SonyICD PX333 Digital Voice Recorder

Sony makes these recorders to last! I bought a new one after the one I had by accident fell in the toilet (don't ask). It was completely submerged -- but I did snatch it out fast (clean water, it was a stupid accident I can't even begin to explain). I took out the batteries and left the back door open so it might dry out and work again. I thought, however, nothing is going being totally submerged in water, especially a digital device.The Sony voice recorder that took a swim is just like this but an earlier model. I had it since January 2012, and paid about the same amount of money for it.After it fell in the commode I thought there goes a nice item I used daily down the toilet, quite literally.So after it dried out for a few days, I put back in the batteries. Nothing.I shopped around and bought another Sony voice recorder at Amazon, this very one.It arrived in a week -- nice fast shipping -- and well packaged. It did not come with the Sound Organizer software CD, though I have the software CD from an earlier purchase of the recorder, but I'll bet you can download the Sound Organizer software from the Sony site. It's worth it because the software is very good.When the new one arrived, I put in the batteries and it did not work. WHAT?!? Then I realized I put the batteries in backwards, so I turned them around and that did the trick.So I wondered, maybe I should see if the dunked recorder would work because I might have put the batteries in backwards.HOLY TOLEDO!!! The dunked recorder turned on right away and works just like it did before it took the dive in the toilet.I thought of returning the new one I bought because there are so many other things I need, and these really aren't cheap. But I decided to keep it instead and use the older model as a back up. Overall they are excellent digital devices, well made and the support from Sony is superb.Let me say this about the voice recorder:It has many options and features for recording: you can set it to lecture, voice recording, meetings and more. Each will impact how it records. You can set it to dim background noise, to make the mic very sensitive (and boy is it!) and a host of other useful features.At first the recorder might seem overwhelming because there are so many options. I always end up setting the date and time manually, but that's easy. After you play around with it for a while, getting the hang of everything is fairly easy.AND you can add a microSD card to increase the capacity or just to have other storage. I use an 8 Gig microSD card because if for some reason you mess up (just like I did) and unplug your voice recorder's USB cable from your notebook (just like I did) before going through the process of disconnecting the connection in your notebook, you can mess it up and it won't work like that anymore. But you still have the ability to transfer to your notebook by using the SD card in an adapter.So with my old one (that took a toilet bath) I have to remove the SD card and an adapter to transfer voice notes into my notebook. It's easy and works well.I also kept the new one because I like using the USB cable (that DID come with the recorder.)What else can I say?The Sound Organizer software is great. I have used music files in my notebook and edited them into ringtones. Then transferred them to my Samsung software. You can use the Sony Sound Organizer software to adjust settings in your voice recorder and also to make playlists and probably a whole lot of other stuff that I haven't even tried. In the range of easy to hard, I would rate the software as easy and intuitive.THIS is probably the most important aspect of these Sony devices: the excellent support. If something is STILL causing a problem or you can't figure out something (just like me) there is the Sony phone number where you can get fabulous and friendly service. Sony items may cost a bit more than their competitor, but when you are stuck and just need help, they are there ALWAYS THERE. I never thought about factoring in support when I bought items, but now I do because for example, Samsung won't do squat to answer questions because I bought an international version from Amazon. Sony, on the other hand (and like HTC, too) has support that is among the best. You would be amazed how much it matters.I had to reinstall the software and could not figure out where my voice files were (good old HP notebook hard drive crash after only two months) and those people at Sony offered to remotely connect and they not only fixed the issue but explained how to do it and were not resentful about it. They also were professional, the focused on the issue and not like some others, they ONLY does the repairs (ie: without tampering with browser settings and setting that may just be too tempting to techies at some companies. I have come to learn that it's worth spending a few extra bucks on an item if the support is good. It is not just selling the item but the support that should go with it. .This is actually my third Sony voice recorder. They have all been this make, but newer models. My first, which I loved and got the software CD and handbook with, was stolen in a burglary in January 2012. I had it for maybe three years.The second took the commode dive but is still working perfectlyAnd this model. So if you are on the fence about which voice recorder to get, I hope this review helps. I would not pay more than $59 for it (I got my first about six or seven years ago for $39) so if you see anyone selling it for more, shop around. They are now in the range of $55 to $59. My only reservation about this one is there was NO software CD or little Sony booklet. But it would not be a deal breaker, because nowadays I'll bet you can download the handbook in pdf form and the Sound Organizer software from the Sony site. I just think the sellers should say so, because people might not know you can get software.As far as this seller goes, (World Class, Inc) the recorder arrived within a week, it was packed well to be safe and was shipped USPS, which in my opinion is a smarter faster way for small items. I don't know about where you live, but UPS cannot deliver a package to me that doesn't look like they ran over it first. Because of torn, opened, damaged and mangled packages have been so bad I have now decided I either reject them or send them back. Oh, and this recorder also arrived with two AAA batteries.

As a nursing student, I like to record my lectures in class so that I can go back and jot down notes I have missed. When you get the product, you are greeted to this long black candy bar shape with sturdy and high quality plastic. It comes with two AAA batteries. On the top of the device, you have two audio jacks. The red one is an input for an external microphone if you choose to use one. If not, the device will default to the one built in. The black one is a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack to listen to your recording privately. The left side houses the mini usb (not micro) for connection. this is a shame since mini usbs aren't all that popular and I only have one cable that can connect to it compare to the mountain of microusb cables I have. There's a micro SD card slot/M2 slot for additional storage. You will also find a sliding switch for on and hold functions. The hold function locks down the controls so when you are recording, you don't accidently push down buttons. There is also a land yard hole if that is your thing. To the right is a thankfully flushed erase button. They make the button difficult to push so you don't accidently erase important recordings. there is also a volume rocker, a playback loop button, and a noise cancellation switch. In the back theres nothing except the battery cover. The front has the folder select button, a button for different recording scenarios (Lecture, Audio In, Meeting, Voice notes, Interview), a display button when pushed shows different information on the screen, a play/stop button, a record/pause button, forward ,reverse, stop and t-mark. The speaker is mediocre to good. I really wouldn't expect a fantastic battery like the htc one's speakers on something as like this recorder, but it gets the job done. There is only one microphone. There is a useful battery status on the display when you turn it on.Sound wise, I'm pleased. Of course this depends and varies on the situation you are in. I will give you my experiences as a student. If you are in a lecture hall, this is terrible. The echo makes the quality pretty terrible. Plus when you sit in the back of the lecture hall, you will pick up a lot of other nonsense from other students, or the shuffling of papers from students next to you. If I place the record right next to the speakers in the lecture hall, words are audible, but don't expect it to be HD. In a smaller room, things are better as the reverb is less and the professor's voice is a lot closer to the microphone. It works best if you place the recorder on the table where the professor stands. The audio quality from that is top notch. However, if a student asks a question, it most likely won't pick it up. If I am at home and I record my voice, it is amazing. Still, I like this product because I can still make out the words the recorder picks up. I don't go to lecture halls anymore, so it suits me well for my purposes.