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Differences Between DNS 11 Premium & Home Versions
If you are trying to decide between the Home and Premium versions of Dragon NaturallySpeaking 11, here is what Premium DNS 11 does that Home DNS 11 will not let you do:
* import or export custom word lists
* use voice commands (in English only, though) for Excel and PowerPoint 2003, 2007, or 2010 (Both versions can use voice commands for certain other programs such as Word)
* playback speech in documents
* save settings for more than one type of audio input device in a user profile
* allow transcription from certain supported digital recorders
* support a certain Bluetooth device for dictation
If you're new to DNS, you may find that one or more Premium features are very useful to your optimal use of the program. Most importantly for me, Premium can import or export custom word lists. If in your documents you often use a specialized vocabulary, say for a profession or hobby, and you can find online or in a file a list of common vocabulary words for it, you can save that list in Word in .txt file format and then import that .txt file directly into Premium DNS 11. This can be a tremendous timesaver over entering the words manually, depending on the size of your list. In DNS Home, you can enter new vocabulary the software will then recognize, but you'll do it typing or orally spelling them in, one word at a time. In Premium, after importing a list, you will likely still have to do voice training with a small percentage of your specialized vocab words, but most of them will be immediately recognized by DNS when you dictate them without any special training.
If you want to see Nuance's official list of the differences between the DNS versions, websearch "Dragon NaturallySpeaking Feature Matrix" and look for the .PDF file in the results. If you need more info about device support, websearch "Nuance Hardware Compatibility." Some other gear not listed there (such as my Plantronics USB headset) does work with DNS; Nuance just hasn't tested or rated it. Nonsupported digital recorders or Bluetooth devices may not work at all, however.
There are lots of mixed reviews here for DNS 11, I see. My own experience has been very positive with DNS 11 Premium version. It installed easily into Windows 7 Professional 64-bit for me and has done very accurate dictations with minimal training using a Plantronics .audio 630M USB headset. Because my PC is set up in the most secure fashion, with separate administrator and limited user accounts, I have had a couple issues related to my DNS User Profile and administrator privileges (when I needed to import vocabulary, and when I needed to set an Accuracy Training schedule), but I have worked them out. Most people will not have similar problems unless they have a Vista or Windows 7 PC with at least one limited user account; many Win7 users do not have their PC set up that way.
Although the software is surprisingly accurate out-of-the-box with many basic dictations and commands, to really get the most out of it, especially if you are new to voice-recognition software, you should plan to spend some time studying the Nuance workbook, viewing the tutorials available at the Nuance website, and using the Dragon Sidebar within the software to memorize and practice using the many commands. DNS 11 rewards study and practice with enhanced performance.
October 2010 · Software