Feedback: guides-streaming

Documentation Feedback

Original URL: https://www.assemblyai.com/docs/guides/streaming
Category: guides
Generated: 05/08/2025, 4:36:53 pm

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Claude Sonnet 4 Feedback

Generated: 05/08/2025, 4:36:52 pm

Technical Documentation Analysis: AssemblyAI Streaming Guide

Overall Assessment

This is a landing page that serves as a navigation hub rather than comprehensive documentation. While it effectively organizes resources, it lacks essential information users need to understand and implement streaming functionality.

Critical Issues & Recommendations

1. Missing Essential Information

Problems:

• No technical specifications (supported audio formats, sample rates, bit depths)
• Missing authentication/API key setup instructions
• No system requirements or prerequisites
• Absence of rate limits, pricing, or usage constraints
• No troubleshooting section

Recommendations:

## Prerequisites
- AssemblyAI API key ([Get yours here](link))
- Supported audio formats: PCM, WAV, MP3, FLAC
- Minimum sample rate: 16 kHz (recommended: 44.1 kHz)
- WebSocket support in your environment

## Quick Start
Before diving into specific use cases, try this basic example:
[Include a simple 10-line code snippet showing WebSocket connection]

2. Lack of Progressive Learning Path

Problems:

• No clear starting point for beginners
• Missing difficulty indicators
• No recommended learning sequence

Recommendations:

• Add badges: [Beginner], [Intermediate], [Advanced]
• Create a “Start Here” section with the most basic implementation
• Add estimated completion times for each guide

3. Incomplete Context and Descriptions

Problems:

• Link titles don’t explain what users will learn
• No preview of complexity or time investment
• Missing use case descriptions

Current:

- Using real-time streaming

Improved:

- **Getting Started with Real-time Streaming** `[Beginner • 15 min]`
  Set up your first WebSocket connection and transcribe live audio with basic configuration options.

4. Structural Improvements Needed

Current structure is unclear. Recommend:

# Streaming Speech-to-Text Guide

## Getting Started
1. **Quick Start Tutorial** - Your first streaming implementation (5 minutes)
2. **Core Concepts** - WebSocket lifecycle, message types, error handling
3. **Authentication & Setup** - API keys, connection parameters

## Implementation Guides
### By Platform
- Python Implementation
- JavaScript/Node.js Implementation
- Browser-based Implementation

### By Use Case
- Live Microphone Transcription
- Audio File Streaming
- System Audio Capture
- Multi-speaker Scenarios

## Advanced Topics
- Integration with LeMUR
- Performance Optimization
- Error Handling & Reconnection
- Migration Guides (v2 → v3)

5. User Experience Pain Points

Problems:

• External GitHub links mixed with internal docs
• Inconsistent link formats (some relative, some absolute)
• No indication of content type (tutorial vs. reference vs. example)

Solutions:

• Add icons to distinguish content types: 📖 Tutorial, 🔧 Reference, 💻 Code Example
• Ensure all links open appropriately (external in new tabs)
• Add “last updated” dates for time-sensitive content like migrations

6. Missing Code Examples

Add a minimal working example:

## Quick Example
```javascript
const WebSocket = require('ws');
const ws = new WebSocket('wss://api.assemblyai.com/v2/realtime/ws', {
  headers: { authorization: 'YOUR_API_KEY' }
});

ws.on('message', (data) => {
  const transcript = JSON.parse(data);
  console.log(transcript.text);
});

See our complete tutorial for full implementation.

### 7. **Add Comparison Table**

Help users choose the right approach:
```markdown
## Choose Your Implementation

| Approach | Best For | Complexity | Latency |
|----------|----------|------------|---------|
| Universal Streaming | Most applications | Medium | ~300ms |
| Browser Direct | Client-side apps | Low | ~400ms |
| System Audio | Desktop apps | High | ~250ms |

8. Include FAQ Section

Address common questions:

• “What’s the difference between streaming and batch transcription?”
• “How do I handle connection drops?”
• “Can I use this in production?”
• “What are the usage limits?”

Immediate Action Items

1. Add a “Quick Start” section with a complete, runnable example
2. Include technical specifications and prerequisites
3. Reorganize content by user journey rather than random grouping
4. Add descriptive text for each link explaining the outcome
5. Create a troubleshooting section with common issues
6. Add visual indicators for content type and difficulty level

This landing page has good organizational potential but needs substantial content additions to serve as effective technical documentation rather than just a link directory.

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