Mobile Computing: Digital Voice Recorders

We evaluate options for recording memos on the go.

James A. Martin

Feature: Voice Memos on the Go

Truly inspired ideas often occur when you're unable to write them down--a situation most mobile professionals have experienced. So I think it's a good idea to keep a digital voice recorder handy as often as possible for on-the-go dictation.

Digital voice recorders let you record memos, meetings, and phone conversations--with permission, of course. Unlike tape recorders, though, the recordings are stored in.wma,.wav, and other formats. You can listen to the files on the recorder itself or transfer them to your PC for playback, archiving, and sending to others as e-mail attachments. Depending on the recording device, you can even use voice recognition software to transcribe your recordings into text, though the results can be spotty.

Fortunately, there are many options for digital voice recording. In fact, if you own a digital audio player, a Pocket PC, or a high-end Palm PDA, you may already have that capability. Here's a look at the ways you can create digital voice recordings and what to expect with each method.

Digital Audio Players

Some MP3 players feature built-in voice recording software and microphones. Devices in this category include the Dell Digital Jukebox (aka the Dell DJ), the Frontier Labs NexIa, the IRiver IHP-120, and the MP-110 from Jens of Sweden. Typically, these players record in mono rather than stereo, which is no big deal for basic voice recordings. The length of the recordings is dependent on the player's available storage space. The recordings you make can be transferred to a computer via a flash memory card, a USB connection, and so on.

Apple's IPod doesn't include a built-in microphone, but you can add one via Belkin's Voice Recorder for IPod w/Dock Connector ($60; you can check the PC World Product Finder for the latest prices). The microphone, which includes a small (16mm) speaker, snaps into the IPod's headphone and remote ports. In my informal tests, the mono recordings (in.wav format) were easy to make and easily accessible for playback from within ITunes, Apple's music software. The sound quality was adequate, though a bit fuzzy and distorted at high volumes.

Bottom line: If you frequently carry tunes with you, and need only basic and occasional voice recordings, an MP3 player with voice recording capability is the way to go.

For the latest prices on MP3 players, check our Product Finder.

PDAs

The majority of Pocket PCs have voice recording capabilities, including the entire Hewlett-Packard IPaq line, the Dell Axim X3i, and the Toshiba Pocket PC e750.

Palm OS PDAs with voice recording capabilities tend to be high-end models. For instance, the least expensive PalmOne model with voice recording is the $329 Tungsten T2. Sony's lowest-priced Clie with voice recording is the $300 TG50.

Usually, PDAs with voice recording capabilities feature an on/off button to begin and end recordings. The recordings are automatically transferred to your computer when you synchronize the devices. The mono recordings (in.wma format) I've made with the Palm Tungsten T3 are of good quality, lacking the slight distortion of the IPod/Belkin recordings.

Bottom line: Most of us carry a PDA on the go, so a model with a built-in voice recorder is a real convenience. Make sure your PDA has plenty of memory, though, or you'll be limited to making only brief recordings.

For the latest prices on PDAs, check our Product Finder. To see PDAs we've tested recently, go to our Top 10 chart.

Digital Voice Recorders

Olympus, Panasonic, and others make a variety of dedicated digital voice recorders. Some models, such as the Olympus DM-10 and DM-20, can act as stereo MP3 players, too. Others, such as the Panasonic RR-US006, come with a desktop stand that has a speaker and controls for easy playback, such as fast-forward and reverse buttons. Almost all models can connect to a computer via a USB port. Typically, digital voice recorders come with software that lets you upload and download audio files between your computer and the recorder, play the recordings on your computer, rename files, and so on.

In my informal tests of the Olympus DM-20 ($290) and the Panasonic RR-US006 ($200), I found the Olympus recorder to be the easier to use out of the box. Its hardware controls were readily identifiable, and setting preferences, such as recording quality, through on-screen menus was a snap. Recording sound quality was excellent.

With the Olympus DM-20's built-in 128MB of memory, you can record up to 44 hours in LP mode, the lowest quality setting. Keep in mind that the DM-20 is not aimed at consumers, and it isn't widely available for purchase online, according to a company spokesperson. Nonetheless, I found the DM-20 at the Digital Foto Discount Club for $280. The Olympus DM-10 ($149) is designed for consumers--but it has only 64MB of memory.

Overall, though, I prefer the Panasonic RR-US006. First, some caveats: Its recording quality wasn't as good as the Olympus model; recordings were a tad fuzzy in places and not as rich. And with the ability to record only 7 hours in LP mode, the RR-US006 has nowhere near the 44-hour recording capacity of the Olympus model.

But the Panasonic's desktop stand makes playback from the recorder extremely easy. Also, the RR-US006 includes Voice Editor 3, which integrates nicely with Dragon NaturallySpeaking 7.0, the leading voice recognition program.

Using the Panasonic recorder and its software, I was able to quickly import my voice recordings into NaturallySpeaking, which then transcribed the recordings into text. The accuracy was fair--about 60 percent of the recorded words were transcribed accurately. But voice recognition improves with use, so over time, my recordings are likely to be transcribed more accurately.

Bottom line: If you plan to make lots of voice recordings and you want the best audio quality, you should consider a digital voice recorder over an MP3 player or PDA. The Olympus DM-20 is a great choice for those who want high-quality digital voice recordings but don't care about voice recognition. But if you want to transcribe your notes using voice recognition software, or you want to play your notes back easily from the recorder itself (as opposed to on your PC), go with the Panasonic RR-US006.

And Now: Your Bottom Line

Do you regularly use a digital voice recording device of some kind? If so, I'd like to hear about your experiences--the device you're using, recording quality, ease of use, and so on. Please send me e-mail.

Notebooks & Accessories

Hands On: Plantronics Headset-Microphone

Speaking of voice recognition, here's a tip: The built-in audio processor--which pumps sound out to the computer's speakers and processes audio input--in typical notebooks can't compare to the more powerful audio chips installed in most desktop PCs. That's a big disadvantage for notebooks users who want to take advantage of voice recognition software, Internet telephony, or other applications that require a powerful audio card for optimal results.

I've tried using voice recognition software and standard microphones to dictate text on my Dell Inspiron 8100 notebook, but the frequent errors were extremely frustrating. (My notebook has an ESS Maestro PCI audio chip, which is adequate but not up to such demanding tasks as accurate voice recognition.)

To improve my results, I've been using a noise-canceling headset/microphone, the Plantronics DSP-400 ($89; check our Product Finder for the latest prices), to dictate text into my Inspiron. The USB device features its own digital signal processor, designed to improve voice recognition accuracy and overall sound quality on computers with average or subpar audio processors. The DSP-400's stereo headset can be folded compactly for travel, too; a carrying case is included.

I saw an immediate improvement in voice recognition accuracy when I used the DSP-400 with my NaturallySpeaking 7.0 software. But I found the headset to be uncomfortable to wear, so I wouldn't recommend it for long hours of listening to music. For dictation, however, I just wear the headset around my neck and position the microphone toward my mouth. It's a worthy solution for notebook users interested in voice recognition to reduce typing, or for other audio applications.

Tip: Keep Your Battery From Blowing Its Top

No doubt you've heard or read stories about notebook batteries catching fire or exploding. Before you file such stories in the Urban Myths folder, consider this: Electrochemistry experts say the danger, though rare, is real. Lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in today's notebooks, use cobalt oxide--a substance with a tendency to self-heat. The good news is that safer alternatives, such as a phosphate technology, are in development.

In the meantime, play it safe by replacing lithium-ion batteries every two to three years (constant recharging weakens the battery). And don't leave your notebook in a car trunk, where the temperature can easily go above 140 degrees Fahrenheit, the point at which self-heating can occur.

Review: A ThinkPad Worth Contemplating

In the words of PC World reviewer Carla Thornton, "Ultraportables don't get much better than the ThinkPad X31." The notebook weighs under 4 pounds, yet features a keyboard that feels as spacious as a full-size notebook keyboard. The ThinkPad X31 also includes an impressive array of ports, including FireWire, and CompactFlash slots. Battery life was noteworthy for an ultraportable, lasting 4.8 hours on one charge in PC World tests. The notebook lacks an internal optical drive, though you can add one externally with IBM's optional UltraBase docking station ($199). Read Carla's complete review for more details. For the latest prices (around $1300 to $1400), check our Product Finder.

PDAs & Gadgets

Trend: The Future of PDA Power

Sometime next year, new PDAs powered by long-lived fuel-cell technology are expected to be available. Hitachi has co-developed a prototype direct methanol fuel cell that mixes methanol with air and water to generate electrical power. The prototype fuel cell is a cartridge about 0.4 inches in diameter and 1.9 inches to 2.4 inches long--about the size of a AA battery, according to the company.

News: Microsoft Wants Your Wrist

Coming soon to a wrist near you: A watch that displays the latest weather, news, sports scores, and Wall Street gyrations, using Microsoft's Smart Personal Objects Technology and its MSN Direct Service. The Fossil watches, first announced a year ago, are finally becoming available in January, beginning at $129. Monthly service plans are $10 per month or $60 per year.

It's been rumored that the watches, in a nod to quaint tradition, will also tell time. For pricing and information on specific models, go to Fossil's Web site.

News: A Jukebox for Your Key Chain

Lexar Media's JumpDrive Music is a small, oval USB flash memory storage device that is also a full-featured MP3 player. Pricing is $90 for a 128MB model and $160 for a version with 256MB; both models are compatible with USB 1.1 and 2.0, and they work with Windows and Mac computers.

Wireless

News: BlackBerry on a Palm

The choice between a Palm OS PDA and a BlackBerry device for wireless e-mail is a tough one. But things are looking up: PalmSource and Research In Motion have announced plans to jointly develop software that will enable users of Palm OS-based wireless PDAs and smart phones to connect to RIM's BlackBerry Enterprise Server. The software will also support BlackBerry Web Client, a wireless Internet e-mail service for individuals and small businesses that doesn't require the BlackBerry Enterprise Server.

Past Newsletter Topics

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