[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "https%3A%2F%2Fgithub.com%2Fdavidacm%2FNVDA-IBMTTS-Driver%20adds%20ibm%20tts%2Feloquence%20capability%20to%20nvda%20but%20does%20not%20specify%20where%20exactly%20to%20get%20the%20ibmtts%20package%20itself"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Here\u2019s what I found out about obtaining the IBMTTS (Eloquence) *libraries* needed by the NVDA IBMTTS/Eloquence driver, since the driver itself doesn\u2019t include them for legal reasons:\n\n---\n\n## 1. What exactly is missing\n\n- The driver add-on \u201cNVDA-IBMTTS-Driver\u201d (developed by David CM) implements support inside NVDA for the IBMTTS (Eloquence) speech synthesizer. However, it **does not include the actual synthesizer libraries** (e.g. `ibmeci.dll` or `eci.dll`, plus associated files). ([github.com](https://github.com/davidacm/NVDA-IBMTTS-Driver?utm_source=openai))  \n- The reason given is licensing: distributing the proprietary libraries would violate rights, so you must obtain them separately. ([github.com](https://github.com/davidacm/NVDA-IBMTTS-Driver?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## 2. Where to get the libraries (legally)\n\nHere are the legal ways to obtain the Eloquence / IBMTTS libraries:\n\n1. **Via old installations/software you own**  \n   If you already own a version of software that included Eloquence or IBM ViaVoice TTS (for example, older versions where Eloquence was included), you can reuse the library DLLs you already have. Many users have `eci.dll` or similar from previous installations. ([reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/Blind/comments/vkakqm?utm_source=openai))\n\n2. **Licensing from the vendor**  \n   For current, fully legal use, you would need to obtain a license from the vendor who owns or distributes Eloquence/ETI or IBM ViaVoice. That typically means purchasing the software or obtaining the library files via a legitimate source. ETI / Code Factory / IBM have offered Eloquence, but availability may depend on region or product. (I did *not* find a current vendor direct-download free option that\u2019s clearly legal.)\n\n3. **Community builds / modified \u201ccommunity versions\u201d**  \n   There *are* community-modified or re-distributed versions out there, often bundled with Chinese or Spanish translations, but:\n   - These are **not guaranteed legal**, especially if the original license prohibits redistribution.  \n   - They may be incomplete, unstable, or led to compatibility issues.  \n   For example, the Chinese community version \u201cIBMTTS\u8bed\u97f3\u5408\u6210\u5668-23.12.1-\u4e2d\u6587\u793e\u533a\u7248\u201d includes built-in voices, but is a modified version. ([nvdacn.com](https://www.nvdacn.com/index.php/archives/852/?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## 3. How to install the libraries once you have them\n\nOnce you have obtained the required library files, here\u2019s how to use them with the driver:\n\n- In NVDA, go to **Preferences \u2192 Settings \u2192 IBMTTS** (this is a new category added by the driver). There is a button like *\u201cBrowse for IBMTTS library\u2026\u201d* which you can use to point to the DLL (like `ibmeci.dll` or `eci.dll`) from wherever you got them. ([github.com](https://github.com/davidacm/NVDA-IBMTTS-Driver?utm_source=openai))  \n- After selecting the library, accept the settings and restart NVDA. Then choose IBMTTS as your synthesizer under NVDA\u2019s speech (or \u201cGeneral \u2192 Speech\u201d) settings. ([github.com](https://github.com/davidacm/NVDA-IBMTTS-Driver?utm_source=openai))  \n- For portable versions or to avoid losing the libraries when the driver updates, there is an option **\u201cCopy IBMTTS files in an add-on\u201d** which copies the library files into a separate add-on (`eciLibraries`) and sets the driver to use them from there. That way, the libraries are preserved even if the driver add-on gets updated. ([github.com](https://github.com/davidacm/NVDA-IBMTTS-Driver?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## 4. What I *didn't* find\n\n- I did **not** find any official source that offers **free, legal downloads** of the Eloquence/IBMTTS library for users who do *not* already own or license the product.  \n- I did *not* find current pricing/licensing details from a vendor relating explicitly to just the Eloquence DLLs for NVDA, aside from older products.\n\n---\n\nIf you like, I can try to look up whether there is a **legal place today** (in the U.S. or region you\u2019re in) where you *can purchase* the Eloquence library package for NVDA\u2014would you want me to do that?"
    }
]