Speech Recognition Powered by Free Software
Speech Recognition Powered by Free Software
It’s an obvious fact that speech recognition has been available for decades. But it was only until the emergence of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning) technologies that this invention burst into life. Today, most smartphones and computers come baked with automatic speech recognition services. So, what exactly is voice recognition, and how can you exploit it on your smartphone or desktop? This article answers these questions. You’ll also learn how to use the best free voice recognition programs. Let’s dig in!
Part 1: What is Speech Recognition?
Computers and smartphones are catching up with human intelligence. Today, you can command your computer, smartphone, or smart speaker. Google Assistant, Microsoft’s Cortana, and Amazon Alexa are good examples of how far speech recognition has come. Just give a command, and the voice assistant will be at your service.
But this article will dive a little deeper than the obvious. Instead of dwelling on voice assistants, we’ll discuss how you can use an automated STT program to convert audio to text. The speech recognition technology has matured enough to allow users to enjoy 99% transcription accuracy. Also, these speech-to-text transcription programs support hundreds of languages, making them perfect for bloggers, teachers, doctors, and other professions.
But take note that the ability and complexity of these programs may vary. While some are beginner-friendly, others, like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure, can be a little intimidating to beginners. Also, some TTS programs like Google Speech Recognition don’t need PC downloads, saving you time. So, it depends on your preferences and skills.
Part 2: Best Free Speech Recognition Services in 2022
We understand that professional speech-to-text services can cost a few hundreds of dollars. Therefore, we’ve dug deep to bring you these four free and highly accurate speech recognition services. Make a pick!
- Google speech recognition
Founded in September 1998, Google has come a long way to be one of the biggest tech companies. The company features multiple transcription services, including Google Translate , which translates audio, documents, and texts between various languages. It supports 133 languages and is free to use on your mobile or PC browser. Just click the microphone icon on Google Translate and begin translating words.
Besides translation, use Google Cloud to transcribe video, audio, or voice to increase your audience reach. Users can add accurate captions and subtitles to their content in real-time, thanks to ML technology similar to what Google uses to generate YouTube subtitles. It’s tailored for the Global user base as it supports 125+ languages. Google Cloud also allows you to boost transcription accuracy by providing domain-specific words or keywords.
As for the pricing, Google Cloud gives you up to $300 credits to spend over three months with the free tier. After exhausting the free minutes, you can transcribe 15-second audio for just $0.006. Now that should be affordable for all average Joes out there.
If Google Cloud doesn’t impress you, transcribe audio for free with Google Docs . It’s an online service allowing you to dictate texts from the built-in microphone. To do that, start a new document, click “Tools,” and then tap “Voice typing.” Now dictate unlimited texts before editing them accordingly. Remember, Google Docs supports collaborative editing.
- Microsoft speech recognition
Like Google, Microsoft has a collection of speech recognition services too. First, you can use the built-in speech recognition service on your Windows 10/11 computer. It’s a free service that gives you essential assistant and command capabilities. Please note that this is different from Cortana’s voice assistant.
To use Windows speech-to-text service, start by opening the program into which you want to dictate texts. This can be your browser, text editor, and so on. Then, click the Win + H shortcut before clicking the microphone icon to start dictating texts.
Alternatively, use the super-accurate Microsoft Azure speech-to-text service. This professional feature lets you create texts from a host of audio sources. It provides real-time audio transcription, thanks to the deep ML and AI networks that work in sync to support multiple audio sources concurrently. However, setting it up is a different ballgame altogether.
If Azure Speech to Text is too complicated for you, use OneNote to dictate texts while signed into Microsoft 365. This voice recognition software can dictate texts with punctuations, emojis, periods, symbols, currencies, and more. Also, you can edit texts by merely uttering words like delete, undo, backspace, etc.
Wondershare Filmora 11 is a powerful video editor for macOS and Windows systems. It packs many powerful features, including the AI-driven speech-to-text and text-to-speech converters. Here, you can transcribe audio or video in various languages before editing and extracting the text to a .srt file. So yes, it’s a fast and accurate subtitle generator for desktops.
To generate subtitles with Filmora 11, run the program on your desktop and create a New Project. After that, click the Import button to browse and load a video or audio from your local storage. Of course, you can drag and drop the media file to save time. Either way, move the uploaded file to the storyboard.
Next up, right-click the video and choose Detach Audio. In other words, you’ll be separating audio from the video clip. After that, select the audio track on the timeline and click the Speech-to-Text icon to choose the transcription language. You can transcribe the audio in English, French, German, Italian, and other languages.
Now tap “Ok” to encode audio to subtitle texts. If the process is successful, double-tap the text track on the timeline to view and edit the subtitle tracks. You can change the text, layout, size, color, and more. Lastly, export the texts to an SRT file and use it on any video. It’s that quick and easy!
- Amazon Transcribe
Have you ever heard of AWS? Well, it is a comprehensive cloud platform with more than 200 services. AWS uses Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, making it easier, faster, and more cost-friendly. Even better, AWS has up to 98 security standard certifications, making it one of the safest cloud platforms to create and edit content.
That said, use the Amazon Transcribe feature to convert audio and voices into editable texts automatically. This service lets you extract critical insights from voice calls, videos, conversations, microphone narrations; you name them. It also uses deep ML to add formatting and punctuations to your text during dictation.
AWS Transcribe also includes a few extras that you might find helpful. For example, it supports batch processing from numerous audio sources. Also, it can identify different speakers and vocabulary filtering, giving you the much-needed consistency. Plus, you can add specific vocabulary and keywords to enhance content accuracy.
Cost-wise, you’ll enjoy up to 60 minutes of free transcription services with an AWS free tier account. After depleting the credits, you can pay for the standard pay-as-you-go rates. All in all, it’s an excellent speech recognition service, although it can be an overkill for personal use.
Part 3: Speech Recognition FAQs
Do you have a lot of unanswered questions about voice recognition? Here are some answers to the most common speech recognition FAQs.
1. Is dictating texts faster than typing texts?
It depends! For people without quick typing skills, dictating audio is a no-brainer. TTS programs such as Windows Speech Recognition and Google Docs allow you to dictate texts directly into the document file before editing where necessary. However, it takes a lot of discipline and clarity to dictate texts accurately.
2. How can I improve the accuracy of speech recognition?
First of all, some speech recognition services are more accurate than others. But the overall text accuracy will depend on the clarity of your voice. While the built-in mic will do fine, investing in a noise-canceling voice input device is better. You should also dictate texts with longer phrases more often. And another thing, avoid using slang and abbreviations.
3. Is voice recognition technology accurate?
Yes, all the voice recognition services discussed above are very accurate. But as said before, this depends on a lot of factors. Also, it’s paramount to preview your transcription work and add the necessary corrections. Remember, human intelligence is always superior.
Final Words
Now you know how speech recognition can be helpful in your documentation work. If you want something free and highly effective, I recommend Google Docs or Windows Speech Recognition to dictate texts on your document app. On the other hand, use Filmora 11 to auto-generate subtitles from any audio or video file. But if you’re a techie, nothing stops you from using Microsoft Azure or Amazon Transcription. Give them a try!
Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)
Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later
Also read:
- Combine & Rotate The Ultimate Guide to Multimedia Editing (Android) for 2024
- 2024 Approved Action in Motion Best Surfing Cams of 2023 Update
- [Updated] Bring Your Library to Life in InShot App
- Discover the Power of Nikon 1J5's 4K Video
- [New] A Citizen's Guide to Poking Through Public Broadcast Archives
- 2024 Approved 30 Innovative Video Themes and Layouts
- Sony FDR-X1000V Action Camera Complete Review
- How to Enhance Networked Stream Quality with VLC
- Top Tips for Zooming in on Superior Skype Meetings
- 6 Competitive Video Apps as Periscope Substitutes
- [New] Capturing Heights in Focus Examining the Mavic Pro
- [New] Best Storytelling YouTube Channels to Follow This Year
- In 2024, Advanced Animator's Toolkit Samples
- 2024 Approved Brand Awareness Through Opening
- 2024 Approved Assessment Parrot AR Drone 2.0 Enhanced Edition
- [Updated] Apple's M1 Battle Is the Air or Pro More Efficient?
- Become a Meme Genius The Best 8 GIF-Making Methods
- Must-Haves for Capturing Movies on the Move
- The Ultimate List of On-Line Aid Sources for Flawless Visual Text
- The Art of Leading Lines in iPhone Visual Storytelling
- A Scholarly Treatise on Directed User Engagement
- 2023'S Best Free DVD Players for Windows/Mac PCs for 2024
- Innovative Visual Communication How to Place Titles on Videos Using Photos
- Brand Storytelling Through Imagery A Podcast Designer's Guide for 2024
- [New] Comprehensive Insight Into Simple High-Dynamic Range Capture
- Exploring the World of Digital Photo Manipulation
- The Ultimate Handbook for VR Travelers
- In 2024, Choreograph Cheeky Comics via Giphy
- How To Organize Photo Album On iPhone And iCloud
- Breaking Free From Virtual Reality Discomfort for 2024
- Horizon Harmony Best Online Spots for High-Res Sky Views
- Eight Elite 5K Displays for Professional Use
- Mastering Imagery A Comprehensive Guide to the Top 10 Budget-Friendly Photo Editors
- [Updated] Asymmetric Soothing Sound The Best ASMR Gear Without a Heavy Price Tag
- In 2024, Breathtaking Review & Different Directions
- [New] Behind the Scenes with Viral Image Memes & Stories
- [Updated] A-List Editors for Android Pics
- Clarity Cluster Essential Gadgets for Pixels
- YouTube Ringtone Archives Essential Download Sites Revealed
- Play MOV movies on Samsung Galaxy M14 5G, is it possible?
- [New] In 2024, Stand Out on Discord Choosing Striking Banners & Profile Graphics
- Master the Art of Instagram Looped Footage
- [New] 2024 Approved The Latest Alternatives to TikTok That Are Making Waves
- The Ultimate DVD Conversion Guide From Physical to Digital in No Time
- Updated Essential List of the Best Audio Capture Tools for Songs
- [New] 2024 Approved Bulk Cleanup Tips for Eradicating Unwanted Messages in Discord
- In 2024, Facebook Vids Excellence The Top 20 Techniques
- [New] Leveraging Facebook Slides A Beginner's Handbook for Visual Storytelling for 2024
- [Updated] Top 10 Fb Movies in One Place
- Updated Top 5 Linux Audio Gadgets and Expert Advice on Achieving Professional Sound Quality for 2024
- [New] 2024 Approved How To Share Images From Phone Snapshots Seamlessly
- 2024 Approved If You Want to Brighten up Your Videos and Make Them More Colorful, You Should Try One of These Video Brightness Editor Apps to Ensure You Have the Best Software at Your Disposal
- Best Voice Changer and Editing Software for Singing
- New Comparing Titans in Digital Audio Workstations Is MAGIX Samplitude at the Pinnacle?
- In 2024, Top 15 Augmented Reality Games Like Pokémon GO To Play On Realme 11 5G | Dr.fone
- Insta Story Magic Embedding YouTube Links Like a Pro
- In 2024, How to Hide/Fake Snapchat Location on Your Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max | Dr.fone
- Unlock Crystal-Clear Audio Tips for Converting Video to MP3 for 2024
- Fix the Facebook Message Shows It's You in This Video
- Diving Deeper Into Webcam Possibilities for 2024
- Updated 2024 Approved The Best of Both Worlds 10 Video Editing Apps for Kids with Free and Paid Features
- [New] Trending TikToks of Tomorrow for 2024
- [New] In 2024, Efficient Vimeo Video Extraction Software
- Title: Speech Recognition Powered by Free Software
- Author: Daniel
- Created at : 2024-05-24 04:55:40
- Updated at : 2024-05-25 04:55:40
- Link: https://extra-resources.techidaily.com/speech-recognition-powered-by-free-software/
- License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.