Does anyone actually USE the TH55 Voice Recorder?

[egarc]

Since "upgrading" from the T3 to the TH55, I have rarely used the voice recorder. On the T3, it was simple. Press the button, talk, release. I used it a lot in the car. Even setting voice alarms was one click, tap a time and OK.

The voice recorder button on the TH55 is practically useless while driving. It begs the user to get in a car accident while using both hands to slide it. Furthermore, if the voice recorder software is already open, the button does absolutely nothing.

I never read complaints about the voice recorder on this forum so I'm wondering if I'm the only one.

[Cyker]

The trick is to hold the TH55 upside down - Your thumb will be right where the voice slider is ;)

But no, I havn't used it much except for laughs :)

[atari_ckx]

I use the TH's voice recorder (about a hour a week), but I use it as table recorder, while I'm on meetings. I don't record at car ... I believe it (the TH) have the expected functionality ...

/\T/\R|

[depret]

The trick is to hold the TH55 upside down - Your thumb will be right where the voice slider is ;)

But no, I havn't used it much except for laughs :)

Yes I use it sometimes but not as much as I thought I would when I got the unit.

Here is the picture to go with Cyker's description.
http://www.1src.com/gallery/data/500/34382RightHanderVoiceRecordInTheLeftHand.JPG

[Munan]

Since "upgrading" from the T3 to the TH55, I have rarely used the voice recorder. On the T3, it was simple. Press the button, talk, release. I used it a lot in the car. Even setting voice alarms was one click, tap a time and OK.

The voice recorder button on the TH55 is practically useless while driving. It begs the user to get in a car accident while using both hands to slide it. Furthermore, if the voice recorder software is already open, the button does absolutely nothing.

I never read complaints about the voice recorder on this forum so I'm wondering if I'm the only one.

I use it daily, but I don't even try to use it or my cell while I'm driving because, well because I'm not trying to die.... ;)

[Cyker]

Was it you that 'invented' that little trick dpret? I couldn't remember who to credit it to :D

[depret]

Yeah, only one claim to fame to my name. :D

[depret]

@egarc
I believe there is a one handed operation thread around here somewhere and a post in tips and tricks.

No accidents here. If you do get into an accident using this method do not blame me or 1src. I do not recommend this method in any moving vehicle. Maybe if the car/truck is in parking gear then go for it.

[egarc]

Thanks guys. I hadn't thought of turning the beast upside down. Depret, thanks for the pic! Did you take it w/the TH55 in the mirror? :)

What about the issue where the Voice Recorder button does not activate recording when the Voice Recorder software is running? In that case, you're forced to tap the record button on the screen to start and stop. Why did Sony think this was an improvement over the Tungsten series implementation? (that last question was rhetorical and to illustrate ineptness in the quality of Sony programmers) :D

Oh, how I wish we could expect a follow-up to the TH55. It's so close to being the perfect PDA but with little hope for a future sibling. :(

[depret]

Yeah, I took it in the mirror and even reversed the image using an editor if I recall. Cyker jogged my memory so thanks to him also.

I use it but I think my voice record button always starts the application. If it does not also start the recording session, then just repeat the process to get it going. Maybe I am wrong.

Yes I would love to see a TH57, TH67 or TH77 but I will use this one until the end.

[depret]

Turned the TH55 off. Executed the procedure by flipping it and moved the voice record button. It starts the voice recording session. Repeat and it stops recording. Maybe it is a preference/option thing or a THGoGo option. Check both to see what you need.

[wellsjs]

Never use it! Same function on cell phone . . . never use it either! One day I'll think of it at an appropriate time! :eek:

[gasmonkey]

man, if thats from the TH55, the camera is WAY better than the NX70v, even though the camera still ahs the same res...

[iratelizard]

Once. I was driving down the interstate, and I was nailed by some construction debris, thanks to the truck in front of me.

I whipped out my clie, and spoke four words.

"Bob's construction, truck 54"

...just in case there was a dent...I could have called and yelled at the company for not securing their junk.

.....just a thought.....

[wellsjs]

Don't even get me started on making voice recordings about people's driving! I'd have to get a 1G Pro MS for sure! :eek:

[COmedic04]

Working in the hospital and in the ambulance, I use a digital voice recorder a lot to record patient info, signs/symptoms, vitals, etc, alot..so I'll probably use the VR function on the TH55 a lot for the same thing. Has anyone used it for recording lectures, etc? How is the receiver for picking up a boring lecture drone on and on? :rolleyes:

[egarc]

Turned the TH55 off. Executed the procedure by flipping it and moved the voice record button. It starts the voice recording session. Repeat and it stops recording. Maybe it is a preference/option thing or a THGoGo option. Check both to see what you need.

Thanks for checking depret. My issue is the second time you record. Please do me a favor and record a message as you described above then turn off the TH55, then repeat the above mentioned process.

Mine will not record a message using the button if the TH55 was turned off while the Voice Record application was running.

A huge thanks!

[MrNako]

I use it a lot in class where it is hard to write everything the professor is saying.

[tristan40]

Mine will not record a message using the button if the TH55 was turned off while the Voice Record application was running.
I just tried this and yes, it did record. Maybe there is some problem with your preferences.

I wish there was a way to map this function to the Capture button. I keep my TH55 in a case so even the upside-down trick is cumbersome. Being able to categorize my recordings would be nice too.

[egarc]

Thanks tristan, I must have a problem somewhere.

[rbentley]

Here is a use for the Voice Recorder.........you can use it for automatic transcription. If you have a program like Dragon Natural Speaking (which comes bundled with WordPerfect) you can load your voice recording into your word processor and have it quickly transcribe it with a high degree of accuracy. I learned this from another post here, which I copied but cant locate the original thread to give the real author credit. I followed his instructions and it does work.

Using Dragon NaturallySpeaking to transcribe Clie Voice Recorder audio

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I've been experimenting with the Clie NX70V voice recorder and Dragon NaturallySpeaking version 5.0, using Dragon NaturallySpeaking to transcribe the recorded voice audio from the Clie. Dragon NaturallySpeaking supports transcription of recorded .WAV files from mobile recorder devices. It is directly compatible with Dragon's NaturallyMobile recorder, and the Sony Memory Stick IC Recorder ICD-MS1. It is not directly compatible with audio files recorded with the Clie.

However, with a simple conversion it is possible to transcribe Clie .WAV files directly into text, with reasonable accuracy.

First, it is necessary to train Dragon NaturallySpeaking to how your voice sounds when played from the Clie .WAV file. This involves reading approximately 20 minutes of sample text provided by Dragon NaturallySpeaking into the Clie recorder, converting the Clie .WAV file to the format that Dragon NaturallySpeaking uses, and telling Dragon NaturallySpeaking to "train" to your recorded voice using this 20 minutes of recorded audio. Once Dragon NaturallySpeaking is trained to your voice, it will be able to transcribe your recorded memos from the Clie. Accuracy can be improved by recording additional training texts on the Clie and allowing Dragon NaturallySpeaking to train on these additional texts. Dragon NaturallySpeaking provides several training texts that can be used for training to your recorded voice.

The key to making this work is the file conversion process. Clie WAV files are recorded using a 4 bit, 22 kHz, mono ADPCM format. Dragon NaturallySpeaking expects transcription .WAV files in 16-bit, 11.025 kHz, mono PCM format.

Windows includes a utility called Sound Recorder. It can be found under the Start Menu, under Programs > Accessories > Entertainment. To convert a WAV file, copy it from the Memory Stick (or Clie internal memory) to the PC, then open it with Sound Recorder. Go to the File menu, select Save As, and under Attributes, choose "11.025 kHz, 16-bit, mono, 21 kb/sec". Save the file using this format and it will be compatible with Dragon NaturallySpeaking.

I have used this and it does work with a pretty good level of accuracy...about the same as my own quick typing. Try it and have fun.

[depret]

@egarc: tristan and I got the same result. I stop the recording. Next power off. Then repeat qnd it worked. Just to make sure I covered your request, I repeated the steps without power off and it worked again. I did not try it from other applications. Also, I don't use CO or Clie Launcher. Keeping it simple and good luck.

@rbentley: Very cool! Let us know the author when you find it.

[depret]

@gasmonkey: Yes that is a TH55 generated photo.

[kp*]

I use it for work sometimes to get low-quality recordings of music. I work in musical theatre and use it in rehearsals of a new musical when no recording of the music has been made (or significant changes have been made since the demo). This comes in handy when someone is trying to describe "that part in the song" and can't quite think of it, or when the director tells the lighting designer that the cue should go on a certain beat, and the LD doesn't know the song well enough to know what he means. Then I can take the LD aside, play the song and say "there." Much more efficient than waiting for the next time the cast performs it.
Most often I transfer the files into MP3s and put them both on my iPod and on my Clie as a backup, so I can listen to them repeatedly to become more familiar with them. The quality is not wonderful, but that's not the point in this case.

I think the Clie's VR is more designed for these kind of long-term recordings, like at meetings or lectures where you set it on your desk and leave it for a while. It sounds like the T3 has more of the quick note-to-self users in mind.