Sony on February 27 announced a line of six new digital voice recorders with features that include capturing high-quality sound and converting voice to text, creating MP3 files for radio or Internet broadcasting, or simply recording notes and playing them back without connecting to a PC.
Sony's ICD-SX57 and ICD-SX57DR9 voice recorder models have up to 256MB of flash memory and offer more than 90 hours of recording time in the long play (LP) mode, says Sony. Both models come with a USB port for high-speed file transfer to a PC.
For those looking for a way to easily transcribe recorded files, the ICD-SX57 recorder is compatible with Dragon NaturallySpeaking speech recognition software from Nuance Communications. Sony will also offer the ICD-SX57DR9 bundled with the voice recognition software.
Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 Recorder Edition supports dictation using Sony PC compatible digital voice recorders and links directly with Sony's Digital Voice Editor version 3.0 software, which comes with new PC-compatible digital voice recorders. Both pieces of software work together to provide an easy way to convert voice to text, according to Sony.
The ICD-SX57DR9 recorder comes equipped with rechargeable batteries and a USB docking station. It automatically recharges the batteries when connected to the PC and simplifies the process of transferring recordings.
The ICD-SX57 and ICD-SX57DR9 digital voice recorders will be available in spring 2007 for about US$200 and US$250, respectively.
Sony's ICD-P520 and ICD-P530F digital voice recorders are compact and easily connect to a PC. Up to 256MB of flash memory offer up to 130 hours of recording time in the LP mode. For easy file transfer to a PC, both models include Sony's new Digital Voice Editor version 3.0 software, which adds podcast-creation capability. The ICD-P530F recorder incorporates a built-in FM tuner with 25 presets.
The ICD-P520 and ICD-P530F digital voice recorders will also be available spring 2007 for about US$70 and US$80, respectively.
For users needing lots of recording time, the ICD-B500 and ICD-B510F voice recorders are portable note takers with 256 MB of flash memory. These new models provide up to 150 hours of recording time in LP mode. They offer comprehensive recording capabilities in any situation, and a large LCD and single-function buttons on the front and 250-milliwatt speaker output make them easy to use. The ICD-B510F recorder also includes a built-in FM tuner with 25 presets.
The ICD-B500 and ICD-B510F voice recorders come packaged with two "AAA" batteries and will be available spring 2007 for about US$50 and US$60, respectively, according to Sony.
Sony ICD-SX57DR9 digital voice recorder
Photo: Company
