this one looks like it has potential, (again expensive)

http://www.emicrophones.com/p-1046-voice-tracker-array-microphone.aspx

Freddo reports that the PS3eye yields decent results even at a distance of over 2 meters (6 feet) in a quiet room.

the PS3eye has a 4 microphone array¹  and is reasonably priced (<$50?).  I think it may take some tricks to get it installed in windows since it is designed for use on a PS3 gaming system.  It has a camera on it too.  I'm assuming it's a standard usb plug.


1: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microphone_array

I picked up the ps3 eye from a local store for $40CAD.  It does a reasonable job from about 4-5 feet away.  Any further and I start to have to raise my voice.  Also it doesn't really seem to filter out other sounds.  So far this microphone array concept is not living up to the hype.

At first it really didn't seem to be working that well but I spent 5 minutes training a new profile in WSR and it helped a lot.  IMO training WSR is more about training the engine to work with your microphone than it is about your voice or accent.  But then my accent is pretty vanilla, I think.

I don't know if there will be improvements made to the drivers for this device, since it is not made for a PC, but the ones I've got now are a bit unstable.  I don't seem to be able to adjust the volume level at all, and it is quite low.  maybe it is supposed to adjust itself automatically but I feel it should be louder.  Also, any time I restart or put my system to sleep and then wake it, the microphone needs to be unplugged and replugged into the usb port, which is a pain.  The bright blue light on this thing is also kind of annoying, just because it is always on, even when the computer is asleep or when the microphone is not working because it needs to be re-plugged.

I think I will return it.  But I would probably keep it if I didn't already have other equally good solutions.  First I will try to do a side by side comparison with my logitech chat camera mic.

If anyone (i.e. Freddo) has any tips on the driver or volume issues please post it here.

Try for PS3EYe, This driver
http://codelaboratories.com/products/eye/driver/
its great

thank you Wanilton.  that is the one I'm using.  I don't think there is any other driver that one can use is there?

It works well enough, but I have to replug every time I wake my computer, and there is no volume control.

In case it helps anyone, the ps3eye, like some hard drives, may work better if you plug it into the back (i.e. direct to motherboard) instead of using a usb port on the front of your machine. I have mine plugged in via a 10 foot usb extension cable (to the back of my machine) and it works fine.  Having it on an extension also makes it easier to unplug/replug, but it's still a pain in the butt.

Unless you also want to use the video camera (which is pretty good even in low light), I'd say the ps3eye is not worth the $40.00 that I paid for the quality of the microphone especially considering the nuisance of replugging.  Maybe a newer driver will come out eventually that solves this issue.

I'm not sure what has changed but my ps3eye now seems to work when I resume from sleep.  I'm not convinced that it is 100% but the last few times it seems to have maintained its connection so no replugging needed.

these pa3 microphones are of interest to me:

http://www.spytown.com/pa3sumiprand.html

is anyone familiar with these?

I was looking at this kinda thing;

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280566727133&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250632847623&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

'Chas reckon?

it's a crap shoot but you might get lucky.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6QHBnaNyas

EDIT: in theory VHF should work, but maybe you get less interference with UHF.

EDIT@: http://www.dealextreme.com/forums/Forums.dx/Forum.3030~threadid.6583

WooHoo! Found this, think it will make even the crappiest microphone usable!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/HQ-Megaphone-Integrated-Microphone-Adjustable/dp/B0032YNRF6/ref=sr_1_464?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1286317677&sr=1-464

I think it might have a pretty low WAF though!

I purchased the ps3 eye but I am unable to adjust the audio level in win 7 64bit.  It's at 0 and the slider won't move.

Suggestions?

I think that's normal.  It should still work fine.

It works okay from a few feet but at a longer distance it's not very effective.  The level when I talk is very low.  When you say the little speech to set up your mic my level doesn't get higher then the start of the green section.

I also find it quiet, but it seems to work fairly well up to about 5 or 6 feet.  I have yelled at it from about 20 feet away and got it to work but that is not the intended use  

Maybe you can get some answers from the creator of the drivers:

http://codelaboratories.com/

I notice that there is a new driver dated Oct 17th, but I guess that is the driver you are using?