- Memory Stick storage
- Voice to print compatible
- USB compatible
- Up to 171 minutes with supplied Memory Stick
- up to 340 named message files; Up to 965 messages
Technical Details
Product Details
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Product Description
Amazon.com Product Description
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.
Product Description
This voice-activated digital voice recorder features a navigation/menu key, PC transcription, memory capacity indicator, microphone sensitivity control, real-time counter, file search (forward and reverse) and clock and calendar functions. Records up to 11 hours/35 min. 32MB base memory. Normal playback speed control, automatic download, e-mail function and auto pitch compensation. Also features telephone recording and file transfer software. Recording Functions: Quick Record; Telephone Record; Activation/Review Functions: Editing Function; Navigation Key; Quick Record; Quick Review; Voice Activation; Foot/Hand Controls: Hand Control; Recording Time: 11.50 h.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
130 of 134 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great device, with some unexpected uses.,
By
This review is from: Sony ICD-MS515 Memory Stick Digital Voice Recorder with Voice-to-Print Compatibility (Office Product)
Remember the days when recording sound required magnetic tapes that you could fast-forward through, rewind, and turn over? I can't say that I do; it's all such a fog now. Maybe it was just a bad dream. Either way, digital recorders are here, so there's no point bemoaning the past. I recently purchased a Sony MS515 digital voice recorder to use as a mini dictation machine on long commutes to work. I shopped around before buying the pricy Sony. Here are my observations several months after my purchase:1) As with every Sony device I've ever owned, the MS515 is well-designed, easy to use, feature rich, and 100% reliable; in other words, it's worth the money. 2) If you carry a tiny voice recorder in your pocket, I guarantee you will find more uses for it than you could ever anticipate. 3) Being able to easily download your recordings to your computer and save them as WAV files (among other formats) will change the way you use such recordings--for the better. 4) I will never touch another cassette recorder so long as I live. With regard to novel applications, consider this: Have you ever gotten lost because you didn't bother to jot down all those seemingly unimportant details in the directions? Do you try to remember phone numbers for want of a pencil? Do you ignore flashes of insight while driving or walking your dog? Have you ever tried to describe the sound your car makes to your mechanic? Do you remember what your kid's first words sounded like? Need I say more? But here is my absolute favorite (and unexpected) application of my digital voice recorder. When I am snapping pictures (with my digital camera, or course) of a sporting event, a ceremony, or even kids at play, I switch on my MS515 and capture all the sounds (and narration) to go along with the photos. It's infinitely richer to have sounds, voices, and narration to accompany the photos. (Don't think of this combination as a cheap form of video, but as a way to augment your still photos.) Try it. You won't believe what a difference it makes. In some ways I actually prefer it to video. Here are a few specific comments about the Sony MS515. It's not much bigger than a cigarette lighter, so it's easy to pop it in your pocket. Its buttons are well placed (at least for righties), so it's easy to turn off and on, append, delete, switch folders, etc. It runs on two AAA batteries, which last for maybe 10 hours. Keep plenty of extra batteries on hand if you plan to use it a lot. As for memory, I use a 32 MB memory stick, which can hold about 4 hours of recording at the highest quality. I find this to be more than adequate for most everything I do. (But 8 MB is not enough.) Finally, the internal mic is very good, so there is no need for an expensive external mic. (I bought an external directional mic and found that the quality was indistinguishable from the built-in mic.) One last piece of advice: Before you decide to save a little money by getting a cheap voice recorder, ask yourself two questions. How many times have you regretted buying the top-of-the-line? How many times have you regretted NOT buying the top-of-the-line? For me, the latter far outnumbers the former. Since we're talkin' voice recorders here, not sports cars, here's your chance to go for the top-of-the-line. The MS515 is a great little device; I don't think you'll be disappointed. With the MS515 in your pocket, you are far more likely to capture the really important stuff, like your kid's first attempt at the word "spaghetti". By the way, it's an outstanding mini dictation device too.
59 of 59 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Consistent performance for over 3 years,
By A Customer
This review is from: Sony ICD-MS515 Memory Stick Digital Voice Recorder with Voice-to-Print Compatibility (Office Product)
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 $73, 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.
39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great for Cops,
By A Customer
This review is from: Sony ICD-MS515 Memory Stick Digital Voice Recorder with Voice-to-Print Compatibility (Office Product)
As the title suggests, I use this in my law enforcement job. The sound quality compared to microcassettes is so much better that I will never go back. I have had this unit now for at least a year and have used it both in patrol work and in investigations. I have the 128 mb card in mine. I can record EVERY citizen contact during a shift and then DL it to my computer. Heck, sometimes I will go three or four days before I DL the files. This little gem can save your bacon in so many ways. NO BUTTONS ON THE FRONT. It doesn't get turned off by accident. Record a three hour interview and not change the tape. Talk to fourteen different people and all you have to do is press record and stop. It does the rest, including putting the date and time on the recording. No more mangled microcassettes. No more pockets full of tapes. No more tapes accidently getting recorded over. The built in microphone picks up conversation really well. I have the version with Dragon Naturally Speaking, which saves a lot of typing on those loooooong case reports.My advice? Go digital, even if your department won't buy it for you.
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