HTML5 Audio Description (via text to speech)

This extension plays audio description track elements of HTML5 videos via Chrome text to speech extension.
What is HTML5 Audio Description (via text to speech)?
HTML5 Audio Description (via text to speech) is a Chrome extension that enhances the accessibility of HTML5 videos. The extension plays audio description track elements of these videos using Chrome's text-to-speech capabilities, enabling users to enjoy video content in a comprehensive and accessible way. It's an ideal tool for users not using screenreaders or whose screenreader does not support the alternative extension. Language support depends on the installed text-to-speech voices on your system. An open-source project from Axs-Chrome that is committed to enhancing web accessibility.

Extension stats

Users: 2,000+
Rating: 3.65 (34)
Version: 1 (Last updated: 2012-08-10)
Creation date: 2012-08-10
Risk impact: Moderate risk impact
Risk likelihood: Low risk likelihood
Manifest version: 2
Permissions:
  • <all_urls>
  • tts
Size: 24.15K

Other platforms

Not available on Firefox
Not available on Edge
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Extension summary

IMPORTANT: Please activate the “Enable <track> element” experiment in chrome://flags/ This experiment MUST be enabled for the extension to work.

This extension plays audio description track elements of HTML5 videos via the Chrome text to speech extension. For the extension that plays via screenreader, https://chrome.google.com/webstore/a/google.com/detail/mipjggdmdaagfmpnomakdcgchdcgfbdg

Use this extension if you are not using any screenreaders or are using a screenreader that does not support the other extension, "HTML5 Audio Description (via screen reader)" https://chrome.google.com/webstore/a/google.com/detail/mipjggdmdaagfmpnomakdcgchdcgfbdg. and still want audio descriptions. Also works well as a developer tool. Note: - this extension doesn't use screenreaders to render the audio descriptions, so there may be a possibility of overlap in speech of this extension and speech of the screenreader.

By default, Chrome will speak using your operating system's built-in speech synthesis (available on Windows, Mac OS X, and Chrome OS), or you can install additional text to speech voice extensions from the Chrome Web Store.

Languages supported:

  • depends on text to speech voices installed on your system

Keyboard shorcuts: For keyboard shortcuts, press alt + h while on a webpage or alt + ? while focused on a video; or refer to the options page of the extension.

This is part of the Axs-Chrome open-source project http://code.google.com/p/google-axs-chrome/, which supports extensions that enhance accessibility. You can submit feedback to the Axs-Chrome discussion group: https://groups.google.com/group/axs-chrome-discuss?pli=1

User reviews

These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews. Chrome Web Store does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate, spammy, or outdated.
Pros
  • Works perfectly with HTML5 description tracks.
  • very nice
Cons
  • Doesn't read any text.
  • No button is provided for the speech.
  • Unclear instructions on how to use it.
  • Many users report it doesn't work as intended.
Most mentioned
  • Doesn't read any text, and no button is provided for the speech!
  • What kind of Extension is this???? I've selected the text, but there is no option to tell this mediocre app to read it for me!
  • how to use it ? i tried everything
  • unclear instructions
Recent reviews
Doesn't read any text, and no button is provided for the speech!

Works perfectly with HTML5 description tracks.
by Matthew Simpson, 2019-02-06

Don't work
by Fábio Souza, 2017-11-22
View all user reviews

Extension safety

Risk impact

HTML5 Audio Description (via text to speech) requires a few sensitive permissions. Exercise caution before installing.

Risk likelihood

HTML5 Audio Description (via text to speech) has earned a fairly good reputation and likely can be trusted.

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Promo images

HTML5 Audio Description (via text to speech) small promo image
Small promo image

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