Sony ICD-MS515 Memory Stick Digital Voice Recorder with Voice-to-Print Compatibility
by Sony
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List Price: Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Sony ICD-MS515 Memory Stick Digital Voice Recorder with Voice-to-Print Compatibility
Customer Review: Great for school lectures
Summary: 5 Stars
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. 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. It helped me out alot.Customer Review: Mine Works Great
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm surprised to see negative reviews of this recorder because mine works great. I use it to record lectures and seminar discussions, and it is excellent at recording and playback. I don't have the Voice-to-Print software, so I can't comment on it, but I can say that I love this recorder, and it's worth every penny I paid for it.Customer Review: Consistent performance for over 3 years
Summary: 4 Stars
April 2004
I've owned the MS515-VTP for over a year now. 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 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 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. 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. 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. A strange oversight.
The MS-515 does have a few issues. 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. There is no jack for a power adapter. I guess the designers never realized someone might use it consistently where plugging it in would be preferred to batteries. I use NiMH rechargable batteries and while they don't last as long as alkaline batteries, I just swap between recharged pairs.
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.
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? 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.
I give the MS-515 a B+
A followup and caution since my April 2004 review. Sony was unable to repair the previously mentioned loose mic jack and shipped me a replacement unit. After receiving two reconditioned recorders that both had problems, Sony finally shipped me a brand new unit. They get an A+ for customer service, but it took two swaps and several weeks. The new unit has worked perfectly for several months. Avoid the reconditioned units like the plague.
April 2007 update
Still using the recorder, no problems still works great. I have upgraded the digital voice editor software. It's improved but still doesn't have the features I noted previously as of the 2.3b version. Don't know if this recorder is still made but it's been a great investment for me.
Customer Review: Really awesome Recorder!!!
Summary: 4 Stars
This recorder is the perfect ideal for students. It goes without saying that the sound quality of this product is fantastic. 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. Some of my friends thought the recorder with the leather cover was a cellphone until I told them that it was a recorder. 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. (yeah, unless they have this too. :P
Additionally, The extra memory stick (128MB) has capacity of 17 hours of recording in SP mode. Yes, again SP mode not LP mode!!! With LP it lasts over 50 hours. I don't recommend LP because it does not produce as sharp recording as SP. Anyway. 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. If this recorder costs between $120~160, it would have won my 5 stars.
Customer Review: Great, but missing the little extras.
Summary: 4 Stars
The quality of sound in this compact little marvel is simply amazing. There is no background hissing or humming that is related to the cassette type recorders. The 8mb stick that is included should've been at least 16mb. I use this to record lectures, it saves time and frustration if you can't keep up with the instructors pace of lecture, no worries, you have it recorded. The battery life I've found to last about a week and a half, recording and hour and a half lecture and copying the lecture to my hard drive. I wish sony would've made it possible to save it as an mp3 format. One more little detail that I think was overlooked was to have included an AC adapter with this little unit. Overall a nice addition to all of you gadget nerds out there. Did more than impress with what I received. Nice and compact design. Recessed buttons are nice features as well. I also recommend having this unit fairly close to the instructor to keep your fellow students coughs sneezes and what have you distant and not in your ear.