Good Voice-To-Text Conversion Software?

[Nouveau Pauvre]

I was hoping someone could recommend some decent voice to text software. This is something I've wanted for some time but I'm afraid I know very little about.

I'm open to spending a fair amount of money for something decent quality. My computer has a good built-in microphone, but I'm also open to purchasing a peripheral one if necessary.

This seems to me like it could be a real lifesaver for writing papers for school, and also really helpful for scripting performances/presentations.

 

[Jumbie]

I've used Dragon Naturally Speaking in the past. It's not perfect and it takes some time to train i.e. to get used to your pronunciation/speech patterns, but I was quite surprised at how well it worked. I recently read some reviews of version 10 (I used 9.5) and what little feedback I saw suggested that it was a significant improvement.

An external mic would almost be a must.

 

[Nouveau Pauvre]

Thanks a lot.

I'm looking at the site and it seems like Dragon is exactly what I want. It does come with a headset, do you think I would need to buy one beyond it? Also did you have experience with the basic or professional version?

 

[Jumbie]

Medical.

I don't think they have a trial on their site. My honest advice is to check thepiratebay for a torrent (read the comments to see if it is working and if people are having problems with it) and try it for a while (thing is that you won't have a proper mic). If you like it, then buy it. You may find that it doesn't work exactly how you may expect.

Tip: if getting a mic, buy a USB one.

 

[Jumbie]

Here's a good review from a trusted source. http://arstechnica.com/reviews/apps/...-10-review.ars

The recognition engine in version 10 is nothing short of stunning. You can literally install the software, run through a five-minute training process, and start dictating with near-total accuracy. If you've never done it before, the process will likely leave you staring in goggle-eyed wonder at your screen, sputtering sentence after sentence into your headset in an attempt to see what the program can't do.

That's pretty impressive IMO.

 

[Neo_Version 7]

"Goggle-eyed wonder"

Heh-heh.

 

[snowjoe]

I have also heard that Dragon Naturally Speaking is the best choice. The newest version is supposed to be quite good

 

[x26]

I believe it is included in Office 2007.

 

[dusty]

Dragon has always been the standard, but I can't imagine this technique actually saves time unless you are completely incompetent as a typist.