Mr Reorg

I need to get a recorder to tape business meetings for the purpose of writing the minutes. So the recorder must have excellent voice pick up; at least very good pick up from a distance.

The meetings are held in a large conference room with 20 people sitting around a large conference table and sometimes others sitting along the walls. They meetings usually last no more than 2 hours.

What's the best machine to get? Micro cassett? Digital? Something with SM or CF cards? I want it to be able to record the full 2 hours at standard play. It would be great if there was software available so that I could hook it up to my PC and let it transcribe itself.

The last person to do this job used a micro cassett recorder and had to turn over/change the tape in the middle of the meeting. Tha's a hasle I'd like to avoid if possible. I was told to expect to spend up to 3 hours writting the minutes off the tape. (Software, as mentioned above, would sure come in handy.)

They warned me not to get a 'cheap' one as they did. Since I will be reimbursed for the expense, cost is not really a concern. (I'm assuming it wont cost more than $300; I didn't think they go for more than that.)

I need to buy this (from a B&M) within the next few days, as I must have it ready to use this Thurday 8/20.

The Biffer

From what I understand the iRiver IHP120 would be excellent for this. It has both an internal and external mic.

The thing stores 20GB, so you could use it to back up data, and obviously as an MP3 player as well.

(I'm working off advice given to me by others, I have not yet purchased my own)

Mr Reorg

I was thinking more along the lines of one of the voice recorders from either Sony, Panny or Olympus. The expense will be questioned if I hand in a receipt for an MP3 player that happens to have voce recording functionality. I don't get to keep the device. Next year I pass it along to whoever is assigned to take the minutes at the meetings.

Thanks for your thoughts, though.

Jeffbx

Look at the Olympus ones. I don't have personal experience, but a buddy once had one & had good luck with it. They're actually marketed as business tools, so you don't look funny submitting the expense, and they sell about a dozen different ones, so you should be able to find something suitable.

kimchicowboy

i've never used an olympus one, but i was interviewed with one and it sure was one nifty little gadget. never any experience with other brands.

and there's actually software that will transcribe voice recordings?! whoa. that's neat. my research institute could use one: it interviews people at least once a week for 6 hour lengths. imagine having to transcribe that. but the software would have to support korean language.

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Devhux

Most speech-recognition products (Such as Dragon NaturallySpeaking) can transcribe audio from a .wav (or similar) file.... and some of the higher-end Olympus units actually bundle a copy just for this purpose.

Mr Reorg

Thanks for the input everyone. I went over to Staples to see what they had. They had some Sony and Panasonic models. One of the Sony's worked with Dragon NaturallySpeaking Premium and I thought that would be great. But he told me I had to train the Dragon software to recognize my voice so it would accurately transcribe the recording..so it really works for when the speaker is yourself, like you're dicating letters or something, or preparing your own speech. So I guess that probably won't help me. Too bad.

Well, I'll have to make up my mind and buy it tomorrow after work so I have it ready to use the following day.

I'll check back tomorrow AM before I leave for work to see if there's been any other thoughts. Thanks again.