Sony ICD-B16 Portable Digital Voice Recorder

I read as many reviews as I could on digital voice recorders. There were three main reasons for my purchase: 1. size 2. long runtime without turning or replacing tapes. 3. Better quality sound i.e. no motor noise in the background. The size and runtime are fine. But the sound quality was a big disappointment. It was no better than a cassette. Actually not even close to a small mono cassette recorder. Sound was not all that clear with a definite hiss in the background. I tried high and low sensitivity microphone settings, listening through ear phones, re-recording the output to another larger speaker recorder. All the time comparing it to a small 8 year old Sony $20.00 cassette recorder. The cassette recorder won hands down. To me it was definitely not worth the [$$] I paid for it. I returned it to the store 24 hours after the purchase for a refund. For someone where size was the main consideration or for personal notes it would be fine--but still too expensive.

Most microcassette recorders are pretty battery hungry. This little digital voice recorder will go for hours on a set of AAA's (plus you don't have to listen to the tape motor running in the background of your recording). I bought this from a local electronics store that is known for selling Radios (for the full retail price). I didn't do any previous research on digital voice recorders, so I didn't really know what I was getting into I just knew that I wanted to record last night's lecture because the instructor would be reviewing for the mid-term.

It took about 2 minutes to figure out how to record and play back, and adjust the microphone sensitivity. It did record the lecture and I was seated in the front row, and am able to hear and understand the instructor when I turn up the volume. However, I must strain to hear what he is saying with it set on High Sensitivity. The audio quality improves significantly when using headphones instead of the built in speaker.

Later on last night, I decided to try something else I hooked the little DVR to my Sony AM/FM/TV/WX belt clip radio and try to use it as a TiVo for the radio. It took some adjusting of the volume settings, but it works like magic. I can leave the two running for hours and come back and listen to my favorite talk shows (e.g. Art Bell). If I want, I can use the DVR to combine and divide audio tracks and erase the commercials in the process. This could come in handy as I could also record the TV news while I am in my evening class and listen to it on the way home after class.

One neat feature that isn't really explained is that when you set the Time and Date your entire recording is tagged with the time and date. If you divide an audio track, you still know at what time that portion was made. If your program comes on at 12 o'clock, and you started recording at 11:30 you can fast forward 30 minutes, and the DVR will display the time (12:00) at which the recording you are listening to was made.

The only drawback to this gadget is that it lacks the ability to transfer audio files via USB (available in the ICD-P28), and it lacks Voice Activated Recording (which can be had in the ICD-B25 for $20 more... plus you double your recording time).

If I was in the market and had done some research before making this purchase, I probably would have bought the P28 from an auction site. But this is still a great little gadget and I'm going to have fun with it (even though I could have gotten it for much less through an auction).

[What I really wish I had and maybe we will have one in a year or two is a radio with a built in DVR that you can set up to automatically record when you are away. You pick the frequency (AM/FM/TV), the audio quality, and the time to start and stop and the rest is history. In addition to that the ability to store the audio file as an MP3 to an SD card so I can put it in my Tungsten would be awesome.]

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The features are ok (2 folders for recordings and mic Hi/ Low sensitivity and all)

But it has no on/off switch so prepare to keep that extra pair of batteries handy.

Also, if you like GOOD sound quality in recordings DON'T BUY THIS!

Unless you need this for basic reminders like grocery lists then it may work for you.

But on the other hand if you would for instance; like to record a college lecture or something buy something else. The sound quality SUCKS!

Those old cassette recorders work and sound better.

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I purchased this recorder with high expectations but was extremely disappointed. The control buttons are poorly designed, sometimes making contact sometimes not. It was not easy to record or play back. After two or three uses, it started to behave very erratically and wouldn't play back or record. It "died" after less than an hour's use.

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I used this recorder for 2 classes on the same day (approximately 2 hours long each) and it recorded ok. It picks up lots of background noise but you can still hear the instructor. When I tried to playback what I recorded the batteries flashed low and I had to buy new ones. I would not recommend this to anyone. The only benefit to this was that you don't need to buy/use microcassettes.