[sengsational]

On Nov 29 2007, 12:54 pm, sengsational
wrote:
Does anyone know which Sony voice recorders can do the following:

1) accept mp3 files via USB transfer
2) allows simple to execute skip-ahead (10 seconds or so)
3) allows resume of track playback from the point where playback last
stopped

Right now I have an MP3 player that handles 1), but has no 2) or 3)
(if I turn if off, it starts at the beginning of the track). I
download MP3 netcasts to listen to in the car, but I want a one-button
skip ahead (I know one Sony has this feature, but forgot the model
number) so I can skip the repetitive commercials. And some of these
netcasts are longer than my commute, so the ability to re-start in the
middle of a "track" (where I left off) is essential.

Why is it so hard to get detailed specs on these digital voice
recorders? Or am I just missing it. I broke-down and went to Best
Buy to get one ... none of the recorders that were out had batteries,
the sales associate couldn't find the instructions for any of them,
and the less expensive recorders were inside indestructable plastic
packaging, locking away both the unit and instructions. Circuit City
had only the units in the indestructable plastic, and nary a sales
associate to be found. So remind me why I even bother to drive to
those brick and mortar places! Ok. End rant.

Maybe someone knows of a nice article on some recent voice recorder
models? One with enough detail for me to know if 2) and 3) are
available, or better yet, personal experience with one of these
devices that fits the bill.

I'll answer my own question in a "pay it forward" kind of way...

I didn't get a Sony, but I solved my problem. My daughter got a
fairly inexpensive Olympus voice recorder for Christmas. It didn't
have MP3 capability, but it let you navigate within the parameters I
specified in my OP. So I took a bit of a risk and just bought an
Olympus DVR (Digital Voice Recorder) with MP3 capabilities: Olympus
WS-311M Digital Voice Recorder and WMA Music Player that will do
this. I bought a used one on eBay for like $55, but they go for $80
new. I'm not claiming this is the _only_ device that would work for
me, but I know this one does, since I've been using it a few months
now.

This unit has a "music" mode, that allows for playing MP3 files. I use
the unit to play podcast (netcast) voice audio. The purpose of this
review is to let readers know about how the "fast forward" and
"rewind" functions work on this unit. I have not experimented with
playback of voice files, but I presume it's the same.

The large plus-shaped control you see on the front of the product
allows you to initiate fast forward / skip forward and rewind / skip
back. Pressing the right side of the control starts fast forward (FF).
As you press and hold FF, nothing happens for a moment, then the unit
beeps, then silently begins advancing through the currently playing
recording. The longer you hold down the FF button, the higher the RATE
of advancement. There is a nice "progress bar" on the screen that
shows you the fraction of the recording that has passed. You can
effectively position yourself to begin listening anywhere within the
recording in just a few seconds. For instance, if you hold the FF
button 5 seconds, you'll advance 45 seconds. Hold 10 seconds for a 5
minute advance, 15 seconds for a 20 minute advance, and 20 seconds
will take you over an hour into the recording (the rates seem to be
about 10 seconds per second for seconds 2 through 5, 48 sec for 6-10,
240 sec for 11-15, and 480 sec for 16-20).

Instead of skipping forward, this unit also has the ability to
playback at 150% speed. Of course that doesn't get you very far if you
really want to advance ahead, but it's great for podcasts that have
clear speech, like professional radio, but not so good for less
professional podcasts because they're less understandable to begin
with.

Another fact not described in the literature is whether the unit
"saves your place" within a track if you have to stop listening. The
news is good he if you stop in the middle of a track, and "power
off" (actually called "hold" from some strange reason), then "power
on", you will start at the point you left off (not at the beginning of
the track). You DO "loose your place" if you plug the unit into your
computer via the USB port, or even switch to the voice mode, but are
able to change the battery and still keep your spot.

In summary, this unit is great for the podcast listener who doesn't
mind plugging in every day or so (it's only got 512MB -- if you need
more check the WS-331M). The FF controls are effective to skip
commercials in podcasts and you can set it down for an hour or a day
and when you hit play, you pick-up where you left off.

--Dale--