Digital Voice Recorder FAQs

Of all the questions one could ask before purchasing a digital voice recorder, the most pertinent one is probably, "What kind of digital voice recorder should I buy?" Here, we'll answer that question - and a few more you might think of afterward.

Q: What kind of digital voice recorder should I buy?

A: For quick, personal notes; study aids; or other short conversations and memos, you'll do well to purchase a low-priced DVR with a few recording-quality options. For longer meetings, college lectures, interviews, and professional dictations, you'll want to find a mid- to high-priced DVR with the appropriate settings, organizational features, recording quality, and memory storage.

Q: Should I purchase a microcassette recorder instead?

A: Microcassette recorders are more affordable than digital voice recorders, but they don't offer the option to transfer recorded material to a computer. On the other hand, not all digital voice recorders have downloading capacities. If you're going to want to have a permanent copy of the material you record, you might want to purchase a microcassette recorder.

Q: What accessories can I use with my digital voice recorder?

A: Some common accessories to purchase to make the most of your digital voice recorder include an AC adapter to save on battery power and a USB cable to connect the DVR to a computer for file transfers.

Q: What file format will my digital voice recorder use?

A: DVRs vary by type as to what file format they use, and some offer several formats. More recent DVRs will allow files to be recorded as WMA files, which means they can be downloaded to a computer and played with Windows Media Player. Be sure to take notice of your DVRs file formats, however; you may have to purchase additional computer software to transfer and play the files on a computer.