Sony ICDP620 Digital Voice Recorder PC Compatible via USB

Voice recorders are an interesting thing -- you may have noticed that even Sony has difficulty distinguishing between the higher end ($300+) and the lower end models. (One of the extra features, incidentally, was "An On/Off Switch"). Usually the higher end models have better sound, supposedly, but we all know how insignificant that is in the scheme of things, unless we are idiots (i.e. "audiophiles"). Memory is not an issue -- I still have 50+ hours left on mine. Sometimes, the more expensive ones come with a metal housing, which I suppose is nice.

I use this for recording notes, and it does a superb job. I wish it had a backlight, but it has a small light to tell you whether its paused (blinking) or recording(red) or playing(green) and so it works well in the dark.

I thought I needed a rewind and overwrite and append function (which this recorder has -- but there is a trick to using the overwrite quickly -- you have to make sure its not the very last...Read more

I decided to purchase this Sony instead of the Olympus VN-4100PC Digital Voice Recorder (for lectures, conversations) and I am so glad I did! In less than 45 minutes, I had recorded a 5 minute test msg, installed the software, copied the test msg from the recorder to my pc, converted the test file to mp3, and burned it to a cd. The msg played in full and as clear as the original when I tested it in my cd player. The sound quality is great too. I hightly recommend this product.

I have had this unit for about 10 months and use it to record committee type meetings plus some phone calls. The microphone pick up and quality is superb. It has a low and high sensitivity settings that are suitable for telephone uses (low) and small conference group sessions (high).

It is quite easy to alter programming, control buttons for record or playback. The software program is well thought out, simple to use, flexible, and downloads recordings effortlessly. The only thing it will not do for me is edit out recorded dead time, but I have other programs that can do that if really needed. The software will also cut a CD or convert to MP3. Just be sure you get this model with the USB connector on the side of the unit. Sony has several look alike models without the computer interface that can not download the recordings.

All in all a very nice package. If only they could make it less expensive...