Electronics Review by Mr. Peter Kim
IT Professional, Graduate Student and terrible note taker... Now that I have your attention, I am not being sexist; this is just an allegory for two electronic digital voice recorders!
I am in business school and experience difficulties simultaneously taking notes for two hours straight and absorbing all of the professor's dictated material. The fantasy: to use a digital voice recorder during class, then transfer the audio file to my PC, and transcribe it to paper using Dragon Speaking Easy software. Sounds simple, right?
After my ordeal with the Sony ICD-SX 46 (
my review of the Sony ICD-SX46), I was deflated and discouraged. I went to B & H Photo and a salesman recommended the Olympus DS40. Honestly, I was turned off by the look; the Sony ICD-SX46 was sleeker and sexier.
I quickly discovered that the DS40 is so much better! I recorded 4 lectures consisting of 2 hours each. I actually don't know I waited 4 classes risking another failure. I listened to the recordings and they sound good. At home, I plugged in the recorder and my PC saw it as another drive. You don't need the 3rd party software to transfer files! In addition, the transfer speed is reasonably faster. For these reasons, I am so happy I found this recorder. It also serves its purpose for re-listening to lectures and reviewing class material.
I wanted to point out that there are more complicated settings to optimize recordings. I am in a small classroom setting (no more than 20 students and I'm close to the front) so I use the default settings and have not needed to use special options to get better recordings. You do not need to be technologically savy to use this device.
Although the Sony ICD-SX46 is prettier than the Olympus DS40, the Olympus is simply more reliable and easier to use. I happily dumped the Sony ICD-SX46.
As far as using the Dragon Easy Speaking software, that is a tale for another time...
