Speech-to-Text Recorders

Compatibility with transcription software is important

As speech-to-text software has advanced and file transfer speeds have increased, a digital recorder's ability to work well with leading transcription software has become ever more important. Nuance's Dragon NaturallySpeaking voice recognition software is perhaps the best known and most widely recommended example. For more information, see the separate ConsumerSearch report on voice recognition software.

The Sony ICD-MX20 (*Est. $200) scores higher than any other digital recorder on NaturallySpeaking's accuracy score, one of the reasons why James A. Martin of PC World proclaims it to be the "best digital voice recorder." His own experience confirms the high accuracy score. Though she reviews a discontinued package that also included Dragon NaturallySpeaking speech-to-text software, Susan Ward of About.com also puts the Sony ICD-MX20 at the top of her list of favorite digital recorders for transcribing for much the same reasons as Martin notes. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.) Reviews on Amazon.com point to some issues, the most common of which is trouble using the device's joystick, but Martin pointed to this as one of the features he liked with this recorder. At 32 MB, internal flash memory is on the skimpy side, but can hold just under 12 hours in the lowest quality recording mode. However, there is a memory expansion slot that can accommodate Memory Stick PRO duo cards, and that can be used to add up to 16 GB of replaceable memory (and 32 GB Memory Stick PRO Duo cards are said to be on their way). In addition to being available separately, the Sony ICD-MX20 is available in a bundle that includes Dragon NaturallySpeaking Recorder Edition software as the Sony ICD-MX20DR9 (*Est. $240).

As noted in our introduction, Sony recorders do have some design issues that limit their appeal to some, including a proprietary file format that requires software that's not compatible with the Mac OS. If this is a serious issue, the Olympus DS-5000 (*Est. $500) could be a consideration. The Olympus DS-5000 is the top model in the Olympus "professional" series (as opposed to the "consumer" models discussed earlier), and it can hold nearly 180 hours of recording if you upgrade from the included 32 MB card to the maximum 1 GB card. It runs on its own rechargeable batteries or two AAA batteries. It offers powerful file editing features such as the ability to insert edits into previously recorded material.

There are some serious downsides, however. One is a price that's more than twice as high as the Sony ICD-MX20. PC users who want to use Dragon NaturallySpeaking (the software is not Mac-compatible) will also find that accuracy with that package is not as good as with the Sony ICD-MX20. While the Olympus DS-5000 digital recorder has not been extensively reviewed, its predecessor, the Olympus DS-4000, was generally well received.