Using Speech Recognition in Windows 8
Speech Recognition is one of the Ease of Access facilities available in Windows 8 that gives you the ability to command you computer or device by voice. In order to make this facility work properly, it’s essential for you to spend some time training your device for it to recognize and understand your voice.
Setting up your microphone
One most important factor to make Speech Recognition work is a good quality microphone that is positioned well relative to you. A headset microphone is ideal since it will move with your head. The microphone should be positioned near to your mouth to ensure a clear and consistent vocal delivery.
Before you set up your microphone, first make sure that the microphone you are using is selected as default.
1. Go to the Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound >Manage audio devices.
2. On the Sound dialog, go to Recording, select the correct microphone and click Set Default. Hit the OK button.
Now you can start setting it up using the Microphone Setup Wizard.
1. Go to the Control Panel > Ease of Access > Speech Recognition > Set up a microphone to bring up the Microphone Setup Wizard.
2. On the first screen of the wizard, you will be asked to select the type of microphone you are using. Click on Next.
3. The second screen instructs you on the proper placement of the microphone. It tells you how to position your microphone, to not to breathe directly into it and to check if the mute button is on. Click on Next.
4. On the third screen is the adjustment of the volume of your microphone. You will be asked to read the sentences shown in a natural speaking voice. Click on Next.
5. The last screen tells you that you have successfully setup your microphone and it’s ready to use. Click on Finish.
Setting up Speech Recognition
With Speech Recognition, you can do things like start and close an application, select options from a Menu, as well as dictate text. You can do almost everything depending on how well you train your device to recognize your speech and how consistent you can maintain speech that can be recognized well. If you have done those, you will surely make the most out of this facility.
1. Go to the Control Panel > Ease of Access > Speech Recognition > Start speech recognition.
2. The first screen says useful information about Speech Recognition and the next four screens will again take you through setting the levels on the microphone. Click Next.
3. Speech recognition accuracy: When you have document review enabled, your computer will be allowed to review documents and e-mail in your search index which will improve its ability to recognize spoken words. Click Next.
4. Activation mode: In manual activation mode, Speech Recognition can be activated by pressing Ctrl+Windows key or clicking the microphone button and turns off when you say “Stop Listening”. In voice activation mode, Speech Recognition can be activated and goes to sleep by saying “Start Listening”. Click Next.
5. Speech Reference Card: The Speech Reference Card contains a list of commands that your computer will be able to understand. You can view or print this reference sheet. Click Next.
6. Run Speech Recognition at startup: Activate or deactivate this option by checking or un-checking the box. Click Next.
7. Finally, you can now control your computer by voice. In the Speech Recognition Tutorial, you will learn and practice the commands that will let you successfully control your computer by voice. Taking the tutorial is recommended.
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Simon Calder
Chris “Simon” Calder was working as a Project Manager in IT for one of Los Angeles’ most prestigious cultural institutions, LACMA.He taught himself to use Microsoft Project from a giant textbook and hated every moment of it. Online learning was in its infancy then, but he spotted an opportunity and made an online MS Project course - the rest, as they say, is history!
