Voice to word processor software

[RooFlyer]

Can anyone recommend software which takes dictation and converts it to text (PC, not Mac). I've tried the voice recognition that comes with Win10 and its useless, or at least I can't train it to transcribe simple clear dictation.

I need to transcribe a number of long historic letters (could be up to 100 pages). I know I'll have to go back and edit the transcription, but I'm a 2 finger typist and it will take more than forever for me to type them out manually.

 

[kevrosmith]

I don't have any specific suggestions for your initial question, though are the letters type-written or long-hand? A scanner with OCR software may also be another suggestion if the former.

 

[RooFlyer]

Unfortunately, hand written early 19C letters in shocking handwriting!

 

[kevrosmith]

Perhaps you could raise an Airtasker job and have someone else do the work for you at a reasonable rate?

 

[Daver6]

Perhaps you could raise an Airtasker job and have someone else do the work for you at a reasonable rate?

About to suggest similar. Perfect kind of thing that you could off-shore for bugger all. Probably easier and cheaper than purchasing the software you need.

 

[futaris]

Type with your voice - Docs Editors Help

 

[RooFlyer]

I had thought about getting some-one to do it for me; hadn't thought of offshoring it though. Not sure how well it would work - the phraseology and words used are rather unusual to archaic and I am used to it by now. I think there would be too much editing to make it worthwhile.

@futaris - thanks for that heads up - have you used it? Does it learn your voice to better transcribe what is being said?

 

[moa999]

I believe Nuance Dragon Dictate is widely regarded, but as noted above it's not cheap.

Also generally needs some decent hardware behind it to work well.

 

[futaris]

Generally Google Speech-to-Text works well. Most of the time it gets it right, for most words, especially if they're common.

You will need to use Chrome on the desktop, or the Google Docs app on a Android or iOS device.

Oh, and it helps if you select the right language / accent, before starting.

 

[VPS]

I used to use Dragon Dictate and it had a wonderful free app on my iphone that worked really well but they decided not to continue supporting it. Not sure what the cost is now but maybe there might be a corporate discount through your uni.

There is also this website that someone recommended for outsourcing Access to This Page Has Been Blocked

I'd be interested to see how you get on because it's on my list to find another app to do it

 

[coriander]

I use Dragon Naturally Speaking v13 as I'm a "hunt 'n' peck" typist, but it has trouble with many words. Mostly when not at work I use the google voice on my Samsung S8 and send myself emails every few paragraphs. It seems to work better than the Dragon (I purchased it for $35 during a sale a couple of years ago), but I have to confess I didn't RTFM nor do all the learning and tutorial sections before diving in so it may be my fault.

 

[RooFlyer]

I've been using Google docs and voice dictation and I must say its looking a good prospect! It takes down what it thinks it hears, then thinks a bit and comes up with a better, usually correct, interpretation.

 

[RooFlyer]

Of course everything I say goes into the Google databank, but if they are interested in the ramblings of an early 19th century settler of Tasmania, good luck to them!

I've been using it with just the laptop built-in one. When I get a headset I reckon the accuracy will improve again.

Thanks to @futaris for the suggestion.

 

[RooFlyer]

Just re-discoverd this thread. In the end, I bought Dragon software and it worked very well. You get what you pay for.