I searched around the Community, even the ghost town that is "Other Consumer Electronics", and after being thoroughly amused by <b>FatBurger</b>'s "Toaster" thread, and another interesting thread in the CPU forum where Beavis made a guest appearance, I have decided to post here, since my topic is somewhat loosely related to sound cards.
<font color=green>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</font color=green>

I am looking for a digital *voice* recorder (not for music) for my brother-in-law (b-day gift). Can anybody recommend a good DvR, sub-$150? Does anybody know where I can find a good review of DvRs?

I have found that Sony seems to make two nice ones, but I am still trying to decide between the two. Take a look for yourselves: the <A HREF="http://www.sel.sony.com/SEL/consumer/ss5/office/digitalvoicerecorders/flashmemoryrecorder/icd-r100vtp_specs.shtml" target="_new">ICD-R100VTP</A> and the <A HREF="http://www.sel.sony.com/SEL/consumer/ss5/office/digitalvoicerecorders/flashmemoryrecorder/icd-bp100_specs.shtml" target="_new">ICD-BP100</A>. Feel free to recommend any others you may know of.

Now, I am actually looking at the latter and the <A HREF="http://www.sel.sony.com/SEL/consumer/ss5/office/digitalvoicerecorders/flashmemoryrecorder/icd-r100pc_specs.shtml" target="_new">ICD-R100PC</A>, but as you can tell, that spec sheet doesn't tell me s**t from shinola.

Here is the criteria:
>= 90min recording time
Easy download
Good quality (will be used for interviews which will be burned to CDs)
<$150

Sony says the BP100 transfer data to the PC via USB, and the R100 via "PC Link Cable"(?). Is that a code word for "serial"?

As an added bonus, does anybody know of any good diction software for Portuguese?

Much obliged.

VSP

<i>Thoughts are thinking; Thunk from knowing
<b>nwod</b> gniog em peek reverof sthguohT</i>

Glad I could help then. Unfortunately, I can't now

<font color=orange>Quarter</font color=orange> <font color=blue>Pounder</font color=blue> <font color=orange>Inside</font color=orange>

It's OK, <b>FatBurger</b>. I appreciate the response.

Anyone else?

VSP

<i>Thoughts are thinking; Thunk from knowing
<b>nwod</b> gniog em peek reverof sthguohT</i>

Well, it looks like I will be purchasing one of the units today, as my brother-in-law's birthday is next week and I want to make sure that it gets here on time. Looks like I am going for the BP100.

Anybody have any last suggestions or comments?

VSP

<i>Thoughts are thinking; Thunk from knowing
<b>nwod</b> gniog em peek reverof sthguohT</i>

Sorry for replying to an old post but for anybody else looking for a digital voice recorder DENPA manufature good quality voice recorders and they are available in the UK and US from www.techstyleuk.co.uk

these devices include a FM radio and MP3 Player. the devce includes the hardware to record telephone with voice activation and they are compatible with a wireless microphone for recording from 20m

I have the following and recommend it:

Olympus WS-200S Digital Voice Recorder

It is not the latest technology and is listed as an "archived" product on Olympus' website. However, it is relatively inexpensive and it works well.

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_ [...] =2&id=1171

I wouldn't buy it directly from Olympus. I got mine from Abe's of Maine.

http://www.abesofmaine.com/viewpro [...] 100%20.htm

Also, buy a good microphone like this: Stereo Microphone (ME51S).

http://www.abesofmaine.com/viewpro [...] olme51s%20

Keep in mind that the quality of the microphone and its impact on the sound recording is somewhat akin to the way that a camera's lens impacts the quality of the photograph. Usually, the lens and microphone have more to do with the quality of the photograph and sound recording than does the camera body and voice recorder themselves.

You can always record in mono if you don't like the extra cost of a stereo microphone and/or if you need a longer recording time (stereo recordings take up more space than mono). Note that this voice recorder lets you switch from stereo to mono recording at any time as well as change the quality (and thus file size) of the recording.

Good luck.