Voice recognition software

[SwordsMaster]

Hi all,

I need to get myself a good voice recognition software suite so I can dictate directly into text form - carpal tunnel is not as fun as it sounds. I know there are several packages out there, but from what I saw I haven't seen any that are particularly thrilling. Maybe I should have taken more time to set it up.

I have a standard microphone setup, so no option for any kind of hi-def/recording studio equipment. Also my budget doesn't really allow for CERN/military grade equipment, but I'm willing to spend up to a couple hundred bob on a good package. Also, it must be for Windows. I'm running Vista, and don't know if it includes something like that (I haven't been able to find it).

Any advice will be welcome, as I'm now all out of ideas, and I'm specially interested in seeing if anyone has any direct experience with those.

Thanks!

[pevergreen]

Also, it must be for Windows. I'm running Vista, and don't know if it includes something like that (I haven't been able to find it).

theres one for XP.

To add speech recognition
Speech recognition is normally added automatically as a text service when it is installed. Use this procedure only if it you removed it as a text service and want to add it.

Open Regional and Language Options in Control Panel.
On the Languages tab, under Text services and input languages, click Details.
Under Installed services, click Add.
In the Input language list, click an input language.
Select the Speech check box, and then click an option in the list.


Adapt it a bit for Vista and see what you can do.

[SwordsMaster]

Hey, yeah, found the Vista one. Will try setting it up later in the evening. Thanks.

In any case, if there are any specialised packages I'm willing to consider them...

[Husar]

Yeah, the one in Vista is pretty decent.
If only it allowed me to switch between languages, no use dictating org posts in german...
Maybe Win 7 can do that, have yet to try it there.

[SwordsMaster]

Yeah, the one in Vista is pretty decent.
If only it allowed me to switch between languages, no use dictating org posts in german...
Maybe Win 7 can do that, have yet to try it there.

Can't seem to make the Vista one work. It seems to work fine through the tutorial, but it absolutely does not recognise it if i try dictating text. It does close windows and programs beautifully....

But if I try opening up word or wordpad and dictate text it does everything but that. It'll come up with numbers, switch do a different window, etc... Anything except recognising text, really....

Any tips?

[pevergreen]

Try training it a bit more.

I can't help any more than that, never got around to using it, even though it would make for easier writing of assignments...

[Lemur]

This info may be out-of-date, but I remember Dragon Naturally Speaking (http://www.nuance.com/naturallyspeaking/) being the top of the consumer heap. Don't know if that still holds true.

[Zain]

I had a voice recognition program on my laptop a few years back and I realize that it slowed my speed down tremendously because of how slow I had to talk to get it to understand me. Maybe now there is a better program, but back then... :no:

[SwordsMaster]

Thanks guys, and thanks Lemur for the recommendation. I'll eyeball the local software shops this weekend, see if they have it. The website doesn't seem to imply they ship to northern China...