Sony's ICD-ST25VTP Digital Voice Recorder makes recording and transcription easy. Use Dragon Naturally Speaking Preferred Voice to Print software to easily convert your recorded files to text and download directly to your PC. With the new voice e-mail function and software, you can send audible e-mails with attached files. These features and up to 696 minutes of recording make the ICD-ST25VTP the right choice for your voice recording needs.
1 Good hardware, horrible software
I purchased 2 Sony ICD-ST25VTP packages, which includes Scansoft NaturallySpeaking version 7.
The first 4 computers I tried to install the software on crashed at the same point during the install process. Scansoft was completely unwilling to help without a prepaid fee. Sony told me this was Scansoft's problem.
Scansoft sales told me version 7 is no good and to buy version 8, for $150/copy to upgrade.
I'm very disappointed that Sony would partner with a business that provides NO technical support without additional cost.
The 4 computers were running XP Pro on 2 and Windows 2000 pro on the other 2. I found a Windows 98SE machine, and the software crashed that too, but was present after reboot (condition unknown). No matter what I tried, I could not get any reasonable voice to text translation - was returning jibberish.
This past weekend I purchased this same device from a local store (Staples) and had exact same result. When I returned it, the sales person showed me a box full of returned devices and told me that other customers had some complaint I did - could not install the software. They gave me full refund.
In the past I have always had very good luck with Sony products, but strongly recommend that you avoid this package.
By the way - Scansoft has a service pack for version 7 at their web site, but the OEM version that is included with the Sony ICD-ST25VTP does not qualify for the upgrade, and the service pack install fails.
The Sony device works very well, but the voice to text software is completely useless (at least as far as OEM version 7 is concerned).
