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I would go over the lecture at nights at home. Software is pretty good.Could record over 20 Hours with only a 128mb Memory stick. Battery life was amazing. I had to have a recorder since I could never seem to stay awake in class (for some strange reason) so I got this device. Works great even in the back of the classroom. It helped me out alot.
I attribute my good grades while working full time hours by my being able to easily transfer the files to my mp3 player and listen to them while working/driving/doing laundry/raking leaves, etc. I have been using this for recording my lectures since 2006 and it has yet to fail me. The only way this could be better if it recorded to SD so I could just transfer the memory card rather than move files via pc.
A co-located pause/record button logically placed on the side allows me to avoid recording irrelevant audio. Not only does this allow for swapping in a new stick at an instant it also allows for fast uploading of audio data to your computer. With 256mb to play with I collect awesome notes that I then convert to MP3 format & store in my database for later picking, choosing, & playing on my portable (usually while at the beach). A USB cable is included, but I have never bothered to use it. Conversion & database software are not included, btw. The IC Recorder, unlike cheap digital recorders, has removable media. I use this little gem for recording lectures.
I burn a switched 256 MB (Mega Byte) memory stick in mine (128MB X 2), for a total of 256 MB. This babe will pick up the sound of a dropped dry-erase erase marker all the way from the back of a crowded lecture hall (where I usually hang out.where else can you nab a quck snack, zzzs, etc.;)). Voice clarity is crystal clear. Instead, I use either the built-in memory stick reader of my Vaio laptop or a card reader from a desktop.The recorder comes with a nice dark leather case for excellent protection while still affording easy access to essential controls.5 stars, hands down.
Yes, again SP mode not LP mode. It goes without saying that the sound quality of this product is fantastic. Anyway. :PAdditionally, The extra memory stick (128MB) has capacity of 17 hours of recording in SP mode.
It only costs 37 dollars in amazon.com and I like its big capacity.The only drawback I find is that it is a little bit pricey. (yeah, unless they have this too.
Some of my friends thought the recorder with the leather cover was a cellphone until I told them that it was a recorder. With LP it lasts over 50 hours.
I don't recommend LP because it does not produce as sharp recording as SP. This recorder is the perfect ideal for students.
If you use the leather case and stick it on your belt or the top of the trouser, most people will think it is a cellphone and you can avoid some conflict with people who hate being recorded. Even if I sit at the far back side of the large classroom, I hear clear sounds of the professor.There lots of options who can select within the recorder as well.
This recorder is also superlight and the case is perfect to camouflage that you are recording. If this recorder costs between $120~160, it would have won my 5 stars.
Sony was unable to repair the previously mentioned loose mic jack and shipped me a replacement unit. For the Memory Stick Voice Editor software, why not offer access to downloading the latest version, or free downloads of it to people I've mailed recordings to, not just the MSV plug-in for Windows Media Player. They get an A+ for customer service, but it took two swaps and several weeks. The new unit has worked perfectly for several months.
As previously noted selecting folders for recordings and menu settings can be difficult and require several attempts to get the button to actually set/select correctly. It's improved but still doesn't have the features I noted previously as of the 2.3b version. Bookmark functionality for WAV files, moving files between folders on the PC side, and more control over information displayed about recordings, and how recordings are named when transferred would all enhance the functionality and save me time.A complaint about the Sony web site in general- there's no easy way to provide them feature suggestions or product specific ergonomics feedback. My only complaints about the software are not being able to use the bookmark function on WAV recordings, and while you can move recordings between folders on the MS515, it won't move them between folders in the PC pane. I have upgraded the digital voice editor software. The included Memory Stick Voice editor is a great software application for reviewing and mainpulating recordings since you can speed up, slow down, cut, merge, and e-mail recordings with a Window Media Player plugin. There is no jack for a power adapter.
I also like the fact that I can monitor the recording real-time through earphones though feedback can be an issue, such as my laptop being in close proximity.The real advantage of the MS515 is being able to use it in conjunction with my computer so I can upload, mail, and manage recordings, both on the PC and the MS515. The MS-515 does have a few issues. I give the MS-515 a B+A followup and caution since my April 2004 review. Avoid the reconditioned units like the plague. After receiving two reconditioned recorders that both had problems, Sony finally shipped me a brand new unit. The mic jack has become somewhat loose after a year and the flat rate charge for repair is $73, pretty high.Features missing - aside from a power input, my wish list would be the ability to record through the MS515 directly to the PC when it's plugged in via the USB (some Olympus recorders offer this option), the ability to power the MS515 via the USB, or recharge the batteries that way.
April 2007 update Still using the recorder, no problems still works great. April 2004I've owned the MS515-VTP for over a year now. I use NiMH rechargable batteries and while they don't last as long as alkaline batteries, I just swap between recharged pairs. I tape a high volume of conference calls and the device has performed consistently well, and I hope to get many more years of use from it.I use it with two 128MB cards, on the highest quality recording settings and have been very satisfied with the results. I guess the designers never realized someone might use it consistently where plugging it in would be preferred to batteries. You can also use the editor to manage the files on the MS515 itself, much easier than doing it via the clumsy setup buttons on the recorder.
A strange oversight. Don't know if this recorder is still made but it's been a great investment for me.
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