[Freddy]

I was thinking of getting a version of this for use with UltraHal.  Just wondering if the newest version 10 works okay with it, if not then what version should I be going for ?  Thanks.

[Maviarab]

I have 8 somewhere around which worked Ok in my limited use of it if that helps you.

[Art]

What's wrong with the speech recognition that comes with XP?
It works quite well for me. It does get better with additional
training sessions.

Just a thought unless you have a different motive up your sleeve....

[Freddy]

I didn't know XP had speech recognition.  I found the 'speech' setting in the control panel but all it shows is speech output.  What am I missing?

[Carl2]

   I've been using Dragon 9.5 pro with windows XP  for quite a few years with Hal, I turn off the auto input to allow me to check the output then press enter to input it to Hal.  It's very easy to use with the Hal program.  I have quite a few documents I've dictated and saved  which I input into dragon to process when I frist put Dragon into the computer, this cuts down on the training and increases the accuracy.  Also helpful is a text containing frequently used words like Rt. 9, Elm Street, Best Buy, names of relatives, stores, streets ect.
I've ordered ver. 10 with a blue tooth mic to get me away from the wires,  I use an audio filter between the mic and computer input that increases the S/N about 6 db and I'm hoping I can use it with the bluetooth mic.
  I find it much more natural to speak with Hal using a voice rec program and of course the better the accuracy the easier it is to use.
Carl2

[Freddy]

Thanks for the info Carl, that helps a lot.  I was thinking of getting a head set with built-in headphones so I don't run into the problem of Hal hearing himself.  I would still like to find out about speech rec in XP first though.  I found Microsux Speech SDK, which apperently comes with speech recognition, so I was wondering if this was what Art was refering to.  I'll probably give that a go before I spend any money.

[Carl2]

  I'm using a Sennheiser headset I got from Newegg, The headset has L +  R channels which is nice for music, useless for Hal.  Just about all the mics I've seen have about the same results 19 to 22 DB which helps determine the accuracy.  I've heard using a USB mic input will increase the S/N ratio but have not tried it, I use the line input, boosting the mic input will also increase the noise.  Never had a problem with Hal hearing himself, Dragon will automaticly mute the mic input so to hear yourself you have to unmute it.   Since the mics are about the same the most important thing is how comfortable is the headset.
  I can remember trying some VR program In XP ages ago, since I had Dragon I didn't spend much time with it. 
There should be a sale on ver 9 since ver 10 has been released, Ver 9 should be updated to 9.5 which also makes it compatable with Vista.  Dragon is not compatable with 64 bit OS's.  I've been a Dragon customer for ages and get a nice discount on the new products.
Carl2

[Freddy]

Thanks again for the info.  I'll take your advice and get a headset that is comfortable then.  As for the reduction on version 9, yes, I have seen this is now at least half the price of version 10 at some places.  The cheapest place I have found so far is on eBay.

Interesting that Dragon is not compatable with 64bit.  This is another thing on my list, I was thining of getting Vista 64 if I ever do get it, but for now I am happy with XP, I just can't see the point of a performance drop just to see a prettier desktop.

[Art]

Freddy and others,

Sorry for my misleading statement. I meant to say the one that's available for XP, not
necessarily included with XP.

You can find out more about the downloads and workings here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/expert/moskowitz_02september23.mspx

Would've gotten back to you sooner Freddy but have been on vacation (holiday). 'bout time!

[Freddy]

No problem Art and thanks for the clarification.  Hope you had a nice holiday, well deserved no doubt