Voice Activation controls

Here's a link to the voice-activation software I've been using lately. It's free, and it works pretty well.

http://www.dwvac.com/


Paladin uses the Game-Commander software:
http://www.gamecommander.com/
but it's $50 to $75 dollars.

I remember Paladin started using the game commander software a few years ago, and I tried it out on my old P2-350 machine. I found it to be a BIT slow in responding. With the newer, faster computers(I'm running a p4- 2.6gHz), I don't find this to be the case. The VAC software responds pretty quickly, and from what I've seen with the Game Commander, it does as well.

I still use the buttons occasionally to access things, but not very often. It's nice to keep my fingers on my movement keys and be able to spot, ask for a ride/medic/ammo, say thank you, vote yes or no on some voting issue, forgive or punish a TK, etc.

Here's a list of my current commands. If there's a word next to it, then I say that word to activate it, otherwise, I say the command.

Knife
Pistol
RPG - Rocket
Shotgun
Rifle

C4
Claymore
Flashbang - Bang
Grenade
Mines
Wrench

MedPacks - Heal
Shock Paddles - Clear

Reload
Say Yes
Say No
Show Map
Sorry
Spot
Thank You
Forgive
Punish


I Need Ammo - Bullets
I Need Backup - I Need Help
I Need a Medic - Medic
I Need Pickup - Transport


I find it nice that I'm not constantly playing a virtual game of Twister with my fingers when I'm playing BF2. It's not like I did poorly doing that, either. . .but it's nice I don't have to now.

Would probably recommend this only if you're already running 2 gig RAM. I recently upgraded from 1 gig, and I think if you're going to run much besides BF2, you need 2 gigs.

Downside is. . .sometimes I find my 20 db mic boost is getting turned off mid-game. Dunno why, but it only started since I was using this voice recognition software.

So, there's some info, and the link. Hope someone finds it useful.

Thats cool, I have never had trouble with the keyboard enough to install addtional software though.

hmmm. Sounds pretty cool. Not running 2 gigs so may be more of a problem for me, but I like the idea. will check it out.

Sarge wrote:hmmm. Sounds pretty cool. Not running 2 gigs so may be more of a problem for me, but I like the idea. will check it out.

Sarge, IMO not running 2 gigs is already a problem for you. BF2 is a freakin' H-O-G HOG! I dunno how ppl play it with just 512 meg. I'm glad Paladin convinced me to go with a gig when I built this machine. Ever notice how your computer completely bogs down when you exit BF2? That's when BF2 is freeing up the resources it took up, and retrieving from your swap file.

I don't have that problem since I upgraded. I have no problems with slowdowns at the beginning of new maps, and I seem to load faster too.

A gig of name-brand ddr 400 3200 memory runs under $100 for 2 matched 512 meg sticks. . .WELL under if you aren't picky about brand, timing, and don't mind mail-in rebates. I understand money constraints - I only upgraded because I got an IRS refund this year - but if you've got it, I think it's worth it.

ANYWAY, my point is the VAC program might work fine for you with 1 gig. . .I'm a memory snob now, keep that in mind 😄

If it were up to me alone, I would have 2 gigs at least in the thing now, as well as a better vid card 🙂

I actually got a second gig of ram at christmas, but it would not run in my PC because due to some cruel trick of the PC gods, while my MB has 4 mem slots, only 2 will work with the memory that I have. Had I purchased almost any other brand when I got the original gig, I would be fine. I thought I had researched the compatibility issue fairly thoroughly, but apparently not enough. I RMAed the RAM and bought a Audigy 2 instead 🙂

I actually have my PC pretty well tweaked out so I don't have too many issues. I only run into problems on the 64 player servers for the most part, and some of the SF maps give my machine fits as well.

Contemplating adding another couple gig myself when I get some cash freed up. Gonna be at least 3 months, though.

Sarge wrote:If it were up to me alone, I would have 2 gigs at least in the thing now, as well as a better vid card 🙂

Had I purchased almost any other brand when I got the original gig, I would be fine. I thought I had researched the compatibility issue fairly thoroughly, but apparently not enough. I RMAed the RAM and bought a Audigy 2 instead 🙂

Ouch! What did you buy that brought you to this cruel fate?

I'm running a gig of Mushkin, and a gig of Corsair. No problems so far.

At least you got a cool sound card 🙂

I have a gig of the Corsair PC3200 Value Ram (that last bit is the key). When I dug deep enough at Asus I found some small print that said that the mobo that I have (the AV880) will only take two of these and not four like almost everything else :? Was quite pissed about that. Have not tried to run a gig of something other than the Value Ram along with the Value Ram yet as I don't want to shell out the $ only to have to RMA it again.

hmm..... is this an older asus?

*contemplates trying out the whole voice activation thing this evening.*

whoops missed a number there on my mobo :oops: It should be an A7V880

It's ok Sarge

Raze, was that the same problem you were having?

I play BF2 from my laptop. I had 512MB in it. Took about 5 minutes to load into a map, but 32 player maps ran fine once I was in. I added a second 512MB and it speed up my load a lot. Don't notice any problems now.

As for my main system, I want an extra Gig, but it's a P4 2.6(HT). Not sure it's worth spending the extra money at this point. Although, I do have a rare PCIE mobo running a 6600GT. :-)

Oh yea. Back on topic. This software sounds really interesting. I heard you talking about it before, but didn't realize what it was. I think it would be a great thing to do a review on. After all, it's right up our alley.... :-)

Uh.. what problem is that? I lost track.

BTW I have no problems to speak of right now that I am aware of.

When you bought that extra memory and everything went to hell....

oh, no I found out that my memory was mismatched for the past couple years. I found out when I bought the new mobo and it told me. so I then bought new memory. everything went down the toilet because of my nforce4 chipset. I now have a radeon chipset. :twisted:

Installed the voice activation software and programmed a bunch of stuff. Tried it out in game and there seems to be a pretty big pause between when I say the command and when it is executed. Do you guys get that as well? I set the pause value to its minimum but am clueless after that. The forums/FAQ don't seem to be much help either.

I looked at the amount of memory that the software uses, and it isn't that much - like 5mb so running it on my machine shouldn't be an issue. I'll keep messing with it.

No the software we use pretty much works as soon as you say the command.
If it had a pause like that we would not use it. It must be a configuration thing or something.

I use different software than the one you are testing so DocJon can help you more there, sorry.
I still use game commander as I bought that years ago and it still works well for me.

I installed but have not played much with free stuff, but I will soon just to check it out.

Sarge wrote:Installed the voice activation software and programmed a bunch of stuff.  Tried it out in game and there seems to be a pretty big pause between when I say the command and when it is executed.  Do you guys get that as well?  I set the pause value to its minimum but am clueless after that.  The forums/FAQ don't seem to be much help either.  

I looked at the amount of memory that the software uses, and it isn't that much - like 5mb so running it on my machine shouldn't be an issue.  I'll keep messing with it.

There are a few things you can/need to do.

This software runs off of the Microsoft speech recognition, so some of the controls will be found in Control Panel/Speech.

1. If you haven't before, you may want to spend a few minutes training the software. Click on Train Profile (on the right side, in the middle sction) and spend a couple minutes reading a couple paragraphs there (OUT LOUD!). This bit of training will help the recognition.

2. Click on the Settings button (above the Train Profile Button). You'll see two sliders.

One is Pronunciation Sensitivity - I have this set one notch below High.

The other is Accuracy vs Response Time - Again, I have this set one notch below High/Slow. If you can get away with setting this lower, it will respond faster.

While you are there, notice the background Adaptation box at the bottom, make sure that is unchecked. The guy that wrote the VAC software believes that is the reason why my voice got low in-game those times - the system was removing my 20db microphone boost in the middle of the game(allegedly).

I've had other problems since then, mainly my microphone died and I had to use a different one, but I have now replaced the old one with the identical make/model, so I should be able to see if the 20dB boost problem is fixed over the next couple gaming sessions.

I'm attaching my BF2 xml file for the VAC program. It may help you get started.

cool. Thanks for the tips Doc 🙂 I'll definitely fiddle with the settings.

I did do the first 10 minute training session, but may have to do another. I am also thinking of simplifying the commands as I know for instance which number = which weapon in each kit.