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