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Microsoft Sidewinder Game Voice
By Joe "Impaler" HighmanThe 800 lb. Gorilla Speaks
Microsoft’s venture into this up and coming realm of voice recognition control systems is called the Microsoft Sidewinder Game Voice (try saying that three times really fast!). The MSRP of $49.99 buys the player a Plantronics headset with boom microphone, a USB controller pod, and the voice recognition software. The unit can work with other stereo headset with microphone combinations if the user prefers, and the software that supplies the chat capability is free of charge for download from the Sidewinder website.
The headset is manufactured by Plantronics, an experienced and talented team of headset/microphone solutions manufacturers for the telecommunications industry. The set is lightweight without suggesting flimsiness. The fit is completely adjustable, including a sliding boom microphone. The lightweight design promotes comfortable wear, appropriate for several hours of uninterrupted gaming. The microphone includes a noise cancellation effect that aids both the optimization of the voice recognition software and the quality of vocal communications.
The control unit, however, can only be described as a strange little device. The unit consists of one large push-to-command button, five smaller distinct private chat channel buttons, a single button that allows a broadcast to up to 64 players all at once, a toggle switch to mute or activate the microphone, an adjustable volume control wheel, and lastly a toggle rocker switch that allows sound to flow from either the external desktop speakers or through the headset.
The control unit and headset
The controller switches each include a status light to help the player to confirm switch settings at a glance. The buttons offer enough resistance to require a decisive selection while still allowing the user to focus on the activity on the screen. The channel selector buttons are formed from firm plastic while the indicator lights are a textured rubber for tactile control. The controller itself fits the average adult game player’s hands comfortably, while perhaps being a touch underweight for others. I find that the device’s firm rubber cushion pads on the underside were a bit too slick, allowing the unit to slide away from my hand easily, so I fastened some cork pads in their place, and now the controller remains in steady. The re-engineering cost to fix this minor nuisance totaled 79 cents at the local hardware store.
The goal of the Microsoft Sidewinder Game Voice is to offer a complete voice solution for multiplayer voice chat and to allow voice commands of in-game controls. The entire design sings of simplicity itself.
Installation
Now, I know that the following suggestion will let loose the floodgates of criticism of my innate technical ability, but here it comes…
READ THE INCLUDED PRINTED INSTRUCTION SHEETS!
The instructions include detailed step-by-step illustrations that, if followed, take all of the guesswork out of the process and will all but eliminate installation and configuration errors. I promise!
The entire installation process is broken into three distinct phases that MUST be followed sequentially before proceeding! Phase one is the installation of the Microsoft Sidewinder Game Voice 1.0 software from the installation CDROM disk. Phase two walks the user through the step-by-step hardware setup as shown below:
Real Men read instructions before starting the project!
The final phase allows the user to configure a Microsoft Passport to allow the player to take advantage of the Internet chat features of the product. The Game Voice software can then be setup with an integrated contact list of other players and friends for quick finding and communicating. Once again, following the included instructions makes the entire configuration process relatively painless.
