Since the Voice Tracker array microphone can pick up talker throughout the entire room, it has often been used for conferencing applications

It became clear from customer feedback that incorporation of a high-quality acoustic echo cancellation (AEC) algorithm would broaden the Voice Tracker's application by enabling full duplex VoIP based conferencing at a fraction of the cost of conventional conferencing systems.

The addition of a high-quality AEC algorithm to our internal DSP is the main differentiating feature of the Voice Tracker II ™ Array Microphone, but it has several other attributes as well.

Turns inexpensive VoIP based telephony systems like Skype and Adobe Connect into Conferencing tools.

A crucial audio requirement for conferencing is the elimination of acoustic echo (sound from the far end talker picked up by the open mic and sent back). The Voice Tracker II ™ Array Microphone’s internal AEC algorithm provides performance that rivals or exceeds that of AEC boxes costing several thousand dollars. Connect the Voice Tracker II ™ Array Microphone to your PC based VoIP software and eliminate the need to use headphones; all the near end talkers will be heard, even if they talk softly or are far away from the mic, and the far end talker will hear no echo. 

Audio Spectrums for AECAcoustic Echo occurs when an open mic picks up a far end talker (from the loudspeaker) and sends it back to the far end talker (as an echo). In the above charts, the bottom chart shows the audio from near end and far end talkers transmitted by the Voice Tracker II with acoustic echo cancellation off. The top chart shows a similar audio transmission with the AEC turned on. Output recording of the Voice Tracker II with AEC off. Output recording of the Voice Tracker II with AEC on 

 Improved Portability

The Voice Tracker II™ is significantly smaller than the Voice Tracker I. The Voice Tracker II’s primary audio output is USB and it is powered by its USB connection, eliminating the need to be connected to wall power. Not only does this remove the need to carry the wall power converter, it eliminates the need to have different wall power converters for different countries.

Talker Location Signal

Since the Voice Tracker automatically and electronically steers a listening beam to the active talker, it knows the location of the talker. In the Voice Tracker II ™ this information is made available outside the DSP as a RS 232 serial word through a DB-9 Jack. A sophisticated customer can use this information to point a camera, or turn the head of a robot toward the talker. Note that Acoustic Magic does not provide any algorithms for the use of the location information.

 Voice Tracker II™ Features

• Automatic electronic steering of "listening beam" to talker location
• Two stage noise reduction (spatial filtering and noise reduction processing)
• Built in High Quality Acoustic Echo Cancellation.
• 6 element, 10 inch long mic array for long range
• Mute Mode
• 5 element "in range" light to indicate location of chosen talker and sufficiency of signal
• Talker location signal thru DB 9 jack (cable optional)
• Compatible with a variety of operating systems including: 
• Apple/Macintosh : Mac OS, Mac OS X 
• Microsoft : Windows 3.x, Windows 95,Windows 98,Windows NT, Windows 2000,Windows ME, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7

 Voice Tracker II™ Specifications:

Range: 

• 20+ feet for meeting recording (depends on acoustic characteristics of the room).

AEC Performance: 

• G.167 Compliant
• 70 db of echo cancellation in single talk
• 40 db of echo cancellation in double talk
• Convergence time of less than 100ms
• Sample rate: 48KHz

Primary audio output: USB

Secondary audio output: 

• Mic level or Line level (switch controlled) 3.5mm ministereo jack
• 6ft male/male audio cable (optional) Same signal on tip & ring 500 ohm output impedance

Talker location signal accuracy: 5 degrees

Frequency Response:

• 100Hz to 11,250 Hz

Physical Dimensions:

• Length: 11.5"
• Height: 1.5"
• Weight: 0.75lbs

Power Equipment: 

• Powered by USB (wall-powered converter optional)
• 5V DC
• 400 ma

The Philips 660 Digital Voice Tracer is Nuance certified rated, stylish and practical way to organize your life. A one-gig memory, a handy alarm function and a free lapel microphone are all you need. Record notes and thoughts, and play back your favourite music. Whether used for business or pleasure, the Philips 660 Digital Voice Tracer is practical - and fun.

• Four folders with up to 99 files in each folder.
• 5 recording qualities S-HQ, HQ, SP, LP, SLP.
• Large backlit LCD screen for an at-a-glance overview - 30x30mm.
• Voice activated recordingLapel mic and MP3 encoder.
• Hold function prevents unintentional on / off switching of modes.
• File archiving through USB 2.0 high speed connection.
• Super HQ recording mode.
• Alarm clock with voice playbackMP3 / WMA playbackFile split feature.

• Philips Digital Voice Tracer - LFH 660 Model 660 (new model 662 to be introduced)
• Up to 139 hrs Recording time.
• 1GB Memory.
• USB connectivity.
• Requires 2xAAA batteries.
• 1 year warranty.
• WxDxH: 40x18x118mm.
• Weight: 60g (excluding batteries)
• Frequency: 300-7, 500Hz.