Many transcription services across the world will be able to tell you the difference between voice recognition and speech recognition software – and whilst their differences might seem arbitrary, they are actually two key functions of virtual assistants. Voice recognition software recognises the voice of the speaker, whereas speech recognition software recognises the words being said. These types of softwares offer different roles in technology; voice recognition software allows for added security features such as voice biometrics, whilst speech recognition allows for automatic transcriptions and accurate commands. If you are unaware of the difference between the two types of software, you aren’t alone. Most people use the terms interchangeably to mean the same basic notion.
Voice Recognition – What is it?
Voice recognition is the computer process that allows AI (artificial intelligence) to recognise and decode human speech patterns. Basically, it allows your computer or smartphone to understand what you’re staying, and how they should interpret and respond.
Speech Recognition – What is it?
Using the process known as NLP (Natural Language Processing) to allow a computer or smartphone to simulate real human interaction. It takes normal human speech, and using machine learning, it responds in a way that mimics traditional human responses.
Difference Between ASR and Voice Recognition
The main difference between ASR (Automatic Speech Recognition) and Voice Recognition software is the way in which they process audio, and then how they respond to it. For example, voice recognition is something you’ll use with devices like Google Assistant or the Amazon Echo.
ASR is different in the sense that it recognises speech instead of voices. Using NLP, accurate transcripts of audio can be created with real-time captioning. However, ASR is not 100% accurate – in perfect conditions it rarely exceeds 90-95% accuracy; it is a fast and cheap alternative.
When Should you Opt for Professional Transcription Service?
This is a hotly debated topic in the transcription industry – ASR vs Human Transcription, on the surface of the issue seems quite complex. However, the differences between the services provided are actually fairly pronounced and noticeable. There are three main factors that come into the argument: cost, accuracy and speed.
- Cost
This covers money and time – when it comes to which option is cheaper in monetary terms, ASR wins every time. For transcriptions, ASR is generally the cheaper option, this is not to say that it is the best option. ASR is not as accurate as human transcription, meaning that whenever you use ASR you will often need to spend time afterwards going back through the transcript and fixing errors.
- Speed
ASR is faster than human transcription services – a computer is able to process audio and create a transcript much quicker than a human. However, if the audio is heavy with a lot of background noise or if there is more than one person speaking, you might find that the transcript takes longer to produce.
- Accuracy
This is where the big difference lies. If it is for something as simple as personal note-taking with only one clear speaker, ASR might be sufficient enough. If you require verbatim transcripts, choosing a human transcription service is the much better option – they offer much more flexibility in terms of transcript content options, ranging from detailed notes to full strict verbatim transcriptions.
