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MP3 Dictaphone Devices?

Posted by Cliff on from the would-you-find-this-useful? dept.

bbosilje asks: "I had a brainwave today and was wondering if anybody knows of any 'enhanced' digital dictaphone devices? Ideally the device would be small, use MP3 as the storage format, timestamp each voice recording outside of the audio stream, sync up to a desktop computer and have an organizer that you could use to keep a database of your dictated notes. This would be an awesome (read: lazy) way to keep a personal or work journal. The MP3 recorders that I have seen are primarily geared towards near CD quality playback without much said about recording. Does such a device exist? Is there a market?" Interesting thought. I've seen personal dictation devices on the market, but I don't know if they have any kinds of integration with a desktop PC and the appropriate PIM [?] software. Has anyone seen such an animal? If so, please comment about your experiences here.

3 of 9 comments (clear)

  1. It's not MP3 but has everything else... by tzanger · · Score: 2

    I just purchased a Sony ICD-R100 from OfficeMax yesterday. It doesn't store the data in MP3 but it DOES have link-up software and can transfer data to and from your PC. The software is Win32 only and works over the parallel port. (why? I don't know, serial would have been fast enough I'd estimate)

    Features which drew me to it:

    • Small: about the size of 2 AAA batteries tall and almost one across
    • 2.5hrs record time on LP, about 60 minutes SP
    • LP is clear
    • stereo (alright double mono) ear out -- why the fuck has monural earbuds anymore?
    • you can add more to a message or split messages as you go
    • external mic/line input if you so desire
    • USD$99. Not the cheapest, but in the higher end price range. (not exactly a feature but the unit works very well)

    I haven't tried the link software yet but it will save to .wav which is easy enough to make into MP3s.

    I also looked at Panasonic's units ($79 and $129 for 60 and 240min.) no link capability but they were a nice shape too and seemed to have the quality. RCA I believe had one which used SmartMedia cards (came with a 2MB one) but the unit was just to big and odd-shaped for me.

  2. Re:D-Link MP3 player by bonzoesc · · Score: 2
    I saw it at OfficeMax (bricks and mortar store is where) for US $60.

    Tell me what makes you so afraid
    Of all those people you say you hate

  3. D-Link MP3 player by xdonnel · · Score: 2

    http://www.dlink.com/products/multimedia/dmp100/ I have this player but I have not used the voice recording feature( about 2 hrs talk time) It is reasonably cheap, list price 4000Baht (150USD)