6. Voice Recording

Since I do a bunch of interviews for articles I write and attend the occasional conference where I need to record speeches to avoid taking notes (or putting it off until later) I like the fact that a number of these digital audio players include voice recording. On this device, the microphone is of the built-in variety, which is fine for recording such things as well as lectures at school for the younger folks. I personally like being able to save the files on my computer so that I can use a software program like NCH Swift Sound's Express Scribe www.nch.com.au/scribe/index.html (freeware) to play the recordings back through the speakers on my computer, pausing, fast forwarding, rewinding, etc., using the F keys rather than using a tape and transcription foot pedals. While the recording function on the Digital Jukebox worked fine for dictating or recording conversations, there seems to be no way to move those recordings to your computer (even if it's to email them to a student or co-worker who may have missed a class or meeting). It also doesn't have any bit rate setting for the recorder, so until you're done recording, you don't know how much disc space you've used up and aren't given the option of going for lower quality and higher capacity (or vice versa, for example, for example, if you're recording live music). That said, as a voice recorder, this gadget wasn't very useful. Better functionality, like being able to transfer recordings as MP3 files to your computer and the addition of a line in, which would enable you to record phone calls or interviews, would be a welcome addition. Also, it's not really clear without looking at the screen whether or not you've actually started a recording by pushing the record button.

Side view of the Dell Digital Jukebox. From left to right you see the on/off button, + button to increase volume, - button to decrease volume and the "record" button for the integrated voice recorder.

Top view of the Dell Digital Jukebox. From left to right you see the headphone jack, remote control jack, USB port and sliding key lock button.