The Best Digital Voice Recorder

Sony's ICD-MX20 is a top choice if you need a portable digital voice recorder that converts speech into text.

Practically every week I receive e-mail from readers asking about digital voice recorders. Usually, they want to know which digital voice recorder is best, and which I recommend for speech-to-text conversion.

The short answer to both questions is Sony's ICD-MX20--and now for the longer answer.

Sony's ICD-MX20 is available in two versions. The ICD-MX20DR9 (online prices, $215 and up) comes with Nuance's Dragon NaturallySpeaking speech recognition software for Windows--hence the "DR" in the recorder's name. The ICD-MX20 (online prices, $175 and up) is the same recorder sold without NaturallySpeaking. The ICD-MX20 works with NaturallySpeaking; it's for those who either already have or don't want the software. NaturallySpeaking is the only speech recognition software with which Sony's recorders are compatible.

The cool thing about Sony's recorder is the speech-to-text function. Here's how it works: Dictate a memo into the recorder; connect the recorder to your Windows PC via USB; open Sony's included Digital Voice Editor software; and click the Voice button to launch Nuance's Dragon NaturallySpeaking software if available.

NaturallySpeaking then transcribes your memo into text, including any formatting commands you dictated, such as "comma," "new paragraph," and such. The transcribed text is added to a Word file or to a DragonPad file. (DragonPad is a word processing/dictation program installed with NaturallySpeaking.)

The ICD-MX20 models are by no means the only recorders that perform this speech-to-text magic. You can get a list of current and older devices compatible with NaturallySpeaking atNuance's Web site.

However, among the list of current recorders compatible with Naturally Speaking, the ICD-MX20 earned Nuance's highest accuracy rating. Based on Nuance's recommendation, andmy own experiencetesting Sony voice recorders, I bought an ICD-MX20 (I already have NaturallySpeaking).

The ICD-MX20 does an excellent job accurately transcribing my voice into text. I've dictated entire, lengthy e-mails complete with punctuation into the recorder and only had to make a few corrections after NaturallySpeaking transcribed my recordings. It's an efficient way to compose documents and capture thoughts while away from a computer.

For the best accuracy, you should be in a fairly quiet environment when dictating. For example, if you're dictating into the recorder while on the freeway with your windows open, the background noise will make it tough for the NaturallySpeaking speech recognition engine to do its job.

The device is thin, compact, and easy to carry. The Rec/Pause and Stop buttons are clearly marked and easy to reach. The ICD-MX20 records in stereo and has a headphone output and an input for an external stereo microphone.

In addition to its 32MB of internal memory, the recorder has a Memory Stick Pro Duo slot, so you can record longer at higher quality settings. Not all Sony recorders feature a memory card slot, it should be noted, and the ICD-MX20's inclusion of one is another factor in its favor.

Though some critics complain that Sony's Memory Stick cards are expensive, you can find deals. Example: Recently, I bought a SanDisk 2GB Memory Stick Pro Duo on sale atRadioShackfor $25.