Sony ICD-BM1 Digital Voice Recorder
Sony ICD-BM1 Digital Voice Recorder
Manufacturer: Sony
Professional quality sound and high-level functionality are what distinguish the ICD-BM1 Digital Voice Recorder. It features up to 347 minutes of recording time on the supplied 16 MB Memory Stick and a maximum sampling rate of 44.1kHz. The ICD-BM1 has slide control switch operation, voice e-mail function, Hi/Lo mic sensitivity, built-in microphone and playback speaker, priority setting and digital overwrite/cut function. It is compatible with Dragon Naturally Speaking Preferred Voice-To-Print Software and has USB connectivity for high speed copying of files to a PC.
Amazon.com Product Description:
Professional quality sound and high-level functionality are what distinguish the ICD-BM1 Digital Voice Recorder. Sony has designed a powerful, sleek recorder with a seamless aluminum body. Whether you're recording grandma for an audio-genealogy or interviewing a famous celebrity, this device makes super-pro recordings and is built to last.
It features up to 347 minutes of recording time on the supplied 16 MB memory stick and a maximum sampling rate of 44.1 kHz. The memory stick is removable so you can replace it with a larger capacity stick, or simply keep an empty stick handy in case you run out of memory. Once you record something through the mic, the sampling rate allows you to transfer the sounds into a digital format. This recorder features new LPEC codec with improved frequency response to deliver the highest quality sound. Transferring recorded sounds to digital format is an excellent, responsible way to preserve important interviews. Plus, it allows you to upload, download, email, and manipulate your recordings digitally on your computer.
The ICD-BM1 features a slide control switch for quick, responsive recording; a hi/lo mic sensitivity switch for recording in quiet or noisy environments; a built-in microphone and playback speaker; and digital overwrite/cut function for on-the-spot audio editing. All this functionality is powered by two AAA batteries that run for up to 10 hours continuously.
Finally, with the voice email function, you can record spoken email messages and send them later as audio attachments. The included software will help you master this functionality. This recorder is also compatible with Dragon Naturally Speaking Preferred Voice-To-Print Software and has USB connectivity for high speed copying of files to a PC.
What's in the Box
Digital voice recorder, 16 MB memory stick, PC download software, earphone, USB cable, and carrying case.
Lowest Used Price: USD 349.00
Lowest New Price: USD 224.99
Lowest Refurbished Price: USD 155.00
- Record up to 347 minutes on the supplied 16 MB memory stick
- Features new LPEC codec to deliver high quality samples at 44.1 kHz
- Built-in playback speaker and microphone
- USB connectivity for high speed file copying
- Professional, seamless aluminum body
Model: ICDBM1
good professional quality recorder
I researched the available choices for digital voice recorders for quite some time before settling on this one. It turns out the Sony ICD-BMx series is the only professional level "dictating" recorder available from Sony (discounting their DAT models). All the others don't have the all-important "slide switch" mentioned previously. The Olympus DS4000 and Phillips Pocket Memo 9360/9600 also have this switch. As far as I know, these are the only real options for professional-level dictation. Most of the other ones have features (stereo mic, etc.) that are better suited for other uses (recording lectures, etc.- which the BM1 can still do).
I'm quite happy with the ICD-BM1A, and the latest update to the editing software auto-saves your new dictation files into mp3 or wav, to the directory of your choice, upon inserting the memory stick into your computer's reader, or connecting the usb cable to the recorder. Couldn't be easier, aside from may be having a docking cradle to make the process perfect.
No way to download Digital Voice Editor Software
I bought a Sony ICD-MX20 digital voice recorder a week ago. I was surprised that Sony does not provide downloads of the associated software named "Digital Voice Editor". Sony Customer Service staff told me that if you lost the CD that came with the box, you had to buy a new one. Only patches of the software are available to download.
This immoral policy violating the norm of digital appliance industries and should not be encouraged. Sony is demoting its brand name by offering poor post-sales services. Think twice before making your buying decision.
Ripped off by Sony
RIPPED OFF BY SONY Just purchased this for my daughter at college. It records for less than a hour with the included 32MB card. ALL HIGHER CAPACITY CARDS ARE INCOMATIBLE AND ALL COMPATIBLE CARDS ARE OUT OF PRODUCTION.
Not worth the money
The transaction went fine. The product is comparatively far over priced. I was almost "drummed out" of an organization where I am the secretary, for spending that much on this item. We have a competitor's product for half the price, that rivals this Sony ICD-BM1 Recorder. Don't buy it!
Great Quality Recordings - but completely incompatible with macs
What's annoying about this solid recorder is that Sony hasn't elected to make it compatible with mac. It records in a proprietary format which you can't convert out of (or even play) in mac, and it's not exactly easy to convert out of the msw format in windows either (requiring multiple different downloads, or an initial conversion to aiff with the provided software). For a while I had to run virtual pc to get my recordings - and that is just way too much hassle.
I used to love Sony's products, but now, I just wish they would work with other technologies in my workstream (Sony should look to how apple learned its lesson with interoperability).
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