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[tom j]

Hello could someone give me a complete run down on BVC, I really want a thorough over view of it's capabilities and possible limitations and what's the cost. Also do you have to use your own voice or does the program provide voice support. Thanks!


Tom j.



  Bill

[HA Dave]

• Hello could someone give me a complete run down on BVC
• I really want a thorough over view of it's capabilities and possible limitations
• what's the cost.
• Also do you have to use your own voice or does the program provide voice support.

You know me tom j I'm a big BVC Fan. Your questions are valid basic ones... that I have rarely written about about. I will happily and honestly give you as much info as you'd like.... or that I can. You can feel free to PM me too... I always have time for this.

Capabilities and possible limitations. That's a tough one... as you can see by my tag line... I'm a bit near sighted when it comes to finding limitations. But let me say... "BVC really isn't much smarter than AHP". What does that mean? It means Bill's programing skills has made BVC a little bit smarter than AHP... a little bit. But basically.. your still talking macros.. and very little more.

In some regards... BVC can be very close to StarTrek. I can tell the computer to dim the office lights by 60 percent... and it happens. But I can't ask the computer to search the library and compile some stats... like often done on StarTrek.

But... you might be surprised what a little thoughtfulness and some macro can create. I have 16 YouTube Videos on my YouTube channel posted... MOST dealing with BVC. The X10 hammer... is all humor!

When I 1st starter with BVC... the only recommended microphone setup for Speech Recognition was for HomeSeerer and HAL. And it was hardwired gated amplified microphone setups... that frankly was over my head... and too pricey for my wallet. I tried a few different ways to get my voice inputs to the computer. And FORTUNITLY I found it was pretty easy (that also means CHEAP) to do. I didn't find this out by myself... Don N and glt both shared very helpful at the old BXVC thread. I ended up using a baby-monitor microphone setup (at a cost of less than $50).. that I describe in detail via links at my BVC Fan Site

So cost... a $30 contribution to BVC for the program, $50 in the microphone (whole house) setup. I bought a fancy Voice Kate16 ($35?)... although Microsoft's built-in (FREE) Vista's Anna sounds really nice too. XP voices (also free) are do-able.

There are MANY BVC users here at the forum... I hope other users also post and share thier info.

[tom j]

Thanks for your help Dave, You da' man! 

Tom j.

[trol1374]

  The real limitations or involvement are dealing with MS speech engine.  You have to train it to your voice, and even then it has its moments, this using XP.  Vista seems to work better with voice and sounds better.

   Like most things, there is some setup-but as dave mentioned, your imagination can take it to some fun levels.

[tom j]

  The real limitations or involvement are dealing with MS speech engine.  You have to train it to your voice, and even then it has its moments, this using XP.  Vista seems to work better with voice and sounds better.

   Like most things, there is some setup-but as dave mentioned, your imagination can take it to some fun levels.

Hi thanks well I'm currently running XP so do you think it will be alright? And do you have to supply the voice or does the program have it's own computer generated voice. Really liked the female voice I heard on the demo.


Tom j.

[Knightrider]

I'm running XP and BVC with no problems. I have 3 voices.  Seems to me that I picked them up when I got the Microswift Speech SDK (Required to run BVC).

[HA Dave]

Really liked the female voice I heard on the demo.

That was Kate (AKA Kate16). The 16 is for 16 bit. Although I run the 8 bit version. Microsoft supplies free voices (even with XP.. and older). I also use an old XP PC for HA. I use an old P3 (likely the oldest I could go) I rescued from the trash. I even bought RAM at a flea market. I am not cheap... just on a fixed income... and I really enjoy keeping this as much "on-the-cheap" as I can.

[tom j]

Really liked the female voice I heard on the demo.

That was Kate (AKA Kate16). The 16 is for 16 bit. Although I run the 8 bit version. Microsoft supplies free voices (even with XP.. and older). I also use an old XP PC for HA. I use an old P3 (likely the oldest I could go) I rescued from the trash. I even bought RAM at a flea market. I am not cheap... just on a fixed income... and I really enjoy keeping this as much "on-the-cheap" as I can.

Thanks Guy FANTASTIC!! you've really beeb a big help, still going over everything and I will take you up on your offer for a PM. Will post a few more questions as soon as I review everything. Thanks!!!!!!


Tom j.

[tom j]

Really liked the female voice I heard on the demo.

That was Kate (AKA Kate16). The 16 is for 16 bit. Although I run the 8 bit version. Microsoft supplies free voices (even with XP.. and older). I also use an old XP PC for HA. I use an old P3 (likely the oldest I could go) I rescued from the trash. I even bought RAM at a flea market. I am not cheap... just on a fixed income... and I really enjoy keeping this as much "on-the-cheap" as I can.

So how does this work you have to buy Kate, and because I'm going to be using XP's voice recognition then I have to install it?? this is all new to me that's why all the question. Thanks!!

Tom j.

[Knightrider]

You don't "have" to buy Kate.  Microswift Mary is just fine.  Kate is just an upgrade.
(insert joke here about where to take the girl on a date based on what neighborhood she's from)

[HA Dave]

The best thing to do... is just try this out! Bill has all the requirements and links posted at his Web Site... as well as a free trial download.

I don't know if Voice Command/Control is for everyone. It does require running a AHP connected PC 24/7. If someone is only using X10 to turn on a porch light when a visitor approaches... BVC might be overkill. As we all know... many of X10's setups aren't plug and play... BVC isn't plug and play ether. But there are a BUNCH of third party software out there... and all of them help to fill voids that X10 have left to be filled. Bill and Tuicemen have both typed their little fingers to the bone producing these programs that are very helpful to the serious HA user. And you owe it to yourself to try them out.

I think I was like most people... I came to the forums originally to get useful information. I came back to the forums and registered so I could post and get ideas for new automation projects. If your HA has become... stale or comman. A BVC setup could be just what you need to get your setup back on track.

[tom j]

You don't "have" to buy Kate.  Microswift Mary is just fine.  Kate is just an upgrade.
(insert joke here about where to take the girl on a date based on what neighborhood she's from)

Say Knightrider were do you find these voices, Microswift Marry?? I running XP so where do you look. I'm building a dedicated PC for my music and home automation so there won't be a problem with the computer running 24/7. Hay Dave saw the info on Kate 35 bucks guess I missed it the first time around. Really what to thank everyone for all the help, Thanks!

Tom j.

[Tuicemen]

tom j
The additional voices can be retrieved from Microsoft
For just the extra vices download the Sp5TTIntXP.exe file at the bottom of the page!

[tom j]

tom j
The additional voices can be retrieved from Microsoft
For just the extra vices download the Sp5TTIntXP.exe file at the bottom of the page!

Thanks Tucemen! for the info and link just trying to get up to speed on this.

Tom j.

[tom j]

tom j
The additional voices can be retrieved from Microsoft
For just the extra vices download the Sp5TTIntXP.exe file at the bottom of the page!

Got it downloaded! now what do I do?? Just add it to BVC or do I just install it in XP and when I download BVC would this voice show up as an option? Like I said this is all new to me and I'm just kinda' feeling my way. Thanks Tuicemen.


Tom j.