Sony ICD-PX820 Digital Voice Recorder (Black)
by Sony
Our Price: $144.99
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $52.99 (click here)
Category: CE
See more product details
Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: SonyModel: ICDPX820
Color: Black
Product features:
- 535 hours2 of recording time (LP mode)
- 2 GB Flash Memory
- Noise Cut Function
- Stereo recording with optional microphone
- Ready for podcast - records in MP3 format, no conversion necessary
- 535 hours of recording time (LP mode)
- Ready for podcast,records in MP3 format, no conversion necessary
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Sony ICD-PX820 Digital Voice Recorder (Black)
Customer Review: (4/5) Decent
Summary: 4 Stars
I got this recorder because it was considerably cheaper than the professional digital recorders I was looking at. First off, I can assure you that if you're deciding between the ICD-BX800 and this ICD-PX820 you should definitely choose this model. It has a crucial ability to connect via USB cable to a computer to save your wanted recordings.
My main purpose for this recorder is for in-class note taking. I first tried using this recorder using LP (Long Play Mode) and the playback was terrible. It had a lot of noise (sounding like those computer labs in old movies with a bunch of subtle beeps); then I switched to SP (Standard Play Mode; which can record over 89 hours). The sound quality at SP mode is a lot better (for note taking that is). I also tried recording in LP Mode with the Noise Cutter on and it still sounds terrible (so stick with SP or higher).
So this recorder should be taken into consideration when you have lectures to record and notes to take; however, as for you singers and musicians, I highly suggest you spending more money for a better quality recorder (one preferably with 3 microphones with microphone wind-guard).
I pushed the recorder a little further and began using HQ (High Quality Mode). At this mode, the quality is not noticeable from the recorder's speaker; however, when you play it on a computer using quality headphones, earplugs, or hi-def speakers, you can actually hear the sound to be a lot more crisp than SP Mode. Finally, I used SHQ (Super High Quality Mode) and just like HQ Mode, it requires good speakers to listen to specific pitches and notes. What I also noticed when comparing SHQ to SP mode is that I can hear my classmates' mumbling and can make out a few words on SHQ Mode whereas in SP Mode all I can hear is the professor. Take into consideration the size of your classrooms. I tried all these modes in classes that fit about 35 people and in class/auditoriums that fit over 200 people (auditoriums are a bit harder to record; however, sitting in front will make a big difference; also helps if your professor speaks loudly).
So you can definitely use this digital recorder for multiple purposes, but I highly suggest this recorder to be used for note taking. While you can use this recorder for recording your own musical mixtapes, I still recommend you to-be-artists, singers, and musicians to use a more professional grade digital recorder.
With that, here are my pros and cons:
Pro(s):
- Relatively inexpensive when comparing to professional grade digital recorders
- Digital! Forget those old tapes!
- Recording content uploadable
- Nice, easy to see and feel buttons (Easy to tell what button is what instead of guessing)
- Fairly simple to use (glance at the manual just once and you should understand it 99%)
- Has 5 folders to separate your recordings (Gives you A to E folders; also holds 99 files per folder)
- Easy to use menu with a lot of features (Voice Operated Recording, Noise Cut, Recording Mode, etc.)
- Comes with USB cable
- Has a lock ability
- Playback volume can be turned up quite loud
- Comes with 2 AAA batteries
- Not bulky nor heavy (should weigh less than your average smart phone)
Con(s):
- The quality of construction feels cheap (however, I had no defects of any sort appear)
- When it said LED, it was easy to misunderstand that the device had a LED backlight screen (it does not, instead the LED refers to a small LED at the top right that will flash/or stay on when in use)
- Sony only posts the LP Mode recording time (they should have posted all the recording times for each mode, since I'm not going to use the terrible LP Mode, those 535 hours and 55 minutes of recording won't do me any good)
- Has a lanyard hole but DOES NOT come with a lanyard (What's up with that?)
- Memory not expandable
- Hard to use in the dark since nothing is lit up
Other Note(s):
- According to the manual it comes with, here are the recording times for each mode:
SHQ: 22hr 15min
HQ: 33hr 25min
SP: 89hr 15min
LP: 535hr 55min
- Comes with 2 AAA Sony batteries
Recommendation(s)/Suggestion(s):
- BE SURE TO KEEP THIS RECORDER AWAY FROM CELL/MOBILE PHONES WHEN RECORDING (or just turn off or change your phone into airplane mode), the cell/mobile phone's signals will create those fast tiny beeps in your recordings like your hear when you put your cell/mobile phone really close to a speaker and then you will ruin your recording (by the way, the beeps have nothing to do with having the recorder in LP mode)
- Also be sure to point the microphone towards what you are trying to record (for lectures, you want to sit in front of the class for a more direct path to the lecturer)
- Try using the LP mode first and see if you hear the same problems I hear (if not, continue using LP because you can record way more at this mode)
- Get a lanyard and attach it to this if you can because it's quite slim so having a lanyard might reduce loosing this recorder
- Buy a screen protector for this recorder
- Most importantly, upload your recordings frequently not just because for backup but also to hear the recordings more clearly and so you can organize the recording according to your notes or whatever it is you use it for
Ultimately, I gave this a (4/5) stars mainly because this recorder does not perform well at LP recording mode and the fact that I felt that this recorder is lacking a bit in features for it's price (even though it is cheaper than the more professional recorders).
Thanks for reading this review, cheers!
Description of Sony ICD-PX820 Digital Voice Recorder (Black)
Sony's ICD-PX820 Digital Voice Recorder is a budget friendly way to immortalize your thoughts, meetings, and other voice quality audio. The PX820 has a 2GB builtin flash memory which can hold up to 535 hours (in LP mode) of data. Features like voice activated recording, dictation correction and an add function are all practical conveniences that help aid in the recording process. The ICD-PX820's recording is both PC and Mac compatible (Mac files must be edited on a Mac compatible software). The popular Dragon NaturallySpeaking software and the included Digital Voice Editor software are both compatible with your compatible Windows PC.Digital Cameras & Photo Categories
Similar Digital Cameras & Photo Products
Sony ICD-BX800 2 GB Flash Memory Digital Voice Recorder (Silver)Sony; CE
Best price: $46.99
Dragon NaturallySpeaking Premium 11 Student EditionNuance Communications, Inc.; Nuance Communications, Inc.; Release date: 2010-07-28; Windows 7; Software
Best price: $79.99
Price in other shops:
Telephone Phone Line Recorder Adapter RJ11>3.5mm AudioOEM Manufacturer; CE
Best price: $2.98
Dragon Naturally Speaking: Voice to Text for Digital Voice RecordersNuance Communications, Inc.; Nuance Communications, Inc.; Release date: 2010-03-05; Windows Vista; Software
Best price: $94.71
Price in other shops:
Olympus ME-52W Noise Canceling MicrophoneOlympus; Olympus; Olympus; Electronics; Office Product
Best price: $11.99
Price in other shops:
Dragon NaturallySpeaking Premium 11 BluetoothNuance Communications, Inc.; Nuance Communications, Inc.; Release date: 2010-08-23; Windows 7; Software
Best price: $204.99
Price in other shops:
Dragon NaturallySpeaking Premium, Version 11Nuance Communications, Inc.; Nuance Communications, Inc.; Release date: 2010-08-23; Windows 7; Software
Best price: $91.00
Price in other shops:
Sony FS85USB Digital Recorder Transcription KitSony; Windows 98; CE
Price in other shops:
Olympus TP-7 Telephone pick upOlympus; CE
Price in other shops:
Olympus ME-15 MicrophoneOlympus; Olympus; Olympus; Personal Computers; PC Accessory
Best price: $18.49
Price in other shops: