SAN DIEGO, April 29, 2009 – Sony has refreshed its line of digital voice recorders with six new models that offer upgraded designs and key features to fit the needs of anyone who wants a single recording device for voice, music and portable file storage. 

              “The new designs, long recording times, PC and Mac® compatibility, and improved recording quality all contribute to improving the usefulness of these devices,” said Stephen Teplansky, manager of the digital voice recorder business at Sony Electronics Inc.  “Sony’s product offerings in the digital voice recording space are the perfect solution for consumers of all types.”

            The entire line of Sony digital voice recorders utilize MP3 format for great sound quality. For the recording perfectionist, four of the six models offer the ability to correct recordings during playback as well as add additional notes to the original recording.

Cream of the Crop

Sony now offers a high quality digital voice recorder that can record in Linear PCM as well as MP3 with its debut of the ICDSX700. This premium device, perfect for the musician, is bundled with Sound Forge® Audio Studio L.E. software, making it easy to edit, mix and transfer recordings to CDs.

Compatible with Dragon® NaturallySpeaking® speech recognition software, the top-of-the-line ICD-SX700 and ICD-SX700D digital voice recorders are perfect for business professionals. Coupled with Sony’s Digital Voice Editor software, users can easily and quickly convert voice to text. The ICD-SX700D device includes Dragon NaturallySpeaking Recorder Edition speech recognition software as well as a USB docking station and rechargeable batteries.

              These devices offer increased storage capacity of 1GB, providing up to 372 hours of voice recording time in the Long Play (LP) mode and store up to 17 hours of MP3 music playback at 128kbps. They also boast long battery life and wide frequency range.    

The ICD-SX700 and ICD-SX700D models are available now for about $150 and $200, respectively.

Double Duty

The ICD-UX71 and ICD-UX81 models record in MP3 stereo for high quality sound and also support WMA music playback. While its primary functionality is for voice recording, it doubles as a convenient music recorder and MP3 player with ID3 tagging to display artist and album information on the device

The UX series is feature-packed despite its compact size, adding improved volume and menu controls to its stylish design. The models offer USB-direct connect to enable high-speed file transfer to a PC or Mac, five recording modes for optimal audio quality, as well as increased battery life with a single “AAA” battery for long record and playback time. 

              With a 2GB flash memory, the ICD-UX81 device offers up to 575 hours of voice recording time or up to 35 hours of MP3 music playback time at 128 kbps. The 1GB ICD-UX71, offered in silver, pink and red to match select Sony® VAIO®  notebooks, provides up to 287 hours of voice recording time or up to 17 hours of MP3 music playback at 128 kbps. Both models are available now for about $150 and $100, respectively.

Broadcast Quality

              Topping its predecessor, the ICD-PX720 has updated its lightweight design with a larger LCD screen, bigger record and play buttons, as well as improved playback and volume controls. Other new features include more recording modes and file folders, and increased battery life and flash memory. The 1GB digital voice recorder, ideal for internet broadcasters, also comes with a USB cable and Digital Editor Software that enables high-speed transfer of recordings to a compatible PC. A convenient jack lets users record in stereo with an optional stereo microphone.

              The ICD-PX720 unit offers up to 288 hours of continuous recording time. It also includes a file protection system to prevent accidental erasure of selected recordings and is available now for about $60.

Sans PC

Sony’s entry level digital voice recorder has also gotten a makeover. The ICD-BX700 now provides those who want to record content without connecting to a computer with 1GB of flash memory, up to 288 hours of recording time and a Super High Quality recording mode. It offers increased recording and file options, and a larger screen and controls round out its new look. The device is available now for about $40.