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The software is not difficult to figure out. It automatically files the subject under time and date. You convert it to a sterio or mono MP3 file by choosing the correct "save as" category to a file on your hard drive. I've owned this recorder for over a year. I find it an excellent product. I am currently buying a second one for other family members.
You can speed up playback while maintaining normal voice tone in the software AND the recorder (Olympus won't do that). So I sold that puppy and then really wrestled with purchasing this recorder, or the Olympus DS-2300 (which costs twice as much). you can't record when you are connected to the computer, 3. The software will also convert the native Sony *.dvf file format into mp3 or wav file format if you like.Oh yes, last but not necessarily least.
This software also lets you divide a file into parts, and you can combine files with other files. It worked quite well, but then I found the fatal flaw - at least for me: you can't use it for dictation, because there is no easy way to search back and forth through something you've recorded to insert, overwrite, or add on to a previous recording. an AC power adaptor is not provided, and you have to fool with the little door again to plug it in if you don't want to run on battery power (I can't tell whether the USB cable powers the unit when it is on the computer or not, but that's probably a minor point, since you only really need to connect it for upload/download). Dictation works just fine - I can cue and review while I am recording, just like on a regular tape machine. Olympus has a trade in program, but it did me no good trying to trade my DS-2 for the DS-2300 - the price they wanted for a new DS-2300 was the same as I could get elsewhere WITHOUT trading in the DS-2.
By the way, other reviewers have complained about the software in the past, but that is no longer an issue - Sony has upgraded the software and now ANYONE can download the full software versions (and manual) directly from the Sony site. The software works just fine with my Windows XP computer.
Sony has not only a phone line for help, but also a real-time chat, so that helped when I needed to know about a power adaptor. In fairness, the agents at both companies are helpful, and do the best they can.There are just a few nits I notice: 1.
you have to open the small "door" on the side of the recorder to use an external microphone or connect to a computer, 2. Before buying this recorder, I purchased the Olympus DS-2.
I did it myself before buying the unit, just to try it out. I finally decided to go for this one because: it's smaller, it will take mp3 files, it's stereo, you don't have to buy any extra memory (recording time is many hours with the supplied and non-extendable memory), and it's half the price.
I have now used it several times and the sound quality is terrific. All in all, I am quite pleased with this purchase.
I haven't used to the maximum extent. So far so good. I still have to explore all the features and the audio capabilities in a large crowd.
It's 8 months since Vista came out, and the only drivers out there are in Japanese. For the last 7 months, I called their tech support and got nowhere, then finally found info on their web site. It works, but just no excuse for not having Vista drivers out. Then they pushed their release back from June until the end of July
This digital recorder is very convenient for me to bring it all day , and with easy operation. I really like this a lot and now I suggest you to buy one,then you'll find out that the recorder is very useful.
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