Sony ICD-P520 Digital Voice Recorder with 256 MB Built-in Flash Memory and USB

by Sony

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B000N288Z4
• Item model number: ICDP520
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,896 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 9, 2006

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Sony ICD-P520 digital voice recorder is compact and easily connects to a PC. Featuring up to 256 MB of flash memory, it offers up to 130 hours of recording time in the LP mode. For easy file transfer to a PC, this model includes Sony's Digital Voice Editor version 3.0 software, which adds pod cast-creation capability. Features include:

• PC Compatible via USB: Quickly and easily transfer your audio files to a computer for further processing or archiving.
• 256MB³ Built-in Flash Memory : Available on the integrated circuit chip, which may be recorded over and used again with distortion-free clarity.
• Over 130 Hours² of Recording Time in LP Mode: LP Mode gives you plenty of time to record everything you need.
• 3 Recording Modes²: Choose the quality of recording depending on how much time you need. Long Play(LP) 150h 15m, Standard Play(SP) 81h 15m and High Quality(HQ) 30h 25m.
• 4 Message Folders: Keep your voice files organized. The 4 message folders can be used for different applications, such as business memos, correspondence, personal reminders, and more.
• Large LCD Display: Easily shows the number of messages recorded, recording length, date, time, and battery power remaining.
• Single Function Buttons on the Front Make the Unit Easier to Use: Easily access any of the functions on the Digital voice recorder using the ergonomic buttons that make controlling the unit easier.
• Digital VOR (Voice Operated Recording): Save valuable recording time. VOR stops the recording during silent pauses then begins recording again without missing a single syllable thanks to the Digital Buffer.
• Add Recording: Insert and add additional information to any message without affecting the original.
• Selectable Microphone Sensitivity (Hi/Lo): Record different situations, from group meetings to individuals, more effectively.
• Date and Time Stamp: let's you see the day and time you recorded your message on.

<sup>1. Not all products with USB 2.0 connectors may communicate with each other due to chipset variations.
2. Approximate recording times. Battery life will vary based on product settings, usage patterns, environment and battery conditions.
3. User available memory=250,904,576 bytes, a portion of which is used for data management functions, with default 4 folders setting. Total available space will be reduced as the number of folders increases.</sup>

Product Description

Compact Slim Design --- Makes it is easier then ever to have a recorder on hand to capture the next great idea. 128MB Flash Based DVR PC compatible

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sony Digital Recorder, August 23, 2007

By 

Fred Mealio (Perrin, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sony ICD-P520 Digital Voice Recorder with 256 MB Built-in Flash Memory and USB (Office Product)

For a small recorder, this does a good job, I think that this is a good deal. The price was good and the quality of the unit is better than I was expecting.
I use the recorder to record an open meeting and the pickup is great, I can record someone from across the room as well as someone close by. The software is easy to use and this permits burning to a CD a snap

132 of 143 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars this one, not so much, October 28, 2007

By 

James B. Planey (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony ICD-P520 Digital Voice Recorder with 256 MB Built-in Flash Memory and USB (Office Product)

I bought this recorder as a quick replacement after I lost my Olympus on a trip. The Olympus was so much better for my use. As a student, I like to record lectures and notes and burn CD's to review as I drive. The trouble with the Sony is the complicated software that comes with it. Sony corp is so concerned about music rights that they have made it a nightmare for the user to burn CDs from recordings that they have made themselves. Forget drag and drop into your your preferred software(like the Olympus.)With the Sony you must bow three times, kiss the ground and use their proprietary burn program and format--with no guarantees that the CD will play back on you chosen CD player. On the up side, the sound quality is very good for such a small recorder. Its just a real clunker once you try to do anything more than record. I just ordered another Olympus.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A College Student's Review..., November 21, 2007

By 

Raven - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sony ICD-P520 Digital Voice Recorder with 256 MB Built-in Flash Memory and USB (Office Product)

I bought this to record my lectures and I was pleasantly surprised! It can hold up to 130 hours on the LP setting and 24 hours on HQ setting, which is nice if you go to lecture a few times a week.

I find that the recorder is very sensitive, so you might want to put a notebook or jacket underneath it - otherwise it'll pick up noises from you moving or someone walking by.


The recorder has 4 folders, which I use for separating my classes (that way you know which lecture is in which folder). The menu gives an option to display the time, date, how much recording time is left, or how many minutes you've recorded.


Also, the recorder comes with software and USB cable that's very easy to install and use. All you do is install the program, hook up the recorder to the PC and it'll download all your files! You even have an option of converting the files to mp3 wav. files.

One thing about the software, though: it doesn't run on Macs.

The battery that comes with the recorder will last for a while but if you use it a lot, I'd recommend rechargable batteries.

Overall, it's a very sturdy, neat recorder and it's very easy to use!