Create a complete, inspectable episode rather than generating audio directly from an unchecked summary.
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Read the paper. Extract metadata, research question, method, essential variables, main results, author-stated limitations, and figure/table locations. Render and inspect the PDF pages when layout or figures matter.
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Build an evidence sheet. Record every publishable number and claim with a page, section, figure, or table anchor. Separate model results, empirical observations, author interpretations, and later criticism. Read references/evidence-rules.md.
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Plan the episode. Default to a 3–6 minute Chinese dialogue. Give the host concrete beginner questions and the explainer direct technical answers. Read references/dialogue-style.md.
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Create episode.json. Follow references/episode-schema.md. Attach a source anchor, visual, and key point to every spoken segment.
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Audit before speech. Check names, numbers, equations, causal wording, pronunciations, and whether each visual supports the current line. Do not synthesize an unverified draft.
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Synthesize and assemble. Run:
python3 scripts/build_episode.py \
--episode /absolute/path/to/episode.json \
--output /absolute/path/to/output-folder
Prefer the free Edge neural backend for finished previews. Install it once with python3 -m pip install edge-tts imageio-ffmpeg, then run with --tts edge. It needs internet but no API key. Use --max-scenes 4 for a short voice check before synthesizing the full episode. The auto mode chooses Edge when both commands are available, otherwise it falls back to macOS say and afconvert. Use --no-audio only when neither backend is available.
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Inspect the HTML. Open index.html; check voice identity, subtitle timing, image crops, text wrapping, mobile layout, keyboard playback, and reduced-motion behavior. Read references/visual-style.md.
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Export the approved video. After approving the HTML and voices, run:
python3 scripts/export_video.py \
--episode-folder /absolute/path/to/output-folder \
--output /absolute/path/to/output-folder/podcast.mp4
Export a 1080×1440 H.264 MP4 with the complete 3:4 card background, translucent subtitle glass, active-speaker badges, evidence anchors, and synchronized audio.
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Deliver the package. Include index.html, podcast.wav, podcast.mp4, subtitles.srt, timing.json, episode.json, 双人讲稿.md, and source-map.md.