Voice Recognition Software
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Lewis & Clark
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Voice Recognition Software
So.... does anyone have any recommendations on voice recognition software? My high school age nephew is in an amazing cast and needs to find some way to write papers without typing. He's a Windows guy, so hopefully something will work on that OS.
Thanks!
Thanks!
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA 3mm Plat
Posts: 10,068
It's Dragon Naturally Speaking.
Newest version does not require "training" if you speak directly to the computer. For some reason, it still requires training if you wish it to transcribe voice files from a digital voice recorder.
Newest version does not require "training" if you speak directly to the computer. For some reason, it still requires training if you wish it to transcribe voice files from a digital voice recorder.
#6
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
Dragon. We recomend it for our people who need it, and when one of the staff busted her arm she used it here.
It's not at all expensive, $100 or so for the basic version, another $50 for the preferred. It learns quickly and most people like it.
Not sure if it comes with the headset or not, you will need one of those too.
It's not at all expensive, $100 or so for the basic version, another $50 for the preferred. It learns quickly and most people like it.
Not sure if it comes with the headset or not, you will need one of those too.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newport Beach, California, USA
Posts: 36,062
DragonSpeak is good. However, Vista has voice recognition built in that works brilliantly with Microsoft Word -- as long as you speak clearly, it will recognize natural speech, i.e. just dictate, no need to go word-at-a-time.
I wouldn't necessarily recommend getting Vista just for this feature, but if you already have it, it works great.
Note, too, that which ever solution you use, a good microphone and quiet environment is critical.
I wouldn't necessarily recommend getting Vista just for this feature, but if you already have it, it works great.
Note, too, that which ever solution you use, a good microphone and quiet environment is critical.
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA 3mm Plat
Posts: 10,068
DragonSpeak is good. However, Vista has voice recognition built in that works brilliantly with Microsoft Word -- as long as you speak clearly, it will recognize natural speech, i.e. just dictate, no need to go word-at-a-time.
I wouldn't necessarily recommend getting Vista just for this feature, but if you already have it, it works great.
Note, too, that which ever solution you use, a good microphone and quiet environment is critical.
I wouldn't necessarily recommend getting Vista just for this feature, but if you already have it, it works great.
Note, too, that which ever solution you use, a good microphone and quiet environment is critical.
In an office, "dictation voice" and compared to theatrical voice? It is great.
#10
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Really? I can't get the darn thing to understand a word I'm saying. It just keeps saying "what did you mean". The few things it does recognize are 100% incorrect.
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newport Beach, California, USA
Posts: 36,062
The microphone makes a huge difference. I was testing it with a very good recording mike, and it worked perfectly. It worked almost as well with a hard-wired boom mike of the type that Teacher49 is describing. I also tried it with my Bluetooth headset, but that didn't work at all.
#12




Join Date: Feb 2000
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Dragon is really the ONLY voice recognition program today, the IBM VIAVOICE is not even a contendor in the market and there isn't another product. Nuance is coming out with their own product soon though, not sure what that will bring.
I use DICTATE on the mac as well for parents, which is not based on the dragon VR engine. Really took it to 97-98% accuracy.
I use DICTATE on the mac as well for parents, which is not based on the dragon VR engine. Really took it to 97-98% accuracy.
#14
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I just got Dragon Naturally Speaking based on this thread. I installed it on an XP virtual machine on an iMac. I have a good quality USB microphone and am very pleasantly surprised with the accuracy and editing ability. I had a couple earlier versions and this one seems much better.

