Customer Reviews

Sony TCM-20DV Pressman Portable Cassette Recorder

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

 

 

I bought this recorder for school and it has been just perfect. It allows you to use a 90 minute tape for 180 minutes due to its double recording time function. It's an excellent buy and highly worth the money. It makes it easy for me to study because I can just play the tapes in my car or while I'm walking around. I highly recommend it!!!

I've used this standard cassette recorder for years; finally gave it away, bought another one used here at Amazon. Too bad it has no counter. Still, it's GREAT for half-speed cassettes (I have 2,000 - 4,000 of them), plays well. Best to use old-fashioned headphones, not those silly earbuds, when listening at 30,000 feet.

Radio Shack Cat. No 273-1680 AC Adapter with the smallest tip (align + sign with 'tip' on the cord) frees you from needing batteries. Use the 3V setting on the Adapter.

Recording? I did many recordings on it over the years, no noticable fuzz or hum; there's a sound of air, as if one is recording in a light breeze. It's not a good size for recording (the device is a tad too wide).

I have five half-speed recorders (this plus two Radio Shack, don't get them, one fabulous Superscope from the 1980's, and a customized Panasonic); I use this one the most, especially when travelling. That's why I gave it away, for the newer versions didn't seem as good (but maybe are), and replaced it with a used one.

Sony sports other models here on Amazon, though, so check them out.

Simple straightforward machine works perfectly well for me. I especially like the speed control knob, this makes it so much easier to transcribe lectures quickly.

I bought this recorder for heavy field use in journalism. My first problem was the voice activated recording. If you turn it off, then the recording is muddy.
Second the motor is not very strong. Almost all the tapes I used - that work correctly in other machines - would lock up the motor.
I was very disappointed in the motor that couldn't pull a rewind on a 90-minute cassette.

Beware of this recorder!!

I've had this recorder since 1994, and I do not have a single complaint about it (other than the fact it eats batteries, but what doesn't?)

I've used all kinds of cassette tapes in this machine, and I started using it back in 1994 and 1995 to tape school lectures, and later to tape business meetings and whatnot for playback. The biggest draw was the tape size-- I didn't want a microcasette player and this one was reasonably priced, takes two AA batteries, and it still works nearly fifteen years later.

As soon as I finish transcribing what I can from the 90% inaudible mumbles I recorded with my Sony TC-M20DV cassette recorder, I am looking forward to smashing this useless piece of junk with a large hammer. I will never buy economy recording equipment again, because you get what you pay for.