Dictaphones or Digital Voice Recorders (DVRs) are ideal for recording voice notes, interviews, conferences, meetings and telephone conversations. The Dictaphone is a brand term that refers to the version used cassette tapes to record, as opposed to the latest digital voice recorder (DVR) that keeping the audio in memory.

Digital voice recorder (DVR)

• Use the USB port to save time by writing directly transfer audio files from your DVR to your computer

• With DVR there is no need to rewind, when you finish recording, just press the play button to play immediately

• Each audio file is recorded with the DVR is automatically saved in a number with a time stamp and date

• The DVR is generally between 2 and 5 separate audio folders for better organization

• Some DVRs allow you to move messages between folders, and split or delete messages

• You will not cause a distraction during meetings or conferences of changing tapes and do not miss anything important while doing it

• Some DVR come with software that automatically converts speech into text file for easy transcription

• The new DVR has expandable memory and come with external memory cards. Careful with this, since it gives more flexibility in recording time and makes it easier to download audio to your computer

• The DVR is normally powered by 1 or 2 AAA alkaline or rechargeable batteries

Cassette tape / voice recorder

• Choose between Mini, Micro or Standard; Mini Cassette (15 minutes per side) have half the contents of the Standard and Micro (30 minutes per side)

• Dictaphones Cassette tape can be played on any player that is the size of the respective

• With digital photography has only a limited amount of space to store the recordings (if you have external memory card) - while a voice recorder cassette tape can simply swap tapes if you run out of space

• Battery life is longer in a voice recorder digital voice recorder

• A voice recorder is a cheaper alternative

• No digital storage in a Dictaphone cassette tape

• Reuse of cassettes - you can buy a machine that automatically removes micro and mini cassettes

• Many come with equipment specifically for recording phone conversations

Desktop or portable voice recorder?

Desktop DVR or Dictaphones are generally cheaper and are ideal for recording phone conversations or used in combination with transcription software. There are numerous models of portable Dictaphones varying in size and capacity, but they are all ideal if you're on the road or need a Dictaphone or DVR for the times of inspiration.

Press Recorders thumb button or slide?

Button recorders typically have the ability to insert dictation, but can be very difficult to find the desired point. Through the slide of the thumb is much easier to inspect and review capacity control with reverse, rewind, insert, play and pause.

What mode?

There are three levels of recording quality and recording different times. The longer the recording time the lower the quality.

High Quality (HQ) - 43 min approx.
Short Play (SP) - 65 min approx.
Long Play (LP) - 121 min approx.

Advertisers often show a longer recording time, so keep in mind that the Dictaphone or DVR to record less than half that of high quality. This is particularly important for DVR, because the high quality mode uses much more memory and do not want to be halfway through a meeting or interview and find yourself out of memory.

Usually there are two levels of sensitivity available on a Dictaphone or DVR. Lower is better for dictation, as the microphone tends to be unidirectional in this way and focus on your voice. HIGH sensitivity captures the sound in all directions, along with the unwanted background noise.

Dictaphones and Digital Voice Recorders: Other features to consider

• Activate the voice system (VAS) - EVA dictation or DVR will automatically record when they hear your voice (or other sound) without having to press any buttons. Ideal for when your hands are tied.

• Alarm - to remind you to register or timer can be set to automatically record from two hours

• tie clip microphone - for hands-free recording

• Headphones - for the game back when they want to disturb others

• Rechargeable batteries and a battery level indicator

• Microphones can be integrated or removable. If you want your Dictaphone or DVR for better recording quality as the music, then look for one with a microphone jack

• Speakers - most are built in, but some models have detachable speakers that can be used for presentations.

• Digital storage - some come with more than others

• The hands-free control or foot - keep your hands free to write or play an instrument

• Auto Return - automatically reverse the desired number of seconds for input / playback

Transcribers and Docking Stations

All digital transcription systems require the use of a pedal connected to your computer. This allows you to transcribe dictation files from your DVR audio or text, listening and writing a few seconds at a time.

Docking stations make it very easy to download files that have been registered on the computer. Some docking stations also recharges the batteries in your recorder, which is ideal if your voice recorder is high usage.