Sony ICD-MX20 Memory Stick Pro Duo Digital Voice Recorder
by Sony
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Our Price: $369.87 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $149.00 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Sony ICD-MX20 Memory Stick Pro Duo Digital Voice Recorder
Customer Review: The Sony ICD-MX20 Recorder is a great little unit
Summary: 5 Stars
The Sony ICD-MX20 is an amazing little stereo recorder. It is well worth the money if you understand recording devises and can handle more complex type devices. The sound quality is very good, 60 to 17,500 Hz.
FILE STRUCTURE: The proprietary file compression process Sony has is nothing short of fantastic. It is hard to understand how they can squeeze so much into such a small file size. The Sony files can be converted into Wav files with very little effort. Yes, you need a secondary program to convert into mp3 files, but anyone serious about high quality recorders would already have this low cost software.
NAMING FOLDERS: I have read other reviews saying you can not name the folders. This is true if you try from the recorder; however, it is very easy to name them, using the Sony software that comes with the unit. They display on the recorder with the same name.
BATTERIES: As far as eating batteries, if you make use of the "Hold" switch on the back of the recorder, batteries will last a fair amount of time. You can also turn off the record LED, and the display back lighting if you wish, to conserve battery life. I consistently get at least 11 and sometimes up to 12.5 hours of recorded time per set of standard alkaline AAA batteries. If you plan not to use the recorder for an extended amount of time, remove the batteries.
MEMORY: You do NOT have to use Sony proprietary memory sticks. I have two of SanDisk 256 MB memory stick PRO Duo that work fine in this recorder. One of these 256 MB memory sticks is good for more then 11 hours of record time at the highest quality sound.
SUMMERY: If you think you might want to buy this recorder I can understand how some people would be disappointed, if they just picked it up and tried to use it. I believe that reading the manual on this recorder is a must. It has a large number of options on how it records. If you pick the wrong options, you are almost guaranteed to have poor results. If you read through the manual and set things for the type of recording you really want, this little machine will do a fantastic job. It will deliver near CD quality sound, with no recorder motor noise, no microphone background hiss, or pops, just clear clean sound.
Customer Review: Professional Recording Quality
Summary: 5 Stars
In short.-
Things I don't like:
-Proprietary codec. Not universal format (like say mp3)
-Not (standard) UMS
-No Macintosh version of the companion software (but Virtual-PC OK)
-The included pouch is awful
BUT. . . I do like:
-Unlimited recording size. The recorder uses a built in 32 MB FLASH as well as removable MEMORY STICKS(up to 1 GB). The stick format however is PRO-DUO.
-Excellent recording quality, comparable to the one found in $500 to $1000 recorders.
-The built in speaker sounds well, and (with Voice Up activated) distortionless and very loud.
-Three high quality microphones
-USB connectivity.
-Stereo Long Playing mode
-Excellent software (and WMP plug-in available) can convert Sony formats to wav (but the mix of compression and conversion can result in unpredictable quality files). Conversely, the recorder plays mp3 and wav (by first converting automatically to Sony format via software).
-Line-in (Mic), and stereo out (Ear) separate jacks (2)
-Voice Up feature is amazing.
-3 Volts AC/DC adapter input jack (adapter not included) .
BOTTOM LINE: I got one and use it successfully for very important live recordings. By far the best in this area.
However for direct encoding high quality music, I use my iAudio i5 (2 GB). DITTO.
If the price is not an issue and you need PRO quality recordings . . . buy it.
Customer Review: Spendy but good quality
Summary: 5 Stars
It is pretty expensive for a digital voice recorder.
The quality is good, though.
I put 256mb memory stick (pro duo) and I can record 11 hours of lectures with the highest quality sound, which is very impressive.
One small thing I don't like is that it takes several seconds to erase a file, which is annoying when you are trying to erase a number of files.
Also, I couldn't find which direction the mic is directed when you use the directional mic mode.
On the whole, it is a great gadget for those who want to record a lot of lectures and group discussions with high quality. The sound quality is much more natural than my old $50 DVR.
Customer Review: The Best--Give it 10 stars
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm a professional writer and bought this recorder to use with Dragon Naturally Speaking V.9. I tried using an Olympus recorder with V.7 of the software and it didn't work well, even though dictating directly into my computer via a microphone worked great.
The first time I used this Sony with Dragon it transcribed with about 99-percent accuracy. I tried it in a room with background noise and got the same accuracy. Now I can capture thoughts and ideas anywhere I am, and since I live in Savannah, Georgia, that means at the beach.
Customer Review: Wow
Summary: 5 Stars
I am completely amazed at what this little thing can do. It has such clarity with each recording. I took it to my church's choir practice and it had amazing sound. I have used it for dictation while my stereo was playing in the background, and with the directional mic on, as soon as I started talking, you can't hear the stereo. It's crazy how real it sounds. Class starts tomorrow and I can't wait to start recording my teacher's lectures. I'll be using Dragon Naturally Speaking along with it, which is also amazing and such a time saver!