See Digital Transcription Products

Every person has a different need or different idea on how they want their transcription handled. What you should do is first map out your workflow. Exactly how do you want the entire process handled? You can download from the internet with and without encryption to FTP sites, email and other methods. Some may simply want the old tape method (i.e. media cards instead of tape). Once you know what you want, then you can start your search.

First, let's look at the types of digital recorders we have.

Digital Recorders

- Fixed Memory Recorders
- Removeable Memory Recorders
- Hybrids

Fixed Memory Recorders - only give you a fixed amount of time on a given recorder. Now, be careful when reading the available recording times. Much of the marketing materials promote the highest amount of recording minutes available for the recorder, but at the lowest quality setting. For speech recognition, recoding of music, recording in loud areas or recording multiple people all benefit by using the the higher quality sound.

Removeable Memory Recorders - give you great flexibility with the available recording time. The recorder comes with a memory card and you can expand or get much bigger memory cards. As of this writing, memory cards can boast 512MB per card. Enough to give you weeks worth of recording on a single memory card. In some instances, you may have to keep this memory card for legal reasons in original format.

Hybrid Recorders - Give you both in one package!

- Push Button Recorders
- Thumbslide Recorders

Push Button Recorders - may also have the ability to insert dictation. However, it is sometimes difficult getting to the point of insert. Some push button recorders do not have rewind review. Just Rewind. You'll also have to use 2 hands to do this or go through multiple menus.

Thumbslide Recorders - The top of the line recorders have a thumbslide switch to control it's review and insert capabilities. These are truly the recorders professionals need. Rewind review capability, rewind, insert, etc ... These recorders are currently only available as removeable memory type.

Trascribers and Docking Stations

Many of these digital transcription systems require you to use a footpedal system connected to a computer. You then receive the recorder files electronically (either by transfer from recorder to computer via a USB cable, or by way of a memory card reader. Olympus and Philips do currently have hybrid type systems where either method is used with the transcribers.

A transcriber is more than just a footpedal. It's a footpedal and software to work with the footpedal. Therefore, when making your purchase, please be sure you have at least 1 footpedal software for your installation.

Docking Stations. Docking stations make it very easy to download your recorder files to the computer. Some docking stations actually recharge the batteries on your recorder. This is available on the very high end systems.

Software

This is what separates the recorders from eachother. The ability to build your method (workflow) of transcription. There really is too much information to add here. However, the hardware is only as good as it's software. While all of the systems come with some basic form of transcribing and recording/downloading, some systems go way beyond the basic functions

Manufacturer Summary

Each manufacturer has their strong points and you have to weigh which functions are most important to you.

Grundig - A newcomer (well not actually). Grundig has been in the background of much of the transcription business. They were part of the consortium to build .DSS technology and provided hardware to one of the biggest suppliers of transcription equipment in the world. Grundig now has new products offered direct and introduces new technology in transcription.

1. Introduction and support for new RFID.
2. Recorders and handheld microphones support either Barcode reading or RFID support.
3. Recorders can be used as handheld microphones with full control*.
4. Ergonomic Dictation Microphone for leaning back on a chair and doing dictation comfortably.
5. The use of DSS files for small audio files. This makes it best for emailing or transferring files across a network or the internet.

Olympus - There are a few strong points on the Olympus end.

1. The use of DSS files for small audio files. This makes it best for emailing or transferring files across a network or the internet.
2. Encryption / Decryption. Using the higher end Olympus recorders, the recorders and transcribers can encrypt and decrypt data.
3. Super High Quality Recording. Includes Stereo Recording and Stereo Hi Fi Recording.
4. Software. The DSS Player Pro softare included with the higher end systems allows you to build a workflow from beginning to end of the document creation. You can automatically download files, convert them, send them via email or to FTP, encrypt, etc..

Philips - Has basic recorders with a few unique features.

1. The use of DSS files for small audio files. This makes it best for emailing or transferring files across a network or the internet.
2. Voice commands integrated into the recorder. This allows for the ease of identifying worktype or patient numbers and using this information with the audio file*.

Sony - Sony keeps it simple by giving you exactly what you need. Plus, it's high quality recording is second to none. Sony generally works with .wav files. This is a negative for email documents, but is a positive if you plan to use voice recognition software. Sony recorders give you the best accuracy in voice recognition as of '2006.

1. Keeps it simple with only a few recorders and one transcriber for digital transcription.
2. Records in native .WAV allowing for high quality recording and high speech recognition accuracy.
3. Thumbslide available
4. Sony Digital Voice Editor software - to playback and manage audio files.

The last difference between these systems is price. Are you willing to pay more for more or less for less. That is the magic question you need to answer.

This article was written by New World Creations. All rights reserved.