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Sony ICD-MS515 Memory Stick Digital Voice Recorder with Voice-to-Print Compatibility | 
 enlarge | Brand: Sony
Category: CE
List Price: $299.99
Buy New: $250.47
You Save: $49.52 (17%)
New (3) Used (2) from $138.95
Rating:  12 reviews
Color: Silver
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries: 2
Batteries Included: Yes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.7 x 2.2
MPN: ICDMS515
Model: ICDMS515
UPC: 027242596269
EAN: 0027242596269
ASIN: B00006HVZ7
Release Date: May 1, 2002
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Memory Stick storage | | • | Voice to print compatible | | • | USB compatible | | • | Up to 171 minutes with supplied Memory Stick | | • | up to 340 named message files; Up to 965 messages |
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| Accessories:
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com Product Description
Sony's slim ICD-MS515 Memory Stick portable digital voice recorder uses removable Memory Stick media cards to store all dictation on small, compact, high-capacity media. The unit gives you up to 171 minutes of recording time on the supplied 8 MB Memory Stick. Other key features include USB connectivity for easy hookup with your PC, compatibility with Dragon Naturally Speaking Preferred Voice-to-Print Software to convert your voice files into text (version 6.0, sold separately), digital pitch/playback speed control (which lets you play recordings at slower or faster than normal speeds to facilitate transcribing or editing), and a voice e-mail function to share your thoughts audibly. The recorder's LPEC Codec uses a 16 kHz sampling rate for extended frequency response (with audio up to 8 kHz) to deliver excellent recorded sound. For storage, the ICD-MS515 offers up to 340 personally named message files and 965 messages on each Memory Stick media card so you can organize folders by type, such as sales letters, customer service replies, memos, action items, personal, etc. Incremental rewind (easy search) is the equivalent of tape fast rewind but without returning all the way to the beginning of each recording, to help you locate specific passages within files. Advanced digital VOR (voice-operated recording) stops the recording during silent pauses--saving recording time--then begins recording again without missing a single syllable. Other features include a full-function LCD, one-button play from record, a built-in microphone (with high/low mic sensitivity), a built-in playback speaker, an add-recording function (resumes recording from the end of a given message), a battery-strength LED, a battery-saving hold switch, and jacks for an external earphone and an external microphone. What's in the Box
Voice recorder, 8 MB Memory Stick media card, PC Download software, two AAA batteries, a carrying case, an earphone, a USB cable, and a user's manual.
Product Description
Don't miss a minute of your next meeting - get Sony's slim ICD-MS515 Memory Stick Portable Digital Dictating Machine. Removable Memory Stick Media records all dictation on small, compact, high capacity Memory Stick media cards, and enables up to 171 minutes of recording time with the 8MB Memory Stick supplied. Additional features include Compatibility with USB Connectivity for Easy PC Connection, Compatibility with Dragon Naturally Speaking Preferred Voice to Print Software Ver. 6.0 (Sold Separately), Digital Pitch Playback Speed Control, a Voice E-mail Function, and much more. Put the pen away - start recording today with the ICD-MS515.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 7 more reviews...
 Superb even after 1 1/2 years of constant use August 28, 2005
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
I use this little gem for recording lectures. This babe will pick up the sound of a dropped dry-erase erase marker all the way from the back of a crowded lecture hall (where I usually hang out...where else can you nab a quck snack, zzzs, etc?;)). Voice clarity is crystal clear.
I burn a switched 256 MB (Mega Byte) memory stick in mine (128MB X 2), for a total of 256 MB. A co-located pause/record button logically placed on the side allows me to avoid recording irrelevant audio.
With 256mb to play with I collect awesome notes that I then convert to MP3 format & store in my database for later picking, choosing, & playing on my portable (usually while at the beach). Conversion & database software are not included, btw.
The IC Recorder, unlike cheap digital recorders, has removable media. Not only does this allow for swapping in a new stick at an instant it also allows for fast uploading of audio data to your computer. A USB cable is included, but I have never bothered to use it. Instead, I use either the built-in memory stick reader of my Vaio laptop or a card reader from a desktop.
The recorder comes with a nice dark leather case for excellent protection while still affording easy access to essential controls.
5 stars, hands down.
Really awesome Recorder!!! November 24, 2004
20 out of 21 found this review helpful
This recorder is the perfect ideal for students. It goes without saying that the sound quality of this product is fantastic. Even if I sit at the far back side of the large classroom, I hear clear sounds of the professor.
There lots of options who can select within the recorder as well. This recorder is also superlight and the case is perfect to camouflage that you are recording. Some of my friends thought the recorder with the leather cover was a cellphone until I told them that it was a recorder. If you use the leather case and stick it on your belt or the top of the trouser, most people will think it is a cellphone and you can avoid some conflict with people who hate being recorded. (yeah, unless they have this too. :P
Additionally, The extra memory stick (128MB) has capacity of 17 hours of recording in SP mode. Yes, again SP mode not LP mode!!! With LP it lasts over 50 hours. I don't recommend LP because it does not produce as sharp recording as SP. Anyway. It only costs 37 dollars in amazon.com and I like its big capacity.
The only drawback I find is that it is a little bit pricey. If this recorder costs between $120~160, it would have won my 5 stars.
Consistent performance for over 3 years April 29, 2004
58 out of 59 found this review helpful
April 2004
I've owned the MS515-VTP for over a year now. I tape a high volume of conference calls and the device has performed consistently well, and I hope to get many more years of use from it.
I use it with two 128MB cards, on the highest quality recording settings and have been very satisfied with the results. I also like the fact that I can monitor the recording real-time through earphones though feedback can be an issue, such as my laptop being in close proximity.
The real advantage of the MS515 is being able to use it in conjunction with my computer so I can upload, mail, and manage recordings, both on the PC and the MS515. The included Memory Stick Voice editor is a great software application for reviewing and mainpulating recordings since you can speed up, slow down, cut, merge, and e-mail recordings with a Window Media Player plugin. You can also use the editor to manage the files on the MS515 itself, much easier than doing it via the clumsy setup buttons on the recorder. My only complaints about the software are not being able to use the bookmark function on WAV recordings, and while you can move recordings between folders on the MS515, it won't move them between folders in the PC pane. A strange oversight.
The MS-515 does have a few issues. As previously noted selecting folders for recordings and menu settings can be difficult and require several attempts to get the button to actually set/select correctly. There is no jack for a power adapter. I guess the designers never realized someone might use it consistently where plugging it in would be preferred to batteries. I use NiMH rechargable batteries and while they don't last as long as alkaline batteries, I just swap between recharged pairs.
The mic jack has become somewhat loose after a year and the flat rate charge for repair is $73, pretty high.
Features missing - aside from a power input, my wish list would be the ability to record through the MS515 directly to the PC when it's plugged in via the USB (some Olympus recorders offer this option), the ability to power the MS515 via the USB, or recharge the batteries that way.
For the Memory Stick Voice Editor software, why not offer access to downloading the latest version, or free downloads of it to people I've mailed recordings to, not just the MSV plug-in for Windows Media Player? Bookmark functionality for WAV files, moving files between folders on the PC side, and more control over information displayed about recordings, and how recordings are named when transferred would all enhance the functionality and save me time.
A complaint about the Sony web site in general- there's no easy way to provide them feature suggestions or product specific ergonomics feedback.
I give the MS-515 a B+
A followup and caution since my April 2004 review. Sony was unable to repair the previously mentioned loose mic jack and shipped me a replacement unit. After receiving two reconditioned recorders that both had problems, Sony finally shipped me a brand new unit. They get an A+ for customer service, but it took two swaps and several weeks. The new unit has worked perfectly for several months. Avoid the reconditioned units like the plague.
April 2007 update
Still using the recorder, no problems still works great. I have upgraded the digital voice editor software. It's improved but still doesn't have the features I noted previously as of the 2.3b version. Don't know if this recorder is still made but it's been a great investment for me.
Great for Cops April 23, 2004
38 out of 38 found this review helpful
As the title suggests, I use this in my law enforcement job. The sound quality compared to microcassettes is so much better that I will never go back. I have had this unit now for at least a year and have used it both in patrol work and in investigations. I have the 128 mb card in mine. I can record EVERY citizen contact during a shift and then DL it to my computer. Heck, sometimes I will go three or four days before I DL the files. This little gem can save your bacon in so many ways. NO BUTTONS ON THE FRONT. It doesn't get turned off by accident. Record a three hour interview and not change the tape. Talk to fourteen different people and all you have to do is press record and stop. It does the rest, including putting the date and time on the recording. No more mangled microcassettes. No more pockets full of tapes. No more tapes accidently getting recorded over. The built in microphone picks up conversation really well. I have the version with Dragon Naturally Speaking, which saves a lot of typing on those loooooong case reports.My advice? Go digital, even if your department won't buy it for you.
 Dead after 13 months use March 17, 2004
19 out of 27 found this review helpful
How do those Sony engineers do it? Mine died 1 month after warranty expires. Since there are no moving parts, nothing to "wear out" but a bad IC design, I would caution anyone else from buying this thing.
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