Digital Voice Recorders (Dictaphone)

As their name suggests, these products enable you to log speech and other types of audio that you can play back and listen to time and time again, whenever you like. Also known as dictation machines and Dictaphones - although the latter is actually a trademark that has become genericised - there are a range of products to choose from.

Choosing A Digital Voice Recorder

If you're hoping to buy a digital voice recorder, it's worth considering the following factors so you can make an informed decision about which device to get.

Recording/Playback

The main factor that will determine a dictation machine's recording capabilities is its storage capacity. For those wanting to record a lot of footage, a device with an 8GB memory can provide more than 2,100 hours of recording time, although 2GB and 4GB models are also available. Whichever memory level you buy, you'll of course want to listen to the audio you've recorded, so it's worth looking at playback performance. Some recorders offer advanced euphony options that expand the sound space to create a realistic audio experience. It's also a good idea to consider the format that a machine will record in, whether it's mp3, DSS or Windows Media Audio.

Additional Features

Depending on the model you get, you can take advantage of a range of fantastic features. Certain items have editing functions that allow you to overwrite parts of the audio footage you have recorded, while others come with audio calendars and FM radio.