Customer Reviews

Sony ICD-ST25VTP Digital Voice Recorder with Voice-to-Print Software

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I purchased 2 Sony ICD-ST25VTP packages, which includes Scansoft NaturallySpeaking version 7.
The first 4 computers I tried to install the software on crashed at the same point during the install process. Scansoft was completely unwilling to help without a prepaid fee. Sony told me this was Scansoft's problem.
Scansoft sales told me version 7 is no good and to buy version 8, for $150/copy to upgrade.

I'm very disappointed that Sony would partner with a business that provides NO technical support without additional cost.

The 4 computers were running XP Pro on 2 and Windows 2000 pro on the other 2. I found a Windows 98SE machine, and the software crashed that too, but was present after reboot (condition unknown). No matter what I tried, I could not get any reasonable voice to text translation - was returning jibberish.

This past weekend I purchased this same device from a local store (Staples) and had exact same result. When I returned it, the sales person showed me a box full of returned devices and told me that other customers had some complaint I did - could not install the software. They gave me full refund.

In the past I have always had very good luck with Sony products, but strongly recommend that you avoid this package.
By the way - Scansoft has a service pack for version 7 at their web site, but the OEM version that is included with the Sony ICD-ST25VTP does not qualify for the upgrade, and the service pack install fails.

The Sony device works very well, but the voice to text software is completely useless (at least as far as OEM version 7 is concerned).

In less than a year, the speaker for my ICD-ST25VTP recorder no longer works. The only way I can get audio is through headphones or by downloading the files onto my computer.

Other than that, this digital recorder has been quite useful for conducting interviews, etc. It picks up voices fairly well, even in a loud room.

When i bought this off Amazon a year ago there was a higher rating with lots of reviewers. I have no idea what happened to the reviews. I actually wrote one. So again i will state for the record that this is a great purchase to make if you are a student. It records well enough to use from the back of a normal sized class room in all recording modes. Though i prefer to use the mid-range SP mode. The editing software works great. As for the Voice to Print software, it is not able to transcibe what other people say. You must train it to learn your voice. It works best as far as i can tell with a mic and not the recorder. It has proven invaluable to me in that it has allowed me to write 20 pages in a day for term papers. However, it does take quite a bit of practice and adjusting, but once you get it down it is fantastic. Came in really handy when i had an injured arm and couldn't type. Altogether this is a great buy and was one of the best purchases i ever made. It was directly related to me getting A's in several classes where the material was covered faster than i could write.

Too bad this model was discontinued. I spent months looking for a new replacement for this recorder when mine was stolen. I finally had to buy a used one from Ebay to replace it. What is so good about it?
It has a selectable directional microphone that almost eliminates background noise caused while you travel on the highway. It has weeks of battery life. It has a high speed play back feature that allows normal tone listening. It has a voice amplifier that increases the volume of distant recordings. It has PC software that allows you to download recordings to the PC and control the playback while you type. And it has a built-in speaker. Many new recorders only have jacks for headphones.
Thanks