Sony ICD-B100 Digital Voice Recorder (Silver)
The introductory model of IC recorders has been revamped with the loading of the high-quality mode.A long recording time of approximately 8 hours is realized with the 16MB of built-in memory (LP mode). The high quality (HQ) mode loaded within provides an even, more clearly audible sound quality. The maximum output of the 250mW and frontal arrangement of the main buttons enable an enhanced operational ability. Visibility has been improved with the large LCD (message numbers, remaining memory, file icons, etc.).
With up to eight hours of recording time, the svelte, silver ICD-B100 makes a great voice recording or dictation solution. Its 16 MB of internal memory supports a high quality recording mode that allows you to capture clear and crisp voice recordings. You can also set standard and long-play modes that give you the maximum recording time possible. Meanwhile, voice operated recording lets you trigger the recorder with the sound of your voice. An easy, intuitive control layout, plus a large LCD screen make using the ICD-B100 a snap. One touch buttons on the front panel offer quick control of record, play, stop, fast forward and rewind functions. The unit is also compact and lightweight for use in the field, and its internal memory allows you to set up as many as four voice file folders so you can quickly organize and navigate to your recordings. Powered by two AAA batteries (included), the ICD-B100's low power consumption will keep you rolling for hours. What's in the Box
ICD-B100 digital voice recorder, 2 AAA batteries.
Sony ICD-B100 Digital Voice Recorder (Silver) Accessories
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Sony ICD-B100 Digital Voice Recorder (Silver) Reviews
Director DCPR This is the best recorder I have for recording EVP - not good for recording voices in large, echo-ey places, but is very easy to work with and I have had NO problems with it and it has been used and abused in all types of weather. Laurie. (Very echoey area). The only time I had a hard time hearing playback was trying to listen to human voices recorded in the pool area on the Queen Mary.
If you want something small and digital that records with no bells and whistles, this is it. It plays it back. It records. I use this to record lectures. The sound isn't the greatest when listening to what was said, but if you put on headphones, that helps A LOT.
And thirdly, the volume control on the Olympus is a old fashioned volume control that you rotate with your finger to increase/decrease volume. This is not the case. Let me explain:. Keep in mind this Olympus recorder is few years older than the Sony. With the Olympus, you press the same button to start recording as you do to stop it. The Sony implements volume control using two digital buttons, one each for up/down. Although from what I understand even newer Olympus models are different in operation from the VN-1800. This is truly poor interface design.
I've compared the Sony ICD-B100 recorder to the Olympus VN-1800 which I bought a couple of years ago. One would expect, then, that the Sony is the superior product. As you probably can detect from this review I am somewhat disappointed with the Sony ICD-B100. This means it is always falling out of my shirt pocket when I lean or bend over.
Why have multiple buttons marked STOP. I guess you have to find your own. If you mistakenly press the PLAY/STOP one the recording will stop but immediately playback the just-finished recording, which is probably NOT what you meant to do. This is nice because you can quickly change the volume.
Another stupid thing is how the Sony handles the keypad lock function. Keypad lock is useful when you have always full pockets like I do and need to make sure the unit does not accidentally start recording or playback. As for the user interface and overall product usability the Sony is the loser here. This means that you can't quickly adjust volume like on the Olympus. In theory if you hold down VOL + the volume will increase rapidly but in reality there is a delay before the rapid increase kicks in, making the feature useless.
There is a REC/PAUSE button, another labelled PLAY/STOP and yet another smaller one labelled STOP. The Sony keeps the display exactly the same, so the only way to determine whether the unit is locked is to either check the lock switch before operating OR press a button and see if the function starts (in which case it's unlocked) or the display flashes "lock" (in which case it was locked when you pressed a button). Both use two AAA batteries and are approximately the same size although the Sony is a bit taller. To start recording you press REC, then to stop you press the small inconveniently located STOP button (not the PLAY/STOP one).
For starters the Sony doesn't come with a shirt pocket clip like the Olympus. Both devices have a sliding switch which enables/disables the buttons but on the Olympus when the unit is locked the display is mostly blank, so you can determine that the device is locked at a glance. This is intolerable, especially for a product that has Sony's name on it. With the Sony there are many more buttons, making operation more difficult.
The Sony doesn't have a shirt clip but comes with a *hole* for use with a lanyard or handstrap but *no lanyard* was provided with the product.
When there is no recording going on the and hold button is activated, the device will turn off itself and everything will be saved. The hold button on the side acts as the power button. duh. Just like an ipod's hold switch, this works very well. the reviewers that gave this recorder one star obviously didn't read the instruction manuel. If you try to do hold while recording, it will keep recording. To all those saying that there is not an off switch, there is.
Also, eight hours are enough for records with very low quality. In the end, you can not put you information somewhere else (computer or other tape recorder). I bought it in WalMart and returned it. For good quality there are only 1hour 30 minutes. I wonder, why there is no switcher ON/OFF.
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