Sony ICD-P320 user reviews (voice recorder)

Pros Convenient, worked fine

Cons Nothing really, the hw interface is a bit opaque, but the sw via USB rocks!

Summary I loved this thing for over year. I used it all the time and carried it with me everywhere. After turning one of the recording features I'd never used before (the 'add a recording' option, or something like that) and using it a few times, its memory apparently got discombobulated. Now all it does is say beep and say ERR. I've taken the AAA batteries out and let it sit for a while to see if it might discharge and reset, but no. Totally useless. Totally disappointing. I NEED one of these things! Not sure whether to buy another one, not use that feature, and cross my fingers; or try another brand. If not for this sudden and unexpected problem, I'd recommend this without hesitation. In fact, I actually bought one as a gift for a girlfriend a while back. I'd have rated it an 8, but now it's getting a 3.

Pros Compact, Easy to Use (with a little common sense)

Cons The software that links the recorder to the PC is a little tempermental.

Summary I bought this to record me lectures at school too. I've read the reviews that say this thing is a piece of junk and that you can barely hear anyone on it but if you use it right, you can manage. I had it set on HQ mode with High sensitivity. If you actually point it towards the subject, it picks up the sound quite well. While the quality of the playback on the device itself may seem pretty horrible, once it is loaded on the computer, it works quite well! I have even managed to convert the files to mp3's for my iPod.

However, the software seems to have difficulties communicating with the device every other time that I use it. I don't know if it's me messing up or Sony...

All in all, the device works and you get what you pay for. It was one of the cheapest ones I could find and it was on sale when I bought it.

Pros Small, Light, incredible memory

Cons You cannot trust Sony to provide reasonable support

Summary The cost to replace the CD-ROM, that interfaces with the voice recorder, is equal to the cost it takes to buy the voice recorder. I had a defective CD-ROM, they will not ship me a new CD-ROM for free, nor is the software available for download. The Sony reps comment, "that's how much it is, too bad..." YES, THAT IS A QUOTE.

This is not unusual for Sony. I have a beautiful "looking" Sony computer monitor I received for Christmas. It never worked. The person who gave me the gift, did not keep the receipt. Sony would not accept the giftors credit card receipt, and wanted to charge a minimum $200 to even look at the monitor.

This is my fault, I bought the voice recorder from Sony. I should have known.

Pros USB for the PC, not to expensive, small

Cons Horrible sound quality, very cheaply made, no backlight, buttons are very small, the manual doesnt tell you how to turn it off, the software it came with doesn't work on my computer, poor!

Summary After many day's of researching these digital recorders I saw a few people happy with this model. I wanted one that connected to the computer and being that it was $10.00 cheaper then the Olympus 3100-PC I went with this one. Well, guess what? I'm returning it to my Best Buy store after I TRY and get my notes from my class tonight. I bought this for class. I'm a graduate student and want to record my lectures. I'm am VERY disappointed in this product. First of all it feel so cheap, the plastic that it's made out of is so cheap and just not handy. There's no back light either so if your in the dark don't buy this because you will not be able to use it! Also, last night I spent about 3 hours trying to load the software it came with and no luck at all! It just won't load. I contacted the company and they could give me no help on this issue and guess what! I have a SONY VAIO computer! Go figure! I recorded my class tonight and he wasn't far from me at all and you can hardly hear him! It was also on HQ the highest level. I advice anyone to do their homework.