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: Excellent Recorder for size and price
Summary: 4 Stars
ICD MX20 Review
Overall this is a very good little recorder. I purchased it to use its omni-directional feature in small group settings (small group dialogues with a Zen teacher). I like having a memory stick, which holds a lot of recording time and allows for easy transference to my PC and its digital editing program. The sound quality is quite good, given its size and price, and its recordings are suitable for a non-professional CD that can be shared with others.
When I purchased it I did a lot of testing to see how well it worked and which settings best met my needs. With my recorder, the stereo STLP setting with mono mic gives a little better volume than the mono SP/SPLP settings for an omni-directional recording.
The recorder is very easy to use for basic recording. It is easy to start recording and easy to stop; then it is easy to resume without any fear of recording over the previous recording. It is a good idea to use the lock mechanism on the back so the recorder is not turned on accidentally between uses.
I also make a point of being sure it is set to record onto the memory stick rather than the built in memory before each use (since I want to use the memory stick). (Sometimes if I take out the memory stick in order to transfer files to my computer, then put the memory stick back in the recorder, later I will find that the recorder is set to record onto the built in memory instead of the memory stick - that is why I always check before recording.)
This is not a recorder that will record off of a mixer or external source (CD player, etc.). It does record well using an external lapel mic (Sony T145). When I tested it with three different, small, external boundary mics, (Sony ECM-R100, Sony ECM-FO1 flat mic, and Audio Technica ATR97) I found that I got the best omni-directional recording just using the recorder by itself.
I did have repair problems. Initially my recorder had a problem erasing files, so I returned it to Sony and received a replacement (refurbished) unit. That also had problems with the erasing feature so I returned it for repair, sending a detailed letter describing the problem with the unit. For some reason the repair person was not given my letter, so he did not notice the problem and returned the unit. I sent it back and after some efforts to communicate with the repair person, was able to finally get it repaired and returned. This was a frustrating experience. In the end, Sony followed through, and I was fortunate that the repair issues happened under warranty.
I am giving this unit 4 stars because for its size and price it is really excellent...but there were the repair problems.
Customer Review: Good recording quality, some flaws
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this recorder to replace a previous Sony model that I'd been very happy with, but wanted longer recording capacity. The ICD-MX20 works very well in terms of recording quality, but it has a few design flaws I didn't notice mentioned in other reviews.
First, the main control is a very fiddly little joystick in the middle of the unit, and it's very easy to press the wrong direction (the main problem is that the main play/pause button is controlled by pressing it into the unit, whilst skip etc are up/down/left/right and it often fires off these by accident). The other thing (which is really quite a bit problem for me) is that even when the 'hold' button is on, the unit powers up when any of the buttons are pressed to tell you that the hold button is on. This means that you can't keep it in your pocket (which I did for my old Sony). You can put new batteries in the unit (I'm using 850mAH NiMH) and 2 days later the battery will be flat, even if you didn't use it and the hold button was on the whole time.
That said, I'm fairly happy with the unit. I keep it in my bag, and that fixes the 'hold' issue, but I wish Sony would fix the design issues. It's good, but could so easily be great.
Customer Review: No MP3 support but very high quality device
Summary: 4 Stars
I was mislead with Amazon review which said it supports conversion to MP3 format with the software supplied, it does not. The help quite clearly states "You cannot convert a file into an MP3 file". It will convert to .wav then you can use a 3rd party program to go to MP3.
If it had MP3 support (at least conversion on the PC from the Sony proprietary format which is .msv) I would have given it 5 stars due to the good software supplied and the amazing sound quality possible. It you record in full quality mode (1.25 hours with built in 32meg memory) and listen to it again with good headphones it does sound amazing. The Voice Up (so you hear each person in a conversation) works very well as do other nice features.
But it is let down with the software supplied not performing MP3 conversion. Going to .wav then .mp3 with another program is a pain and simply converting to .wav to get away from proprietary .msv takes up too much space.
But I would buy one again, as it is very easy to use, small, and very high quality. I just hope Sony would listen to consumers and support MP3.
Customer Review: Works well with digital transciption
Summary: 4 Stars
I purchased this recorder specifically for working with Dragon 11 Voice Recognition software. I use it as a home inspector to record notes in the field for transcription back at the office (opposed to writing and then typing them up). I have been using it for about three weeks now and it works like a champ. I am very pleased with the results, particuarly after reading some of the negative reviews.
Customer Review: Adjuster
Summary: 4 Stars
I haven't used this recorder enough to give a thorough opinion and this is my first digital recorder. SO far it seems to do what it is supposed to although the playback speaker is a bit weak, but with its size the speaker capability is limited. All in all I'm pleased so far.