The Plantronics DSP100 [still available ~£35] is a good noise cancelling robust USB headset. The cheaper Plantronics [and other makes too] seem to be quite flimsy making it difficult to maintain a consistent microphone position.

I have not tried the Sony microphones. My understanding is any microphone ought to be noise cancelling and ideally with a USB output - especially if a laptop is to be used. The ECMF8 is omnidirectional which would probably prevent any reliable voice recognition. The ECMZ60 claims to be unidirectional. Neither are USB, though a USB adaptor can be added.

Therefore I would not use the ECMF8 but would be interested to see how the ECMZ60 performs.

My only experience with desk top microphones is with the Logitech USB Desktop Microphone SP-016-LG [£15.66 from Dabs].

This is with one user who did not want a headset and has just started to use this microphone. It does work, although the sound quality on testing is slightly lower than that from the Plantronics headset - as might be expected from the increased distance from the user [Plantronics tends to give around 20 units in the DNS 9 test, the Logitech 20. The significance of these numbers is not all that clear but generally anything above 18 seems to work].

Also it is more sensitive to background noise - again because of the users distance from the input. However at this early stage it seems to give satisfactory results.

A further disadvantage is that you cannot talk to the user when the microphone is on because t will pick up your voice. Makes interaction with the user a little more difficult.

My opinion is that it is best to use a headset because of increased sound quality, reduced sensitivity to external noise and a more consistent distance between the sound source and the microphone.

Dragon is quite demanding and minimising as many variables as possible would be my approach.

If you are interested in wirefree headsets then the Plantronics CS60 USB set gives as good quality sound as the DSP100 and being a DECT system automatically reconnects with the computer if the user has, for some reason, gone out of range. The other advantage is that it does not have to be removed if the user wishes to move around the room.

However the down side is cost [~£160?] and it does not retain its position on the head as well as the DSP100.

I would not use the ECMF8 but would be interested to see how the ECMZ60 performs.

Dr M.G. Pepper
Head of Rehabilitation Engineering and Electronics
Medical Physics Department
Kent & Canterbury Hospital
East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust
Canterbury
Kent CT1 3NG

>>> [log in to unmask] 04/04/2007 10:34 >>>

Dragon 9 microphone input for motor neuron disease advice please.

I have a user who is currently using a platonic wired head set, which
works well with dragon if in the right position, but slips and then they
require assistance to manoeuvre back into correct position, which does
not always happen.

Can anyone recommend bulkier head sets with larger over ear head set
with a more ridged mic, similar to those seen on camera crews on TV.

My other thought is to use a direction mic, such as the Sony ECMZ60 or
ECMF8, and fix it position, as the user is able to move into position
and this would remove the need for assistance, has anyone tried this
with dragon.

Any other ideas/suggestions would also be welcome

thanks in advance
Andy

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Andy McMahon, MRes (Lancs), BSc(Hons), MBCS, Certified TextHelp Trainer

IT Disability Support Specialist, Teaching Support & Training Unit
Information & Communications Services (ICS)

University of Dundee, Park Place, Dundee, DD1 4HN
Direct: 01382 388000, Email: [log in to unmask]
Visit our website at www.dundee.ac.uk/ics/disability/
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