dim’ a background.

ClaroView Software

ClaroView is now included with all editions of ClaroRead. ClaroView acts as a coloured overlay for the PC.

In addition to all the ClaroRead Standard features above, ClaroRead PLUS includes:

• Scan Paper or PDF files into Word

  ClaroRead PLUS contains powerful optical character recognition (OCR) technology making any paper document or PDF file accessible. Through the integration of OmniPage 17 OCR engine, textbooks, photocopies and handouts are easily converted into Word documents. The text can then be spoken out by ClaroRead or edited. PDF files can also be unlocked and edited, opening a wealth of material for accessibility to every student, regardless of the format.

  The Preview function lets you add, delete and re-order scanned areas, alter page orientation and other settings. The highest quality Optical Character Recognition is now included in ClaroRead Plus and Premium, making it ideal for scanning or converting books, articles and other content to become accessible, readable and editable.

  This feature works with all TWAIN or WIA compatible scanners.

  Click here to see the Scan 2 Text process.
  

• Unlocks access to PDF files by converting them into Microsoft Word editable documents.
  
• Lets you save and convert documents to an accessible PDF, with highlighting features in Adobe Reader.
  
• Included with ClaroRead Plus and Pro are 8 Nuance Vocalizer voices and 2 RealSpeak voices. The voices included are:
  • Nuance Vocalizer Daniel (British English)
  • Nuance Vocalizer Serena (British English
  • Nuance Vocalizer Lee (Australian English)
  • Nuance Vocalizer Karen (Australian English)
  • Nuance Vocalizer Tom (American English)
  • Nuance Vocalizer Sangeeta (Indian English)
  • Nuance Vocalizer Fiona (Scottish English)
  • Nuance Vocalizer Moira (Irish English)
  • Nuance RealSpeak Daniel (British English)
  • Nuance RealSpeak Serena (British English)
    

With the ClaroRead Premium package, you receive:

• ClaroRead PLUS on DVD-ROM
• A portable version of ClaroRead Standard on USB memory stick – Runs directly from the memory stick on any PC – no files installed. Includes two UK RealSpeak Voice. (Does not include Australian Vocalizer voices)
• USB Exporter tool. Exporter is designed to allow you to synchronise settings for Claro products between your computer and USB stick. This is a great feature for people who move about between shared computers and dont want to have to set up their settings everytime. This tool is a free download.

As well as including all the features found in ClaroRead Plus, ClaroRead Pro features improved scanning and proofing options. ClaroRead Pro allows users to read a book on-screen exactly as it would appear if the text were in their hands. ClaroRead Pro scans and converts any publication into an on-screen PDF that can be read out loud in a human sounding voice within Adobe Reader with full colour highlighting. New PDF unlocking features and OCR proofing capabilities have further boosted ClaroRead’s power. ClaroRead Pro is the simplest and most affordable way to get any newspaper, magazine, novel or leaflet online in its original format – for everyone to read and listen.

ClaroRead Pro includes:

• Scanned word proofing feature will flag any word that the scanning software is unsure about for verification, improving the accuracy of the outputted document.
• Superior character matching to reduce editing time including font matching, font consolidation, size, bold, italics and colour background.
• Choose from a range of output options including Microsoft Word, ClaroRead PDF and HTML files.
• Save to iTunes functionality. If iTunes is installed on the PC, users can send selected text as audio files to iTunes. These files can be named, indexed and organised easily. The created audio files can be uploaded to an iPod or iPhone for listening on the go.
• Full Internet Explorer 9 Support.
• Included with ClaroRead Plus and Pro are 8 Nuance Vocalizer voices and 2 RealSpeak voices. The voices included are:
  • Nuance Vocalizer Daniel (British English)
  • Nuance Vocalizer Serena (British English
  • Nuance Vocalizer Lee (Australian English)
  • Nuance Vocalizer Karen (Australian English)
  • Nuance Vocalizer Tom (American English)
  • Nuance Vocalizer Sangeeta (Indian English)
  • Nuance Vocalizer Fiona (Scottish English)
  • Nuance Vocalizer Moira (Irish English)
  • Nuance RealSpeak Daniel (British English)
  • Nuance RealSpeak Serena (British English)

ClaroRead Pro Preview Function

The ClaroRead Pro Preview function allows users to preview the document before it is proofread and converted. The Preview window can be used to edit the look and layout of the finished document.

The Preview window can:

• Add or delete images from the document
• Add or delete text areas from the document
• Setup the order that text is read back using ClaroRead Pro

ClaroRead Pro Scanned Word Proofing Function

The Scanned Word Proofing window allows users to proofread the document before it is saved. The proofing process verifies that the text character recognition has worked correctly. Any characters that may have been converted incorrectly will be flagged up for inspection.

The Scanned Word Proofing window can:

• Enable users to edit the converted document before saving
• Automatically proofread the document and flag any words that may have been converted incorrectly

Once the proofing process is complete the document can be saved in a variety of formats including:

Text Formats:

• Claro PDF (.pdf)
• HTML document (.htm)
• Microsoft Excel documents (.xls + .xlsx)
• Microsoft Word documents (.doc, .docx)
• Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 (.pptx)
• Microsoft Reader (.lit)
• WordPad files (.rtf)
• Text Files (.txt)
• Unicode Text – Comma Separated (.csv)
• eBook (.opf)
• XML files (.xml)
• XPS files (.xps)

Image Formats:

• Tag Image File (.tif)
• Windows Bitmap (.bmp)
• Multi-page PaintBrush (.dcx)
• CompuServe Bitmap (.gif)
• HD Photo Image (.hdp)
• JBIG 2 Bitmap (.jb2)
• JPEG 2000 Bitmap (.jp2)
• JPEG Bitmap (.jpg)
• PaperPort Image (.max)
• PaintBrush (.pcx)
• PDF Image (.pdf)
• Portable Network Graphics (.png)
• XPS Image (.xps)

• Windows
  • Operating System: Windows 7, Vista, XP (compatible with 64-bit Editions)
  • Memory: 1 GB RAM
  • Hard Disk Space: 250 MB (60 – 140 MB hard disk space required for each Realspeak Voice required)
  • Sound Card: Required with headphones or speakers
  • Recommended software: Microsoft Word 2003, 2007 or 2010; Internet Explorer 6, 7 or higher, including IE 9
  • ClaroRead PLUS/Scan2Text requires scanner with TWAIN or WIA-driver support. Click here for a list of compatible scanners (select OmniPage 17)
  • DVD drive

View/Download

• Literacy Support Software Comparison Chart
  
• ClaroRead PLUS V5 for Windows Brochure (314 KB)
  
• ClaroRead PRO V5.7 Trial version (from Claro Software website, includes one UK RealSpeak voice, Daniel)
  
• ClaroRead PLUS V5.7 Trial version (from Claro Software website, includes one UK RealSpeak voice, Daniel)
  
• ClaroRead Standard V5.7 Trial version (from Claro Software website, includes one UK RealSpeak voice, Daniel)
  
• ClaroRead V5.7 Online Manual
  
• ClaroRead V5.7 User Guide (4.7 MB)
  
• ClaroRead V5 Case Study (1.5 MB)