| Dictaphones or Digital Voice Recorders (DVRs) are | | | | ability to insert dictation but it can be very difficult to |
| ideal for recording voice memos, interviews, | | | | find the point you want. With the Thumb slide switch it |
| conferences, meetings and phone conversations. The | | | | is much easier to review and control with rewind |
| term Dictaphone is a brand name that refers to the | | | | review capability, rewind, insert, play and stop. |
| version that uses cassette tapes to record, as | | | | Which Mode? |
| opposed to the newer Digital Voice Recorders (DVR) | | | | There are three levels of recording quality and differing |
| that the save the audio to memory. | | | | recording times. The longer the recording time the |
| Digital Voice Recorder (DVR) | | | | lower the quality. |
| • Use your USB port to save typing time by | | | | High Quality (HQ) - 43 mins approx. |
| directly transferring audio files from your DVR to your | | | | Short Play (SP) - 65 mins approx. |
| computer | | | | Long Play (LP) - 121 mins approx. |
| • With the DVR there is no need to rewind; | | | | Advertisers usually display the longest recording time, |
| when you finish recording you simply press the play | | | | so keep in mind that the Dictaphone or DVR will |
| button to playback immediately | | | | record at less than half of that on high quality. This is |
| • Each audio file you record to your DVR is | | | | particularly important for DVR's, as the higher quality |
| automatically saved under a number with a | | | | mode uses much more memory and you don't want |
| time-and-date stamp | | | | to be halfway through a meeting or interview and find |
| • The DVR usually has between 2 to 5 | | | | you are out of memory. |
| folders to separate audio for better organization | | | | There are usually two levels of sensitivity available on |
| • Some DVR's allow you to move messages | | | | a Dictaphone or DVR. LOW is the best for dictation, |
| between folders and split or delete messages | | | | as the microphone tends to be uni-directional in this |
| • You won't cause a distraction during | | | | mode and will focus on your voice. HIGH sensitivity |
| meetings or conferences changing tapes and you | | | | picks up sound in all directions along with unwanted |
| won't miss anything important whilst doing so | | | | background noise. |
| • Some DVR's come with software that | | | | Dictaphones and Digital Voice Recorders: Other |
| automatically converts the voice file to text for easy | | | | Features to Consider |
| transcription | | | | • Voice Activate System (VAS) - |
| • Newer DVR's have expandable memory | | | | Dictaphones or DVR's with VAS will automatically |
| and come with external memory cards. Look out for | | | | record when they hear your voice (or other sound) |
| this as it gives you more flexibility with recording time | | | | without having to push any buttons. Great for when |
| and makes it easier to download audio to your | | | | your hands are tied up. |
| computer | | | | • Alarm - to remind you when to record or a |
| • The DVR is normally powered by 1 or 2 | | | | timer that you can set to automatically record |
| AAA alkaline or rechargeable batteries | | | | between two times |
| Cassette Tape/Dictaphone | | | | • Tie clip microphone - for hands free |
| • Choose between Mini, Micro or Standard; | | | | recording |
| Mini cassettes (15min per side) hold half of the content | | | | • Earphones - for play back when you do not |
| of Standard and Micro (30mins per side) | | | | want to disturb others |
| • Cassette Tape Dictaphones can be played | | | | • Rechargeable batteries and a battery level |
| on any player that takes the respective size | | | | indicator |
| • With digital you only have a limited amount | | | | • Microphones can either be built in or |
| of space to store recordings (if you have no external | | | | detachable. If you want your Dictaphone or DVR for a |
| memory card) - whereas with a cassette tape | | | | higher quality of recording such as music, then look for |
| Dictaphone you can simply exchange tapes if you run | | | | one with a microphone jack |
| out of room | | | | • Speakers - most are built in but some |
| • Battery life is longer in a Dictaphone than a | | | | models have detachable speakers that can be used |
| Digital Voice Recorder | | | | for presentations. |
| • A Dictaphone is a cheaper alternative | | | | • Digital storage - some come with more than |
| • There is no digital storage on a Dictaphone | | | | others |
| cassette tape | | | | • Hands free or foot control - keep your |
| • Reuse the cassettes - you can buy a | | | | hands free for typing or playing an instrument |
| machine that automatically erases micro and mini | | | | • Automatic backspace - automatically |
| cassettes | | | | reverse the desired number of seconds for input or |
| • Many come with equipment specifically for | | | | playback |
| recording phone conversations | | | | Transcribers and Docking Stations |
| Desktop or Portable Voice Recorder? | | | | All digital transcription systems require you to use a |
| Desktop DVR's or Dictaphones are generally cheaper | | | | foot pedal connected to your computer. This enables |
| and are ideal for recording phone conversations or are | | | | you to transcribe files from your Dictaphone or DVR |
| used in conjunction with transcription software. There | | | | from audio to text by listening and typing a few |
| are numerous models of portable Dictaphones varying | | | | seconds at a time. |
| in size and ability, but are all ideal if you are on the road | | | | Docking stations make it very easy to download the |
| or need a Dictaphone or DVR for times of inspiration. | | | | files you have recorded to your computer. Some |
| Push Button or Thumb Slide Recorders? | | | | docking stations also recharge the batteries on your |
| Push Button Cassette Recorders usually have the | | | | recorder, which is ideal if your Dictaphone is in high use. |