Sony ICDCX50 Digital Voice Recorder

by Sony

Product Details

• Item Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• 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: B0007Y6AEY
• Item model number: ICDCX50
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #72,879 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 11, 2006

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Capture sound and images together. Sony's ICD-CX50 visual voice recorder is an ingenious little device that combines a 256MB flash memory digital voice recorder with a 1.2 megapixel camera. You can record audio and capture images simultaneously, and the information will be saved into a synchronized file. Document an auto claim. Record meetings and lectures. Complete a home inspection. There are more real life applications than you can dream up. A great work tool for claims adjusters, realtors and building inspectors, but also incredibly useful for students, homeowners and travelers. Features a 1.2 inch color LCD, rechargeable battery and 4X digital zoom.

Features

• 1.2 Megapixel Effective Camera --- provides a way to "see" what is being spoken about. Take digital pictures as audio is being recorded to capture the whole story.
• 256MB Flash Memory2 --- allows for up to 4000 Pictures (640 x 480 JPG) or Up to 93 Hours of Recording Time (LP Mode) to be recorded onto the embedded memory.
• USB 2.01 Compatible --- High speed transfer of audio and images to PC from device.
• 4X Digital Zoom --- can be used to get up to 4x closer to the object getting photographed.
• 1.2-Inch Color LCD --- displays a wealth of information from image thumbnails to file names making it fast and easy to navigate to the desired screen.
• Rechargeable Battery --- can be recharged using AC adaptor or supplied USB cable and a PC.
• New STLP Recording Mode --- Offers a longer recording time while maintaining 2-channel recording.
• Digital Voice-Up Function --- increases the volume of the person speaking when recorded at a distance from the unit while maintaining overall quality.
• Built-In Playback Speaker --- for monitoring playback of recordings.
• Built in Stereo Mic --- records separate left and right channels in stereo, and provides convenient recording versatility in a variety of situations.
• External Microphone Jack --- allows connection of an external microphone for special recording applications.

Product Description

Digital Voice Recorder w/ Camera - Sony digital voice recorder and camera- Stores maximum 11 hours of audio and 2,000 pictures (size available varies with recording mode used)- Perfect for recording meetings, memos, conferences- Simultaneously records audio and pictures- Search, locate and play with the LCD screen- 256MB flash memory for sufficient data capacity- Maximum 99 pictures can be assigned to one message- 5 folders (default)- Picture bookmark- Integrated management of audio and pictures on PC: stores all data by simple drag and drop operation, links audio and pictures with index, slideshow playback of audio and pictures- JPEG picture format - SilverPackage Contents:- Digital recorder/camera- PC link application software visual and voice editor CD-ROM- USB cable- AC power adapter- Stereo headphones- Carrying pouch- ManualSYICDCX50

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent quality product, February 12, 2006

By 

Nicholas Alexander Dragon "Lone Wolf" (St. Petersburg, Florida USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sony ICDCX50 Digital Voice Recorder (Office Product)

Sony's Visual Recorder sits in a class by itself. After purchasing and using it, I am surprised someone else hasn't thought of this idea and marketed it. The recorder is small enough to fit in your pocket, can be operated with one hand, and it well crafted.

I purchased it for two reasons. One, the rechargable battery, either by a USB port or the included AC charger. Total charge time from a dead state is 2.5 hours. (Battery life is rated at 10.5 hours to 14.5 hours, depending on recording settings. Not shabby at all.) What was nice is the shutdown feature once the battery is fully charged, protecting the unit from becoming hot. My other reason of purchase is the 256 MB of built in flash memory. (If you can talk and create the 1000 total messages this unit can store within its 256 MB of memory, you have way too much to say.) The quality and features Sony has placed within the unit is a nice plus, and is something a concerned consumer should come to expect. (Unfortunately, no, Sony isn't paying me to patronize them.)

Once charged, I was ready to put the unit thru its paces. The internal clock and date can be set manually, or automatically when the unit is connected to a PC or laptop. The unit looks like an electric razor, due to the hood which extends and reveals the 1.2 inch LCD screen. It didn't take long to become comfortable with the controls. The recorder has a HOLD feature, that prevents the user from accidently pressing a button and destroying information.

Pressing REC, I made a test recording and played it back. The sound reproduction was good, and enhanced with the Digital Voice Up switch, that amplifies the low level and inaudible sounds to an optimal level. The rocker switch on the side that controls volume provides a very decent sound when increased. Playback can be heard from the built in speakers. Attaching a set of headphones and listening to the recording - WOW! My simple voice recording was meaty and full and rich. The internal software can hold as many as 10 folders, each folder containing up to 99 messages each. Recording time is anywhere from 11.5 hours to 95.5 hours, depending on recording setting (stereo or mono, standard play or long extended play)

The unit includes a 1.3 MP camera lens, with a fixed f4 stop. The pictures turned out clear and crisp. Nice if you have a cell phone company that nickel and dimes their customers every chance they get. Like mine. (Can you hear me now??) The camera will capture regular photos as well as close upshots. Pictures have the option of 1280 x 960 per picture image, (recording a total of 1340 images) or 640 x 480 per pixel image (recording a total of 4090 images.)

What sets this recorder apart from the rest is the ability to take a picture and add recorded commentary to it, either simultaneously, or post recording and playback.
The user of a unit such as this is hampered only by your imagination. House hunting? Meetings? Shopping for a new car? Take pictures and add comments for later study. Car accident because some nozzle hit your car? Snap pictures of the scene and add your opinions. (I could have used this years ago when a moron backed up through a toll booth and hit my 10 day old brand spanking new car. I hadn't even received the payment book yet.)

Sony includes a CD with Voice and Visual software, which enables the user to download the sound files and pictures to a PC for further editing and processing. Which brings up my only gripe, and the reason I hesitate to give Sony 5 stars.

The recorder software can only be used on Windows 98 SE and above, not Apple/Mac. They missed a whole market share on this one. Owning an Apple Powerbook, I was able to attach the unit to my laptop and drill down to the folder and view and copy the JPEG's. But the recordings are in a proprietary format, so I can't download them or listen to them without the unit itself. Second gripe: Sony only created five folders on the unit, which has a capability of 10 folders total. Why only five? Pay the overtime and create the other five. Creating the extra folders on an Apple unit will not create them visibly on the recorder, even though you can see them on the laptop.

In order to create the other five folders, I had to visit a retail store, armed with a story about researching a Windows laptop for a friend, making sure he could use his recorder for medical transcription before making a purchase. All I needed was Jean Reno suspending me a foot off the floor, lest I touch the pressure sensitive pads or reaise the temperature of the room a single degree, setting off the store's alarms and alerting the NSA of my subterfuge.

I was able to install the software, attach the recorder with the USB cable, and create the other five folders, while fending off salespersons, repeating I was only browsing. One salesman actually looked over my shoulder at the install screen while I was waiting for a lengthy .DLL to load, and walked away. When finished, I had to endure a sales pitch about one of the laptops I pretended to be interested in. Ever have to listen to a salesperson blather on about computers, imparting various flapdoodle while you nod your head and try not to blurt out the 15 years of experience you have developing software for these things? Just shove the bamboo shoots under my fingernails and get it over with!

By all means, if you want a quality unit, this is a great purchase. This was the only unit I could find that has a rechargable battery and a good sized internal flash memory. And the built in camera/voice record function. Be reminded it can be used without ever touching the software, but requires a Windows 98SE system or above to install and use the included applications. One day, Sony will get the message and get off their proprietary ivory tower.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Recorder for Slide Presentations and Dictations, February 17, 2008

By 

Michael Magee (Brooklyn, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sony ICDCX50 Digital Voice Recorder (Office Product)

I have owned two of these units for over two years. The second one was purchased (quickly) when I thought that I had lost the first. Interestingly, the newer one holds its charge. Whereas, the older one does not; when not used the battery life will trickle away---and you won't be able to use it until you recharge it. That is my only criticism.

For what I have used this recorder for it is fantastic. I am a research psychologist and I go to a few conferences over the course of the year in which I attend many presentations that use slides. I sit in the front and snap a picture of every slide while I record the talks. Then when I get home from the conference, I can actually see the talks again!

(I must admit that I use Camtasia Studio Version 5 to capture the entire recording so that I can play it on, well, anything else that's not the supplied interface. Which is good, but...only on the system on which you have it installed.)

Also, this unit works with Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 Preferred (I do not work for these people---their software rocks) speech recognition software. Wow! Very cool, indeed. I can talk into the unit all day and then when I get home, I can plug in the recorder to my computer and everything get converted into type on the screen. This is a very Buck Rogers experience, IMO.

Ultimately, this little baby is a high priced item. But, if you are really into recording slide presentations or if you really want to get the most out of software like Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 Preferred then I highly recommend this unit.

Finally, I have never had any problems (other that the charge issue mentioned above)with this unit. The SONY ICD-CX50 is a great device. The entire interface in intuitive and well thought out. I can only assume that the reviewer who did not enjoy his/hers

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Dissapointed, June 1, 2008

By 

Captain Mike (Worth,Ill) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony ICDCX50 Digital Voice Recorder (Office Product)

Get some reading glasses prior to purchase. you will need them to see the poor quality photos generated by this device.Should have been an electric razor that takes notes.Very bulky. Sony makes some great IC recorders bot this is not one of them. I put it back in the box. Get the Sony ICD-sx46 with the Naturally Speaking software instead.I have had two so far and they work well.As an alternative,Cannon allows you to attach voice notes to photos on some cameras.Someone at Sony should revisit this design especially at the cost of this device.
M