Sony ICD-SX700D Digital Voice Recorder with Voice Operated Recording

I had been looking for a device like this, and based on reviews had it narrowed down to the ICD-MX20DR9 and the ICD-SX68DR9. But seeing that Dragon Naturally Speaking was already out in version 10, it seemed odd that Sony hadn't updated the recorders to operate with the new software release.

Well, Sony did one better. Not only does the ICD-SX700D feature the Dragon version 10 software (recorder edition, not the full), but the device itself overcomes many of the criticisms of earlier models. You can see all the specs for yourself and see what I mean.

Another source of my earlier hesitation to buy a Sony stemmed from criticims of the documentation accompanying this model's predecessors; users reported having virtually no information about the Dragon software, and having to spend hours on hold with tech support trying to get the device and transcription software to work properly together.

I confess that I would greatly welcome some documentation from Nuance about the codes and special language one can use when recording in order to accelerate accurate transcription.

Nevertheless, I found it was a fairly straightforward thing to get this up and running. (1) First install the Sony software on your computer, (2) then install the Dragon software on your computer, and (3) recite and record your choice of reading passages given you by the Dragon software. Then, (4) transfer your recording from the ICD-SX700D to your computer (using the Sony software), convert it into a transcription again using the software, and watch it type away in the word processor. With time, you'll grow comfortable enough with the device to begin using the special transcription codes.

It works great. Very impressed with it. It was easy to set up and it did not take as long as indicated. It was up and running within an hour. I purchased it mostly for dictation. I wanted to be able to record lectures and interviews and tranbscribe them to text. Basic dictation/transcribing works wonderfully. Recorded lectures/transcribing is 50/50 based on how close your are to the speaker and the surrounding noise. Interviews/Conversation have not been successful for me when it comes to transcribing. The transcribing software cannot distinguish between the two voices and it defaults to [inaudible] to the program. Another issue I had, and this is my mistake for not double checking compatibility, I bought a new computer as well and my new computer being 64 bit, could not read the 32 bit software (this is what was explained to me). So, I have to use my older computer for transcribing. Make sure to double check system compatibility before you purcahse. Its also quite pricey but all in all, I use it for work and it does make my job easier. So, it pays for itself.

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After researching features of several comparable devices, the Sony ICD-SX700D was the only logical choice. The Dragon software I am already familiar with and it's still "okay" and is still learning my voice. It does take work for accuracy. The ICD-SX700 looks complicated, but Sony has a knock of creating intuitive menus that more often than not, make sense. Buttons have a decent tactile feel and the screen is easy to readand I don't even need to use my reading glasses to operate. The main feature I was seeking was the VOR-voice activated recording. That works very well, very natural and clean. I highly recommend buying an additional lapel clip-on mic. Skip the pricey Sony ECM's. An Olympus brand or other lapel mic designed for video camcorders will suffice. I move around a lot in my noisy kitchen and this set-up works well. I'm also the using the ICD-SX700 as an mp3 player, downloading podcasts and music to their own folder. Invest in a better set of earphones at some point, since the ones that come with it are very basic. The Sony software is standard for Windows as is the stripped-down DragonSpeak. I wish they were Mac compatible. They do work well together and there have been no problems with the install or operation on Win XP (32-bit mode only). It's fun to watch the screen typing away what I just spoke a few minutes earlier. After a bit of clean-up, I'm ready to post text to my blog. Overall; good Sony quality, a fair value, Mac compatibility would be nice, but I run Win on my Mac for the best of both worlds. My technical expertise level is mid-range, so I did need to read the manual. Amazon as usual, made ordering and delivery easy.

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Need I say more! Everything I ever wanted in a digital recorder. If you need anything better then you need a professional digital recorder. This little gizmo record voices in big conference rooms with an incredible clarity! great as a Dictaphone, for interviews, and pretty much everything else. It records in Stereo or mono.

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I bought this on April 29, 2010. It is currently February 6, 2012. this is a pretty well-designed recorder. the shape and layout of the recorder is very intuitive and portable. the recorded audio is great quality and is easy to transfer the files to and from the computer. it doubles as an mp3 player that i use to listen to audio books. the batteries charge while you have it hooked up to USB for moving files off and onto it and it comes with a docking station that gives you a more aesthetically and functionally appealing arrangement for using the recorder with a computer. the battery life is very, very good i keep the device on all the time (but not recording all the time). it comes with the Dragon Naturally Speaking software which i do not use since it takes incredible amounts of time to train and still fails far too frequently, but i do not fault the device itself for this. you are not restricted to the 5 file folders the device uses by default for storing files you may rename/delete/add folders using the computer for categorizing the things you record. i've also dropped this device several times from waist height onto concrete and it has not affected the performance at all. this has been one of the most satisfying purchases i have made, as i get a lot of use out of this device for recording notes nearly every day to make sure i do not forget certain things. for me, this was definitely money well spent. my only criticisms is that the carrying pouch that comes with it is basically useless, it doesn't support any open-source audio formats, a couple of the buttons are oddly labelled (HOLD instead of POWER, wth?), and it doesn't display the time unless you're powering the device off or on. regardless, i give it 5 out of 5 stars.