I have had pretty good luck using Google home and Chromecast (plugged into an HDMI port of a TV). I can access video playlists. I would like to find a way to set up my own playlists using my PC and access them via voice. I've also used this technology to connect Netflix. The search function using Google home is not as powerful or precise as www.google.com
One big advantage of watching videos using Google Home and Chromecast is that you can use your voice to pause and rewind videos. after it is set up (which requires a smart phone or tablet) you don't need a PC or microphone or headset. You need a Google account, WiFI access, Google Chromecast ($25), Google Home ($114), access to a TV or monitor with an HDMI port, and someone to configure it using a tablet or smartphone. One advantage is, since the video is not running on the computer, it doesn't seem to interfere us much with running Dragon NaturallySpeaking at the same time. I had been using an external "shotgun" microphone on a microphone stand, attached to a very large and heavy duty rolling cart I use as a rolling computer table for my all in one computer. I was using the computers speakers, and that worked okay. I did not need to wear a headset, and I was not connected by any wires to the computer mouse up in the chair, but it was difficult to watch YouTube videos because the sound from the computer speakers was picked up by my microphone. recently my microphone stand broke, and so I have begun using the internal microphone on my computer. After some retraining with Dragon NaturallySpeaking, it works pretty well for applications without audio. If I want to watch YouTube videos on the computer, or go to websites with audio, or make phone calls using Skype, I can ask someone to plug in and put on an audio headset. if I am surfing the web, I will often plug in the headset even though I am not wearing it, so that Dragon does not get confused if I end up in a website with audio text. I'm at home, and not a nursing home, and I have my own private TV. If I were in a nursing home, I would probably buy another microphone stand and attach it to my rolling table, since this is much easier for aides to understand and position. The microphone worked best when it was positioned about 1 inch away from my mouth. You will need a heavy-duty table, a microphone stand, a set of wired headsets, and a shotgun microphone. My biggest headache with these various options is voicemail. It is very easy to use Skype to make phone calls, but I find it very difficult to navigate voicemail. I think the solution is to set up a Dragon macro which will initiate a call and then bring up the Skype keypad to navigate voicemail by voice. Good luck, and take care, Dave Krehbiel C4/5 quad since 8/2007 Olney, MD From: DEBRA DEW [mailto:n14...@hotmail.com] Sent: Monday, May 8, 2017 7:37 PM To: quad-list@eskimo.com Subject: [QUAD-L] Question about headset for Dragon NaturallySpeaking and listening to videos My headset and microphone I use for Dragon NaturallySpeaking is giving me difficulties because a nurse moved it earlier today and I told her not to (98% of the people in nursing homes are mentally demented, and I am treated like one of them sometimes) because it is so difficult to get it put back on to my ears in a position where I can hear the sound. It is now 6 hours later and I've had 3 people try to adjust them without hitting the sweet spot. It is a game of chance just to hit the right spot and I'm tired of playing it. It is especially aggravating to me because I study something using YouTube videos and obviously I cannot hear them without my headset being positioned properly. It would be all right if I could use my arms to position them myself and not be dependent on other people to help me; as it is, I am in a nursing home in Florida and they are chronically understaffed and caring for a quadriplegic is really overextending what they have time to do. I had no difficulties when I just had paralyzed legs but when my arms became paralyzed and I needed someone to do everything I was doing with my hands, private nursing care is really required, and unless one of my children marries a billionaire I don't suppose I'll be receiving private care in this lifetime, unless I could move to another state. Florida is the worst place to get crippled in because they spend the least money on handicap people. Anyway back to the problem at hand. I am using a Sennheiser PC 8 USB - Stereo USB Headset for PC and MAC with In-line Volume and Mute Control headset currently and it is lightweight and doesn't cause any pain when I must wear it 24 7 which my original headset did, And actually put blisters on my ears. The problem is I have it positioned exactly, or I cannot hear with it. I was wondering if anyone else is using something that they can hear with whenever it is put back on their head without a lot of adjusting and moving around. Please tell me if you are using something satisfactorily, you can recommend. Debra Scruggs-Scruggs phalanx-dragon slayers -PRISONER OF HOPE ZECH. 9 Formerly: Homeschooling mom of 9 and pvt. pilot Currently: Quadrapeligic due to advanced MS and living in a nursing home Phone: 561-588-4333 SC student 20yrs ROMANS 8:28 B.I.B.L.E.-BASIC INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE LEAVING EARTH --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus
