Dictaphones or Digital Voice Recorders (DVRs) are ideal for recording voice memos, interviews, conferences, meetings and telephone conversations. The term Dictaphone is a trademark, whereas the version that uses cassette tapes to record, in contrast to the newer Digital Voice Recorders (DVR) to save the audio to memory.
Digital Voice Recorder (DVR)
• Use your USB port to save typing time by directly transferring audio files from your DVR to your computer
• With DVR, there is no need to rewind when you're finished recording, simply press the play button to play immediately
• Each audio recording on your DVR is automatically saved in a number with a time and date stamp
• The DVR usually between two and five folders to separate audio for better organization
• Some DVR's allow you to move messages between folders, and split or delete messages
• You will not cause a distraction during meetings or conferences, changing tapes and you will not miss anything important while this
• Some DVR come with software that automatically converts audio to text for easy transcription
• Newer DVR's have expandable memory and come with external memory card. Keep an eye on this because it gives you more flexibility in recording and makes it easier to download audio to your computer
• The DVR usually operated by one or two AAA alkaline or rechargeable batteries
Tape / Voice Recorder
• Choose between Mini, Micro or Standard; Mini cassettes (15min per side) with half the contents of the Standard and Micro (30 min per side)
• cassette dictating machines can be played on any player who takes the respective size
• With digital you only have a limited amount of space to store recordings (if you do not have external memory card) - while a cassette dictaphone you can only exchange links if you run out of space
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• A voice recorder is a cheaper alternative
• There is no digital storage on a Dictaphone cassette
• Recycling of cartridges - you can buy a machine that automatically erases the micro-and mini-cassettes
• Many come with equipment specifically for recording phone calls
Desktop or laptop Voice Recorder?
Desktop DVR's or dictating machines are generally cheaper and are ideal for recording of telephone conversations or used in connection with transcription software. There are many models of portable dictating machines varying in size and capability, but are all ideal if you're traveling or need a Dictaphone or DVR sometimes inspiration.
Pushbutton or thumb slide recorders?
Pushbutton cassette recorders usually have the ability to insert dictation, but it can be very difficult to find the item you want. With the thumb slide switch is much easier to review and check back with notification capabilities, rewind, insert, play and stop.
Which Mode?
There are three levels of recording quality and the different recording times. The longer the recording time the lower the quality.
High Quality (HQ) - 43 min approx.
Short Play (SP) - 65 min approx.
Long Play (LP) - 121 min ca.
Advertisers usually have the longest recording time, so be sure to Dictaphone or DVR recorder for less than half of it is high quality. This is especially important for DVR's, as the highest quality mode uses much more memory and you do not want to be halfway through a meeting or interview and find you out of memory.
There are usually two levels of sensitivity available on a Dictaphone or DVR. LOW is the best for dictation, as the microphone tends to be uni-directional in this mode and will focus on your voice. High sensitivity captures sound in all directions with unwanted background noise.
Dictaphones and Digital Voice Recorders: Other features to consider
• Voice Activate System (VAS) - dictaphones or DVR's with VAS will automatically detect when they hear your voice (or other sound) without having to push any buttons. Great for when your hands are tied up.
• Alarm clock - to remind you when an activity or one hour, you can set to automatically record between two times
• Tie clip microphone - hands-free recording
• headphones - to play when you do not want to disturb others
• Rechargeable batteries and a battery indicator
• Microphones can either be embedded or removable. If you want your Dictaphone or DVR for a higher quality of recording as music, look for one with a microphone jack
• Speakers - most are built in, but some models have detachable speakers that can be used for presentations.
• Digital storage - some come with more than others
• Hands-free or foot controls - keep your hands free to write or play an instrument
• Automatic backspace - automatically turn the desired number of seconds for input or playback
Transcriber and Docking Stations
All digital transcription systems require that you use a foot pedal connected to your computer. This allows you to rewrite files from your Dictaphone or DVR from audio to text by listening and writing a few seconds at a time.
Docking stations make it very easy to download the files you've recorded to your computer. Some docking stations also recharge the batteries on your recorder, which is ideal if your voice is in high use.
