Dictation equipment has come a long way since it was first developed, and digital dictation devices make it easier than ever for professionals to keep track of their notes and save time. Whether you’re a doctor, lawyer, journalist or in another profession entirely, digital dictation equipment is very different than press-and-record digital audio recorders. Here are the major differences and advantages that you’ll enjoy when you use quality conference dictation machines in Seattle, WA.
Types of dictation equipment
There are three major types of dictation machines: voice recorders, conference machines and dictation recorders. Voice recorders are the simplest and cheapest option—they record audio files into a high-quality, low-space format (.mp3 is the most widely used) and are often battery powered. These can be useful in a pinch, but don’t offer the features and advantages that professional dictation equipment provides.
Conference recorders are equipped with high-quality noise-canceling microphones that are designed to pick up multiple voices in a large room. The recording can be set to high or low quality, which will determine how much time you can record on the internal memory. However, most machines also come with a slot for an external memory card, so you can record high-quality audio for longer periods of time—depending on the card, you can record in high quality for up to 500 hours. Typically, these machines will come with AC adapters, but do not come with edit-and-append features like you might see in dictation recorders. Depending on the size of your conference room, you may need up to eight microphones to effectively catch everyone’s input—quality conference dictation machines in Seattle, WA will have space to upgrade or connect more microphones.
Finally, digital dictation recorders are best for professionals who would like to take notes or dictate correspondence and other writing. For these machines, the microphone is held close to the face to pick up the sound better. The features on this type of machine include editing, review, appending and organizational tools that make it easier to keep track of your notes. They generally will come with AC adapters and hands-free options, as well as multiple recording formats and memory card slots.
Many digital dictation machines have additional features like HIPAA-compliant encryption and multiple-channel capturing (great for court reporting and recording), so be sure to ask the team at Efficiency, Inc. which models might work best for your specific profession.
Post-recording transcriptions
After you record your audio, it’s important to consider how your dictation machine will transfer the files. Some machines connect via USB, while others have removable memory cards. Higher-quality machines will have specialized software to make your audio recording, organization and transcription even easier. Depending on the type of machine, make sure you ask what kind of file transfer and software options are available for that model, and compare them to what you need in your everyday business life.
At Efficiency, Inc., we specialize in audio recording software and equipment for professionals, including quality conference dictation machines in Seattle, WA—call us today to get help choosing the right model for your needs.