How to Buy a Digital Voice Recorder

Digital voice recorders are more convenient, and often lighter, than cassette recorders. You can even buy software that will transcribe your recordings directly into a document. These steps can help you choose a digital voice recorder that meets your needs.

Tips for buying a digital voice recorder

1. Remember that you can buy digital voice recorders that are light and can be taken almost anywhere. There are not tapes to turn over or keep track of. So, consider how you will put your digital recorder to use. If you want a digital voice recorder to take random notes, to record your thoughts as you drive or walk or to record reminders, than a modest model will work fine. If, however, you plan on using a digital voice recorder for recording lectures, meetings and documents, then you will likely want a more powerful model.
2. The smaller digital voice recorders can record about 90 minutes of material. The more powerful, more expensive models can record up to 90 hours of material. Keep in mind that the quality of the recording lessens the longer you record. That's why many digital voice recorders come with SP and LP switches, like many VCRs once did. SP stands for short play, and provides a higher quality recording. LP stands for long play, and sets the device to record for long periods of time.
3. Digital voice recorders can include several features designed to help you organize your recordings. You may find it convenient to be able to place recordings in thematic files, like “Grocery List” and “HR Meeting.” Some recorders also allow you to store recordings by date, which is good if you are keeping an oral journal or want your recordings kept in a specific sequence. Compare features on different models before you buy so that you know the full range of storage possibilities.
4. The biggest advantage of digital voice recorders may be that you can transfer your voice recordings to your laptop or desktop computer. This will free room on your recorder without necessitating the deletion of past recordings. Even better, there is now software that will transcribe your digital voice recordings into documents. This means you can write a draft of an entire paper, email or proposal by recording it on your digital voice recorder and then having it converted to a document. Again, whether you go with a digital voice recorder that allows file transfer and transcription depends on how much and for what you will use the device.
5. An added bonus is the fact that some digital voice recorders include MP3 capabilites. This means you can download music onto your digital voice recorder and listen to it when you are not recording-wherever you go.

Caution

Before you purchase a digital voice recorder, learn what kind of batteries it uses and how often they need to be replaced. Also consider a model that can be recharged.

Where to buy a digital voice recorder

You can buy a digital voice recorder online at one of these Web retailers--

Find an array of digital voice recorders, including several with MP3 capabilities at Amazon.

JR.com has several models of digital voice recorders. Shop by price and brand.

Office Depot also offers several brands of digital voice recorders and allows you to compare them to one another.