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Has anyone used an external Sound Blaster device?

Posted By: me on 2005-11-01
In Reply to:

I'm not sure what the name of it is, but you connect to it via USB.  It costs $50.00 and says the sound quality is significantly better than standard sound cards,  you can transfer cassettes and LPs to MP3 files, ....  My main concern is I want an increase in sound quality of my wav files. 


Just wondering if the sound quality is really that much better.  I have notebook computers and the PC cards are $100.00.  I was thinking this might be a substitute for the PC card. 


 




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I googled for external sound and came up with Soundblaser......
I went to their site, it was not expensive, I can't remember exactly, but the box is small, very easy to install, and the sound is absolutely wonderful!
I use an external sound card and my ear phones plug into that on my Dell. I find this so much bette
of the computer and #2 because there is a volume switch in the sound card (Soundblaster about $50).
If there is such a device, I want one to
I just had QA get me for missing "a" at the beginning of a sentence. There is a sound of humming like what you would hear under an electrical power grid, do you know what I mean? It would take superhero-type hearing to hear some things, even QA sends them to the facility.

So, where is this filter before I lose my job???
USB device
Compusa has a device that connects from poarallel to USB and we have 2 computers at home and they work great.  It is called Belkin.
You might want to try a device called
an EQ-50. I bought mine from Martel, and then discovered they could be bought elsewhere for less. It is an equalizer, and also boosts the sound a bit. It is connected to your headphones, and can be used with either a transcriber for tapes or connected to the computer for digital files.

I posted regarding this item a while back, and a couple of people posted that they bought this and did not like it. I am EXTREMELY pleased with mine. I rarely have to send blanks to QA anymore. Someone mentioned a noise they were hearing when they tried to use it, and with mine I do hear a sound like that which you hear coming from stereo speakers when the stereo is on but no music is playing. Also, I have gotten interference from other electronic equipment before, but easily solved that by simply moving the EQ-50 a little bit. I believe that I paid around $30-35 for mine, and then Googled and found them for maybe about $18.

I cannot live without mine at this point, and plan to order a back-up just in case something happens to the one I've got.

Oh, and it does require two AAA batteries also.
This little device stops
stuttering. Wouldn't it be great if docs who stutter when dictating would use it? It helps 80% of people who try it!

See link below:

Handheld Device
My doctors switched over to the Olympus WS 110 digital recorder.  It's fantastic and reasonably priced.
Some sort of heater device
I read about a device you can buy for the deep cystic-type acne. I believe the machine was about $200, but it is supposed to be a miracle cure for treating deep cystic acne. The drawback would be that the device has to be held on each cyst for a couple of minutes I believe, so hundreds of cysts like you describe would take a long, long time to treat. I would ask the dermatologist if he thought finasteride would have any effect. That drug shuts down the part of testosterone that causes male pattern baldness. Maybe it would have an effect on acne, too. I think I'll research that for you.
I use a Turtle Beach device.

It plugs into the back of the computer and enhances the volume as well as the quality of sound.  But I needed to get an extender from Radio Shack since it plugs in the back (but if you have any USB jacks in front, that would work too). 


http://www.turtlebeach.com/products/micro/home.aspx


http://www.radioshack.com/sm-8-ft-computer-speaker-cable-1-8-jack-to-1--pi-2102967.html


 


testing a nifty little device (sm)
called Magicjack.com.  It's $39.99 (device included) and a year of unlimited long-distance, VOIP.  You plug it into your USB port, but must have high-speed Internet.  Check it out, it may be beneficial for you.
They must be talking about the handheld computer device (sm)

they use in some hospitals to keep track of vitals, meds and patient information.


I know of one hospital that uses this and it is used in rehab.  They don't need transcriptionists at all.  


All you have to do is get an external
x
Maybe you need it listed in a different port or as a different device? Any place to check the
s
Using one for 6 years, do use an external
keyboard.  I don't have an external mouse, though am going to get a wireless one.  
You definitely want to use an external keyboard. I think the

bigger the monitor the better, but I have a 14" one and have been using it for 6 years.  Absolutely get as much RAM as you can, no less than 512.  You don't need a supersize hard drive unless you want to store music/pictures, but you should have a backup of them because computers have been known to crash and you wouldn't want to lose them.   Most everything now is USB and I would say get a minimum of 2 ports.  You can buy a hub for under $30.00 (saw a 4 port hub today on sale for $10.00) to add USB ports.   I would get one that had wireless capability.   I would also get one that has at least a DVD player if not a recorder.  Usually if they have DVD they have a CD recorder so you can burn songs/pictures.  I suggest the DVD in case you need some down time from caretaking and you want to watch a movie.


I have a Dell and an HP.  My Dell has been a piece of junk from day one.   I've had my HP for 3-1/2 years without any problems other than a software glitch, which wasn't an equipment problem. 


When buying a computer consider repair issues.  With my Dell I had to send the computer to them so I was without a computer for approximately 2 weeks, plus shipping charges of about $30.00.   You can buy an in-home repair policy though.  With my HP I bought it from a local electronics store and I could get in-store service. 


I also would not get a Celeron processor - get either a Pentium or a Centrino  (which is supposed to be really good).  The Celeron is not as good of quality and is usually found in the lower end computers.


I got a catalog from Dell today and I just glimpsed at it, but they had a laptop on the cover for $649 (I think). 


 


only if you have an external modem
Most modems are internal and you have to plug the phone line directly into it.  If you have an external modem, it is possible but troublesome. 
I also have external antenna & amp sm
I ended up paying about $425 for the modem/air card, external antenna, and amplifier. Plus there is a rebate on the card, I think $50. The amp was the most expensive thing, about $280. I have to use them to get my signal, but even with being on the edge of service, I would not trade it for dial-up ever.
I've been using one FT for 6 years. I do use an external
keyboard 99.99% of the time though. 
Good ideas, maybe I will look into getting an external - sm
backup hard drive as well that would certainly take care of losing any data, and seeing it every day would remind me to backup my important files! I bet there will be a run of people today backing up their work! I do keep written notes on my work, though not the line counts. I only lost about 15 files, about 2000 lines (it's a small account), just hope they have it all handy, they tend to lose/misplace files. Hate to have to retype them so I can bill them (of course I happened to delete all the sound files off the server I use yesterday for last weeks work, so I would have to have them resend all the sound files as well), but I will do what I have to do in order to do so!
Problem with external keyboard that is new
what to do about an external computer keyboard that the keys stick sometimes, but not all the time?
Hi Amanda from WV (I once lived in Morgantown!). No drivers to download, has a USB optical device.
:)
Just connect your external keyboard and you won't know the difference.

You may want to attach an external monitor (I don't) or use a box of some kind to elevate the computer.  They have boxes at the office supply store in the computer area that have trays for storage or a place to put your keyboard and that is about the right height.  I would also suggest an external mouse.   If you need a new keyboard/mouse I'd go wireless.  If you want to be somewhat mobile, like sitting in the backyard in the shade unhooking and hooking everything up gets to be a pain and if you just want to diddle and not work you can use the laptop keyboard and not have to take the other keyboard and mouse. 


If you are used to a large monitor that is probably your biggest adjustment, the rest is fairly easy and may take some trial and error to get everything worked out. 


Maybe try restarting your computer? I have an external zip drive
most of my disks...had about 10, now only 2 work. They just don't seem to last long for some reason. Going to start using CDs as I have a recordable drive now. Feel like throughing my zip in the trash sometimes but I need it for my lap to in order to be able to easily transfer data from it to my desktop. Took me a half hour last night to retrieve a file I needed since it was acting up, got it eventually though...thought I'd have to resort to emailing it to myselft at one point in order to get it on my desktop. Pain in the butt.
P.S. I use an external LCD monitor, keyboard and mouse
nm
prepuse - skin covering genitals/papoose - carrying device for babies - nm
x
putting external keyboard with laptop question
If i am using a USB adapter for my round-plug keyboard wire, is that essentially the same as a regular USB connector, ie, don't have to turn the machine off first before plugging in? I don't want to blow my pricey ergo board by doing something wrong...
Are you planning to move the external drive to the new computer?
If so, save whatever data you want to move on the external hard drive (you should already know what the letter drive is for that one). Connect it to the new computer. Easy enough.
I use a Vista laptop with an external keyboard 100% of the time..sm
I would never buy a desktop again. I travel all over and just bring my laptop, foot pedal and external ergonomic keyboard.
I too use an external hard drive, backs up My Documents folder. sm
It only takes once to lose everything to know how important backups are.....I should know, happened to me!!
Mine works with printer and external hard drive
You just need to get the more expensive USB Hub with a power adapter if it doesn't work with your printer.
Has anyone disconnected the internal sound card and replace with another sound card?

I am having problems with my sound on one of my computers.  Several different ExText program have been on it so I don't think it is the program and the sound is just now as clear as on my other computer.  Has anyone switched (disconnected the internal sound care and replaced) to a new sound card?  Did it make a difference. 


Everyone on this board is so knowledgeable, I really appreciate you.  You have helped me many times. 


You do sound FAT, but you don't sound RICh.
Go live in Iraq or something.
it does sound like a lot of
racil feelings are coming out in this thread...and that is a shame.
I know! You all sound like me
We might have to start our own MT group --the morning, noon, and night MTs or something like that.:)

I know your time is scarce so won't hold you. Just have to come here to give my ears a break from the dictation but back to work I go...
you sound like a 2 and 3 yr old
playing house
It does sound bad, but I think

We have these things going on all the time around us, but we just hear more about them now. And it seems since I have been watching Nancy Grace that there are many more unsolved murders and teens missing.


This may sound very odd...
but have you tried rubbing heated Castor Oil on your sore joints?

I know. It sounds strange. My mother has severe arthritis and she read that "somewhere" and tried it and now she swears by it.

Just trying to help.
Ohh, I like the sound of that lol Tell me more.
How do we find these hospitals?
You can still have that sound!...sm
You can download a free program and choose the sound you want your keys to make! They even have tap dance that my 11-year-old stepdaughter loves!
http://colorpilot.com/
I think it's a trial program, but I like the clickity click so much that I may purchase it. This was posted under the production category because it seems to make you type faster. It helps me with my rhythm I think.
NEED TO SOUND OFF!!

First, please don't think that I don't believe in helping others because I DO.  What I can't stand is for those you try to help to just take with no appreciation and then turn around and harm those in our community who try to help them.


Just before Christmas while watching the news the top story was of an elderly man who worked doing custodial work at a local hotel.  He was severely beaten and left for dead one night by 4 young males just because he asked them to quit tearing down the hotel's Christmas decorations.  Now when I say left for dead, I mean left for dead.  This man is still in the hospital and is still unrecognizable.  His doctors have said that he will need countless surgeries to rebuild his face ENTIRELY and will need 50 or more screws to hold it together.  Last night it broke that 2 of them were in custody (turned in by family members) and they picked the other 2 up today.  What is do disturbing is at least 1 of the 4 males is a Hurricane Katrina evacuee that had come to our city for shelter and assistance.


It is acts like this that make us weary about who we help and how we do it.  The beating of an elderly man is bad enough by itself but then to tell us it was someone who came to us for shelter and help responsible is just appauling.


I apologize for any typos but it is late and I am tired.  I just needed to sound off before I try to sleep.


They both sound better than
any doctor I've heard. "Living my life like it's golden..." :)
You sound exactly like me. My mom is
pretty much a workaholic, self image totally tied into her accomplishments, and I vowed I wouldn't do that to my kids either. I'm torn often though as of course I've got other personal ambitions, having some of my mom in me I guess, but I just can't imagine not being there for my kids.

That said, short of being some sort of consultant or having your own accounting business or something like that, I'm not sure what else a person could do to have this kind of flexibility.
Oh, my! You sound like me!!! . . .

I say it over and over again . . . VERIFY.  Do not transcribe what you THINK you hear.  If you don't know it with CERTAINTY, VERIFY it!!!!!


I try to be tactful and kind, but when the same things are done day after day, it isn't easy to be "nice."  I know sometimes I am rather short and to the point, but when some don't learn and don't change anything It becomes very, very frustrating. 


I could fill a book with the not-so-funny errors I see daily. 


Thanks! It does sound like fun. nm
nm
You sound just like me, always know where everything is,
am the only one who can find things even if others look, and certainly don't ask, just do it myself. :)
How does this sound for QA?
I'll only be doing QA on each person for 2 weeks.  They offered $5.00 per MT and then a $25 bonus when they graduate from having to pend items to me.  I'm also training and get $10 per person, which is fine with me because I can train 10 people at once.   Any feedback is appreciated!
You don't sound old...
saying everything I was thinking...thank you! It's a job, plain and simple...go, do your work, go home, and forget about it...Life's way too short to stress over this...God bless!
Do you know that sound well?
x
you sound like me
my dog goes with me too, numerous places.  He is fun to have along and it all goes away until I come back to sit down and work again,but I feel a little relieved.  I always keep my eyes and ears open for other opportunities.
Sound
Can you provide more info. on Sound Medical Transcription? Do they have a website and/or how to contact them? Are they flexible? Thanks!
You sound like me...sm
I have been an MT for a year now. I do clinic but I did acute care for a couple of months and then the account got real slow and they put me back on clinic. I liked clinic a lot better. It is a lot easier. But it is good for you to do acute care because you are getting a wide variety of experience. My acute care account had tons of dictators on it. The only thing to do is keep at it. Or you may want to find another job with easier dictators. I am not the fastest typer either. But the only thing to do is hang in there and everyone says you will get faster and faster and you will learn more and more of the words you are having to look up. I do the clinic and only have 3 dictators and they are really good dictators. That is what I was offered and I have been doing that same clinic a year now. I really like it. But right now even on clinic I only do 100 or a little more than 100 an hour of lines. My friend told me she started out slow but she said you will keep picking up the speed.