The Norcom Portable Dictation Machine, Model 2500, is the only portable dictation machine which has been approved by Dragon System's Quality Assurance department as being compatible with Dragon NaturallySpeaking.

It is an analog recorder, which when utilized with a 'black box converter' called the SRC-1 Speech Recognition Coupler, allows for remote dictation. Thus, anyone using the Norcom Portable Dictation Machine can literally travel around the world, dictating into this incredible machine.

There are two relatively minor drawbacks to its usage. First, the enrollment into Dragon NaturallySpeaking takes a little longer to accomplish using the Norcom 2500. To minimize this factor, we have included the enrollment script on our site. We recommend printing this out and reading from it. This is somewhat easier than reading from the NaturallySpeaking script, dictating into the Norcom 2500, playing it into NatSpeak, and then proceeding to the next paragraph.

Additionally, for some users there does seem to be a very minor degradation of the degree of accuracy. This is minor, and in fact it is considerably less of a factor than with the competing Digital Recorders from larger companies such as Sony.

In summary, the Norcom Portable Dictation Machine, Model 2500 is an absolutely wonderful additional capability added to Dragon NaturallySpeaking. It offers freedom from dictating directly in front of a computer. Thus, most physicians for instance, can cut their transcription costs by approximately 50% without changing their method of dictation at all! The only requirement is a one time training session of less than 1 hour, and their revisionist can complete the chart at roughly twice the normal transcriptionists rate. Or, of course, they may wish to do their own corrections; thus reducing their transcription costs to zero.

1 – Unpack the boxes containing the SRC-1 Coupler, the Norcom 2500 Recorder and Dragon NaturallySpeaking software. Make sure you have everything you need, close at hand: the proper cables, fresh batteries, a new tape, etc.

2- Install the tape and batteries in the Norcom 2500 as shown in the instructions included in its package. Practice dictating and playing back with the Norcom 2500 just to get comfortable and familiar with the use of the recorder. Practice using the ‘PAUSE’ button, above the slide switch, as well.

Set the ‘VAC’ (voice activated control) switch, on the front, to the ‘OFF’ position (to the right). Set the ‘CONF’ (conference) switch, on the top, to the right hand position. Set the ‘VOL’ (volume) dial, on the top, to full volume (clock-wise). Set the ‘TONE’ switch, on the right side, to the ‘HI’ position.

Hold the recorder in the palm of your right hand with the tape window facing you and with your thumb on the slider switch.

3 – Look over the attached "Training Guide". Make sure you have allowed yourself enough time to do everything you need to do in a careful, un-hurried session. The training process will take somewhere between 45 and 75 minutes.

4- Proceed with the training as described in the enclosed "Training Guide".

5- After training is complete, make a sample recording of some typical dictation material.

6 – Launch Dragon NaturallySpeaking software on your PC.

7 - Make the connections between your NORCOM 2500, your SRC-1 and your computer, exactly as shown in the SRC-1 connection guide. Make sure the toggle switch is in the ‘RECORDER’ position.

8 – Click once on the ‘Microphone On/Off’ button on the NaturallySpeaking toolbar. This will start the software ‘listening’ for your input.

9 – Rewind the dictation you just recorded. Put the slide switch on the NORCOM 2500 in the ‘PLAY’ position and play the recording into the computer. The microphone button on the NaturallySpeaking toolbar will change from yellow to green as the software ‘hears’ your recorded speech.

10 - Allow the tape to finish playing back and watch as the software turns the recorded speech into text on your computer’s screen. When the tape is done, put the slide switch on the NORCOM 2500 in the ‘STOP’ position. Proofread the transcribed text and make corrections as necessary.

Congratulations!!! That’s all there is to it!!!

* We strongly recommend that, before working with your Norcom 2500 and NaturallySpeaking, you install the software on your computer, do a ‘live’ training session, as a ‘New User’, and learn the general workings of the software package. Then, spend an hour or two dictating into your computer, using the various features of the software. This will give you a good ‘feel’ for the whole concept of computer speech recognition which will help you greatly with the above process.