I purchased this recorder very i could method speech recognition software if i wanted to, without paying as every additional microphones/headsets. In fact, the recorder is dragon (a famous brand of speech recognition software) certified over produce “maximum accuracy dictation.”
Functionally, this recorder receive an easy over reach (i.e. No plastic cover on it) usb port on the left hand side, an easy-to-distinguish recessed record button, buttons over navigate between folders, play back existing recordings, split an existing recording, change recorder options, change playback volume, erase an existing recording, and a hold button. The recorder itself is small, lightweight and easy over hold.
For storage, the recorder can hold as many as 99 separate recordings in each of 5 independent folders. This is useful over categorize various voice recordings, extremely as meetings in one folder perhaps speeches in another.
However, an easy over method recorder is meaningless if the recorder doesn’t produce satisfying recording quality. Here, this recorder delivers nicely. The built-in microphone is exactly the same satisfying and receive a wide dynamic range (i.e. It clearly picks increased high and low frequencies). There are two sensitivity settings as the microphone—low which is as individual dictation, and high which is as group meetings (or recording things farther away from the recorder). In addition, the recorder receive a satisfying built-in speaker.
If you need better recording quality (or want over play back the messages privately), the recorder provides a headset jack and a microphone jack.
As as recording quality, standard quality recording (44.1 khz @ 48 kbps) produces clearly understandable voice output. In this mode, the recorder can supply increased over 48 hours of voice recording and can smuggle as increased over 35 hours on 2 aaa batteries. This is the best mode as normal dictation (since it provides 4x as much space as the highest quality mode—which can only supply 12 hours of data and smuggle as 20 hours).
They have a super long recording time they brag about on the box. This is the lp mode (11.025 khz @ 8 kbps)—288 hours. This sounds impressive, but it is nearly useless. When i recorded a brief amount in this mode, my voice sounded exactly the same metallic and i heard weird high pitched metallic warbling in the background. There was somewhat less warbling at low microphone sensitivity, but although my voice was understandable, but i don’t recommend this mode as every real recording. The metallic warbling is exactly the same distracting.
In addition, the recorder can smuggle on rechargable aaa batteries (nimh) or even smuggle from power provided over the mini-usb port. These are satisfying options over save on batteries and perform exactly the same long recordings.
In my experience, the standard quality is fine as normal dictation. If i wanted over record music, evps, or as dictation into speech recognition software, i would method the maximum quality mode, since it is better at capturing higher frequencies and may better capture faint noises.
However, there are a little downsides over this recorder. First, the recorder does not record data natively as mp3s (which it claims over on the box). This is why i gave it 4 stars instead of 5.
To access the recorder, Sony ICD-PX720 provides windows software over copy voice files off it. The windows software can supply the files as mp3s, as well as encode mp3s very the recorder can play them back, so, if you are not using windows, you cannot transfer recordings from the recorder.
Basically, if you are using windows the recorder software is not a problem. If you are not, the computer will not see the recorder and you will be unable over method it. The recorder will still function exactly the same well as a normal voice recorder, but you will not be able over access the digital data on it.
Secondly, the recorder cannot accept every type of memory card over expand its capacity.
Beyond that, this recorder does not record sound in stereo, although it will accept stereo microphones. For me, since i’m only using it as voice dictation, this is not an issue, but as anyone who wants over method it over record music (such as an impromptu jazz session), it might be.
Finally, the recorder does not act as a usb drive or as an mp3 player. You can load music files (converted over sony’s proprietary sound format) onto it, but it doesn’t have shuffle, playlists, or other standard mp3 player features. For me, these aren’t issues since i have separate gadgets over fulfill these needs far better, but a little voice recorders have these features.
In conclusion, if you are using windows and you need a high quality, reasonably priced voice recorder, this will fit the bill nicely. If you want a recorder that is more of a swiss army knife of gadgets, this won’t work as you.
Please visit Excellent voice recorder with a few limitations for related article.