Sony ICD-MS515 Memory Stick Digital Voice Recorder with Voice-to-Print Compatibility Great for school lectures – G. Chris – NY United States
I had to have a recorder since I could never seem to stay awake in class (for some strange reason) so I got this device. Works great even in the back of the classroom. I would go over the lecture at nights at home. Software is pretty good…Could record over 20 Hours with only a 128mb Memory stick. Battery life was amazing. It helped me out alot.
April 2004
I’ve owned the MS515-VTP for over a year now. I tape a high volume of conference calls and the device has performed consistently well, and I hope to get many more years of use from it.
I use it with two 128MB cards, on the highest quality recording settings and have been very satisfied with the results. I also like the fact that I can monitor the recording real-time through earphones though feedback can be an issue, such as my laptop being in close proximity.
The real advantage of the MS515 is being able to use it in conjunction with my computer so I can upload, mail, and manage recordings, both on the PC and the MS515. The included Memory Stick Voice editor is a great software application for reviewing and mainpulating recordings since you can speed up, slow down, cut, merge, and e-mail recordings with a Window Media Player plugin. You can also use the editor to manage the files on the MS515 itself, much easier than doing it via the clumsy setup buttons on the recorder. My only complaints about the software are not being able to use the bookmark function on WAV recordings, and while you can move recordings between folders on the MS515, it won’t move them between folders in the PC pane. A strange oversight.
The MS-515 does have a few issues. As previously noted selecting folders for recordings and menu settings can be difficult and require several attempts to get the button to actually set/select correctly. There is no jack for a power adapter. I guess the designers never realized someone might use it consistently where plugging it in would be preferred to batteries. I use NiMH rechargable batteries and while they don’t last as long as alkaline batteries, I just swap between recharged pairs.
The mic jack has become somewhat loose after a year and the flat rate charge for repair is , pretty high.
Features missing – aside from a power input, my wish list would be the ability to record through the MS515 directly to the PC when it’s plugged in via the USB (some Olympus recorders offer this option), the ability to power the MS515 via the USB, or recharge the batteries that way.
For the Memory Stick Voice Editor software, why not offer access to downloading the latest version, or free downloads of it to people I’ve mailed recordings to, not just the MSV plug-in for Windows Media Player? Bookmark functionality for WAV files, moving files between folders on the PC side, and more control over information displayed about recordings, and how recordings are named when transferred would all enhance the functionality and save me time.
A complaint about the Sony web site in general- there’s no easy way to provide them feature suggestions or product specific ergonomics feedback.
I give the MS-515 a B+
A followup and caution since my April 2004 review. Sony was unable to repair the previously mentioned loose mic jack and shipped me a replacement unit. After receiving two reconditioned recorders that both had problems, Sony finally shipped me a brand new unit. They get an A+ for customer service, but it took two swaps and several weeks. The new unit has worked perfectly for several months. Avoid the reconditioned units like the plague.
April 2007 update
Still using the recorder, no problems still works great. I have upgraded the digital voice editor software. It’s improved but still doesn’t have the features I noted previously as of the 2.3b version. Don’t know if this recorder is still made but it’s been a great investment for me. Sony: ICDMS515 Don’t miss a minute of your next meeting – get Sony’s slim ICD-MS515 Memory Stick Portable Digital Dictating Machine. Removable Memory Stick Media records all dictation on small, compact, high capacity Memory Stick media cards, and enables up to 171 minutes of recording time with the 8MB Memory Stick supplied. Additional features include Compatibility with USB Connectivity for Easy PC Connection, Compatibility with Dragon Naturally Speaking Preferred Voice to Print Software Ver. 6.0 (Sold Separately), Digital Pitch Playback Speed Control, a Voice E-mail Function, and much more. Put the pen away – start recording today with the ICD-MS515. Sony’s slim ICD-MS515 Memory Stick portable digital voice recorder uses removable Memory Stick media cards to store all dictation on small, compact, high-capacity media. The unit gives you up to 171 minutes of recording time on the supplied 8 MB Memory Stick. Other key features include USB connectivity for easy hookup with your PC, compatibility with Dragon Naturally Speaking Preferred Voice-to-Print Software to convert your voice files into text (version 6.0, sold separately), digital pitch/playback speed control (which lets you play recordings at slower or faster than normal speeds to facilitate transcribing or editing), and a voice e-mail function to share your thoughts audibly.
The recorder’s LPEC Codec uses a 16 kHz sampling rate for extended frequency response (with audio up to 8 kHz) to deliver excellent recorded sound. For storage, the ICD-MS515 offers up to 340 personally named message files and 965 messages on each Memory Stick media card so you can organize folders by type, such as sales letters, customer service replies, memos, action items, personal, etc.
Incremental rewind (easy search) is the equivalent of tape fast rewind but without returning all the way to the beginning of each recording, to help you locate specific passages within files. Advanced digital VOR (voice-operated recording) stops the recording during silent pauses–saving recording time–then begins recording again without missing a single syllable.
Other features include a full-function LCD, one-button play from record, a built-in microphone (with high/low mic sensitivity), a built-in playback speaker, an add-recording function (resumes recording from the end of a given message), a battery-strength LED, a battery-saving hold switch, and jacks for an external earphone and an external microphone.
What’s in the Box
Voice recorder, 8 MB Memory Stick media card, PC Download software, two AAA batteries, a carrying case, an earphone, a USB cable, and a user’s manual.
Sony ICD-MS515 Memory Stick Digital Voice Recorder with Voice-to-Print Compatibility
