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| records all dictation on small, compact, high capacity Memory StickŪ media cards / Includes 8MB for up to 171 minutes The Sony ICD-MS515 Portable Digital Recorder records all dictation on small, compact, high capacity, and reusable MemoryStick media cards. You can remove the (included 8MB) card and replace with Optional MemorySticks from 16MB to 256MB for extremely long message capacity. Nearly 3 hours of Recording on, included, 8MB MemoryStick CODEC extended Frequency response ensures excellent recorded Sound clarity Dictation can easily be transferred to a Windows98 to XP compatible PC system via USB port Up to 340 customized File names per memory card Advanced digital VOR Allows you to insert and add additional information to any message without affecting the original Built-in Microphone and speaker Multifunction LCD screen Hold Control prevents accidental operation or changes to settings while carrying the unit in pocket or briefcase 8MB Memory StickŪ Media Card, PC Download software, 2 AAA alkaline batteries, Carrying case, Earphone, USB Cable Size: 1 3/8" x 4 1/8" x 23/32" Weighs less than 3 ounces with batteries From J&R for $209.88 RECORDER From TechDepot for $210.95 Sony ICD-MS515 Memory Stick Digital Voice Recorder with Voice-to-Print Compatibility From Amazon (US) for |
Great, but missing the little extras. (Rating: 4.00) Review : The quality of sound in this compact little marvel is simply amazing. There is no background hissing or humming that is related to the cassette type recorders. The 8mb stick that is included should've been at least 16mb. I use this to record lectures, it saves time and frustration if you can't keep up with the instructors pace of lecture, no worries, you have it recorded. The battery life I've found to last about a week and a half, recording and hour and a half lecture and copying the lecture to my hard drive. I wish sony would've made it possible to save it as an mp3 format. One more little detail that I think was overlooked was to have included an AC adapter with this little unit. Overall a nice addition to all of you gadget nerds out there. Did more than impress with what I received. Nice and compact design. Recessed buttons are nice features as well. I also recommend having this unit fairly close to the instructor to keep your fellow students coughs sneezes and what have you distant and not in your ear. Great for Cops (Rating: 5.00) Review : As the title suggests, I use this in my law enforcement job. The sound quality compared to microcassettes is so much better that I will never go back. I have had this unit now for at least a year and have used it both in patrol work and in investigations. I have the 128 mb card in mine. I can record EVERY citizen contact during a shift and then DL it to my computer. Heck, sometimes I will go three or four days before I DL the files. This little gem can save your bacon in so many ways. NO BUTTONS ON THE FRONT. It doesn't get turned off by accident. Record a three hour interview and not change the tape. Talk to fourteen different people and all you have to do is press record and stop. It does the rest, including putting the date and time on the recording. No more mangled microcassettes. No more pockets full of tapes. No more tapes accidently getting recorded over. The built in microphone picks up conversation really well. I have the version with Dragon Naturally Speaking, which saves a lot of typing on those loooooong case reports. My advice? Go digital, even if your department won't buy it for you. I use it with two 128MB cards, on the highest quality recording settings and have been very satisfied with the results. I also like the fact that I can monitor the recording real-time through earphones though feedback can be an issue, such as my laptop being in close proximity. The real advantage of the MS515 is being able to use it in conjunction with my computer so I can upload, mail, and manage recordings, both on the PC and the MS515. The included Memory Stick Voice editor is a great software application for reviewing and mainpulating recordings since you can speed up, slow down, cut, merge, and e-mail recordings with a Window Media Player plugin. You can also use the editor to manage the files on the MS515 itself, much easier than doing it via the clumsy setup buttons on the recorder. My only complaints about the software are not being able to use the bookmark function on WAV recordings, and while you can move recordings between folders on the MS515, it won't move them between folders in the PC pane. A strange oversight. The MS-515 does have a few issues. As previously noted selecting folders for recordings and menu settings can be difficult and require several attempts to get the button to actually set/select correctly. There is no jack for a power adapter. I guess the designers never realized someone might use it consistently where plugging it in would be preferred to batteries. I use NiMH rechargable batteries and while they don't last as long as alkaline batteries, I just swap between recharged pairs. The mic jack has become somewhat loose after a year and the flat rate charge for repair is $73, pretty high. Features missing - aside from a power input, my wish list would be the ability to record through the MS515 directly to the PC when it's plugged in via the USB (some Olympus recorders offer this option), the ability to power the MS515 via the USB, or recharge the batteries that way. For the Memory Stick Voice Editor software, why not offer access to downloading the latest version, or free downloads of it to people I've mailed recordings to, not just the MSV plug-in for Windows Media Player? Bookmark functionality for WAV files, moving files between folders on the PC side, and more control over information displayed about recordings, and how recordings are named when transferred would all enhance the functionality and save me time. A complaint about the Sony web site in general- there's no easy way to provide them feature suggestions or product specific ergonomics feedback. I give the MS-515 a B+ The Sony software is great to use and you can convert very easily to .wav.....and, so, Mp3 and CD. Really, I can't believe people would complain about this baby except for the price. Well, it beats buying tapes over and over again. And, just get rechargeable batteries (AAAs) and it will cost even less over time!!!!!!!!!!!! The voice quality is quite superb even if I am in the back of an albeit microphoned lecture hall. It even comes with a protective case. This product is simply Sony doing something real well. I tried an Olympus model and it was harder to work and it seemed more difficult than the Sony. |
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