Plantronics CS-50 USB Wireless Headset Microphone, New USB Wireless Microphone Options

[Josh Stewart]

PLANTRONICS CS-50 USB



ThePlantronics CS-50 USB Wireless Headset Microphone was tested with Dragon NaturallySpeaking v8 Medical. The results were as follows.

Speech to Noise ratio: 28

The initial dictation consisted of 669 words, there were 7 mistakes found, which calculates to 99.0% accuracy on the first round of dictation.

PROS: Fully compatible with Dragon NaturallySpeaking. Allows up to 8 hours of wireless, hands-free talk time. You can roam up to 300 feet from the base. The earpiece is reversible so it can comfortably fit either ear. It has intuitive controls on the earpiece which can control the volume, mute. The unit also has a noise canceling microphone.

CONS: The earpiece is so lightweight you may forget that you are wearing it until you’re halfway home, which makes recharging the unit a bit of a challenge

On a personal note: This is one of the finest wireless headsets that I've ever tested. The CS-50 USB will be my headset of choice with Dragon NaturallySpeaking v8.

[jgan]

PLANTRONICS CS-50 USB



ThePlantronics CS-50 USB Wireless Headset Microphone was tested with Dragon NaturallySpeaking v8 Medical. The results were as follows.

Speech to Noise ratio: 28

The initial dictation consisted of 669 words, there were 7 mistakes found, which calculates to 99.0% accuracy on the first round of dictation.

PROS: Fully compatible with Dragon NaturallySpeaking. Allows up to 8 hours of wireless, hands-free talk time.  You can roam up to 300 feet from the base. The earpiece is reversible so it can comfortably fit either ear. It has intuitive controls on the earpiece which can control the volume, mute. The unit also has a noise canceling microphone.

CONS: The earpiece is so lightweight you may forget that you are wearing it until you’re halfway home, which makes recharging the unit a bit of a challenge

On a personal note: This is one of the finest wireless headsets that I've ever tested.  The CS-50 USB will be my headset of choice with Dragon NaturallySpeaking v8. 
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Is this comparable to the gn netcom 9120 wireless that I use with my telephone? How do you hook this to the computer? could it be used with a slate?

[Josh Stewart]

jgan,

I found the Plantronics CS-50 USB to be the best wireless headset that I've tested so far. I have used the GN-Netcom 9120. As far as Dragon is concerned, the Plantronics performed better. The CS-50 connects to any open USB port on your PC.

The difference between the Plantronics CS-50 & GN-Netcom's 9120 is the GN-Netcom can be used for both PC & Telephony purposes buy using the GN-Netcom Select Swtich. As far as I know Plantronics has not yet manufacturered a device which will enable the CS-50 USB to be used for both PC & Telephony.

I hope this information helps.

Thanks,

Josh

[RonD]

Josh,

I understand that to use the Plantronics wireless headset you must plug the receiver into a USB port. Does the receiver need to also be plugged into a power outlet ? I plan to use this with my laptop but does it mean I would only be able to use it if there is an outlet available?

Thanks

[Josh Stewart]

Rod,

Yes, the Plantronics CS-50 USB does require a power outlet.

Thanks,

Josh

[zmgao]

Rod,

Yes, the Plantronics CS-50 USB does require a power outlet.

Thanks,

Josh
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According to the CS-50 product brochure, the AC power adapter is optional. The unit can be powered through the USB connector as long as the USB outlet of the computer supplies at least 250mA, which by the way is a standard for built-in USB outlets of most computers, although may not always be the case for external USB hubs. It would be great if Josh could verify this.

[Brooks1946]

Josh,

Well, it looks like this wireless microphone needs just about every criteria that Dragon would need to function properly. Would I have any problems with operating that in a completely hands-free mode with me being a high level quadriplegic? I believe that if the only con with this microphone is that user has difficulty in remembering to take it off because it is so comfortable that it is something I could definitely live with.

Best Wishes,
Frank Whitney

[Josh Stewart]

Hi Frank,

It's great to see that you’re utilizing the forum. I think you'll find it to be very helpful.

I've known you for a couple of years now, we've worked through several issues together, I think this Plantronics CS50-USB would be a perfect solution for you. No more running over the cord with your wheelchair!

The accuracy is great and you’ll have plenty of range. I’m sure you’ll love it.

Best wishes,

Josh

[Brooks1946]

The biggest improvement would be not having to pull the headset off. I am sure that every time I do that it is not helping my microphone at all.

I wish that this microphone would work with the telephone. I am trying to get everything all in one headset. I hate having to use a speakerphone all of the time. First, everything I said is broadcast all over the house. Second, half of the people can never hear me when I am on my speakerphone because the microphone is so poor.

Did you make any progress on finding out how to shut down the computer. I tried the command shutdown the computer, but it only closed out Dragon and probably only did that because I had already save the files. I usually do not save my files each time when I am exiting out of the computer.

Can you pass a message along to Kirch? I'd appreciate it if she would e-mail me her new e-mail address. Has she moved yet with her husband to his new job?

Best wishes,
Frank

[Brooks1946]

Yes, I have seen the web site. I am looking into alternative forms and have not made up my mind on what I am going to do yet. Thank you for your information.

Frank
Price is a determining factor in all of this.

[JayColorado]

I'm using the Plantronics CS-50 USB Wireless and i'm getting a signal-to-noise ratio of 22 or 23. I'm using Dragon NaturallySpeaking 8 in my home where there's very little background noise. I also used the Sennheiser PC140 and I got a signal to noise ratio of 21. I know if the Sennheiser I could be getting a lower decibel rating because of my soundcard, but that doesn't make sense with the CS 50. Any thoughts on what I might be doing wrong? I did create separate profiles and went through the audio setup wizard for each.

Thanks,

J.

[mmarkoe]

Jay,

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I'm using the Plantronics CS-50 USB Wireless and i'm getting a signal-to-noise ratio of 22 or 23. I'm using Dragon NaturallySpeaking 8 in my home where there's very little background noise. I also used the Sennheiser PC140 and I got a signal to noise ratio of 21. I know if the Sennheiser I could be getting a lower decibel rating because of my soundcard, but that doesn't make sense with the CS 50. Any thoughts on what I might be doing wrong? I did create separate profiles and went through the audio setup wizard for each.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

It is not clear to me from your message if you are having a problem? Are you having a problem getting the wireless to work well for you? Are you just wondering why there's a difference in this signal-to-noise ratio?

--
Martin Markoe, eMicrophones, Inc.
The best microphones for Speech Recognition
See us at: http://www.eMicrophones.com/index.asp
Read, "Key Steps to High Speech Recognition Accuracy" at:
http://www.emicrophones.com/docDetails.asp?DocumentID=38

[Josh Stewart]

I'm using the Plantronics CS-50 USB Wireless and i'm getting a signal-to-noise ratio of 22 or 23.  I'm using Dragon NaturallySpeaking 8 in my home where there's very little background noise.  I also used the Sennheiser PC140 and I got a signal to noise ratio of 21.  I know if the Sennheiser I could be getting a lower decibel rating because of my soundcard, but that doesn't make sense with the CS 50.  Any thoughts on what I might be doing wrong?  I did create separate profiles and went through the audio setup wizard for each.

Thanks,

J.
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J,

In the second step of your audio set up, wait for the bar graph (Green & Yellow) to drop (Flat-line) before reading the paragraph.

This will increase your speech to noise ratio.

Thanks,

Josh

[mmarkoe]

Josh Stewart,

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
In the second step of your audio set up, wait for the bar graph (Green & Yellow) to drop (Flat-line) before reading the paragraph.

This will increase your speech to noise ratio.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

This is a good point. We recommend pausing 3-4 seconds after clicking the Start Quality Check button. More important than increasing your signal to noise ratio, this gives the system a chance to sample the background noise without your voice and then you start speaking compare it to your voice level.

This has nothing to do with accuracy per se.

--
Martin Markoe, eMicrophones, Inc.
The best microphones for Speech Recognition
See us at: http://www.eMicrophones.com/index.asp
Read, "Key Steps to High Speech Recognition Accuracy" at:
http://www.emicrophones.com/docDetails.asp?DocumentID=38

[bogongtiger]

I'm also trying the cs50 with a notebook computer. I'm planning on using the cs50 for both dictation and voip phone calls (with wireless internet) while on the road (not literally!).

I haven't been able to emulate the excellent results posted by Josh yet, and I'm a tad disappointed with the accuracy. But have just plugged the unit into a USB port directly and tomorrow will see if a powered usb adapter gives any improvement in the quality. Won't help much unless I'm in a hotel or office where I can plug it in - and it's one more item to carry. But I'll persevere for a bit, because it would be a neat solution to be able to make phone calls and dictate all from my notebook. And save $$ into the bargain with voip (which I need to do to cover the high cost of the unit).

Back home, I'll stick to the more conventional mikes unless I can get the quality up.

Thing I like best is that the unit is so light and comfortable.

[Raja]

PLANTRONICS CS-50 USB

ThePlantronics CS-50 USB Wireless Headset Microphone was tested with Dragon NaturallySpeaking v8 Medical. The results were as follows........

Hello, Josh,
With the Plantronics USB: Does it come with an install CD, or do just plug in, tell Dragon to choose a USB mike, and you're done? Would appreciate any related info. Seems to me, intuitively, this Mike ought to do better, and give a rock-solid connection, than a Bluetooth wireless mike, while using Dragon. For medical office use, an iffy connection would be most upsetting. I've found over the years that USB is very stable. Plus, the ability to power off the USB is great. Drawback would be a drain in battery on the tabletpc. I guess I'd just unplug until actually in use....
Raja

[Josh Stewart]

Hello, Josh,
With the Plantronics USB: Does it come with an install CD, or do just plug in, tell Dragon to choose a USB mike, and you're done? Would appreciate any related info. Seems to me, intuitively, this Mike ought to do better, and give a rock-solid connection, than a Bluetooth wireless mike, while using Dragon. For medical office use, an iffy connection would be most upsetting. I've found over the years that USB is very stable. Plus, the ability to power off the USB is great. Drawback would be a drain in battery on the tabletpc. I guess I'd just unplug until actually in use....
Raja
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Raja,

Yes, the Plantronics CS-50 USB does come with software, the software is necessary for the VoIP feature.

If your using it for Dragon NatuallySpeaking, simply plug it into any open USB port on your PC, then launch Dragon NaturallySpeaking, create a new profile and make sure to select USB Microphone as your dictation source.

Keep in mind, that the base plugs both into a power outlet and a USB port. I would recommend this for Tablet use, only if the Tablet is docked. Otherwise, you will have to carry the base of the Headset along with the Tablet.

Sincerely,


Josh

[Raja]

Raja,


Keep in mind, that the base plugs both into a power outlet and a USB port.  I would recommend this for Tablet use, only if the Tablet is docked.  Otherwise, you will have to carry the base of the Headset along with the Tablet.

Sincerely,
Josh
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Its a disappointment to me that it needs a power cord. I thought USB devices often get power right from the USB port.....! My Logitech webcam does. Maybe the power cord is only for charging and it could run off USB for some hours maybe. You could maybe enlighten us on that!
Raja

[Josh Stewart]

Raja,

I share your frustration. To clarify, power can and does come from the USB port. I have used the headset in that manner. Regardless of the power source, the USB cord is attached to the charging base of the CS-50 USB.

I just want you to be aware of potential issues with using the Plantronics CS-50 USB with a tablet PC. I believe it's best utilized if the tablet is docked.

Thanks,

Josh

[John Wickett]

Josh,

I have been pestering Marty about the need for a wireless microphone that can be used with an existing telephone system with no physical intervention from the user because that is impossible.

What I currently have set up for the user is a VXI head set with the leads plugged in to the U.S. Robotics modem. I have also installed what used to be called "Real Voice" which was shipped with U.S. Robotics. With both DNS and real voice running, when the phone rings the client says "switch to phone" which is really an AppSwapWith macro. A telephone then appears on the screen and the client says "Click Answer" and then "Stop Listening". When placing a call to client accesses the software in the same manner except the "answer" button changes to "Place Call" and the client just dictates the number desired and the software dials the number. Unfortunately, the client is tethered by a cord for the headset and would do almost anything to be able to go wireless.

Instead of dumping all this on Marty's lap perhaps I should put the situation out to all users.

John Wickett
Dictated with DNS Professional 8.1
John.Wickett@vac-acc.gc.ca
902-368-0141
JWickett@auracom.com
902-651-2152