Hi,
"Secondly, minidisk files do not generally download easily to computers; it
can be done (generally from the earphone socket to the soundcard), but there
is no supporting software and users have to proceed through trial and error,
as well as knowing what they are doing in the first place"
You'll be pleased to hear that the latest generation of Sony Minidisc
Recorders allow the user to store up to 1GB of PC data on a HiMD disk and
even transfer their own audio recordings (such as lectures!) to the PC at
high speed via USB.
Regards,
Tony Lees
www.avantek.co.uk
________________________________
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Bernard Doherty
Sent: 10 August 2004 16:18
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Texthelp for Mac.
I've talked about this with Graham before and I wouldn't disagree
with his conclusion that a minidisk player will produce better quality
recordings than the other choices on offer. However, there are other
considerations about how the recording is to be used that outweigh this
straightforward suggestion. First, minidisks are not easy to use: they are
the acme of bad modern design where miniaturisation and complexity seem built
in for their own sake; compare them with the DM1 and imagine how long it
takes a new user to become competent with either machine. Secondly, minidisk
files do not generally download easily to computers; it can be done
(generally from the earphone socket to the soundcard), but there is no
supporting software and users have to proceed through trial and error, as
well as knowing what they are doing in the first place. The situation is
markedly different with DM1s and iPods. Once a digital soundfile is on a
computer, a great deal can be done to it: there is a whole range of software
for cleaning up quality and boosting specific frequencies (so the initial
advantage of minidisks is largely negated). More to the point, files can be
edited and relevant sections copied and collated together in new files.
These files can be attached to Word documents through hypertext links,
removing any need for students to practice their copy-typing skills. The DM1
is balanced to record speech and there is no quick way around that; when
students attend lectures that contain sound examples in other formats (for
example, music students), I recommend an iPod and Griffen.
If the recording device is intended to be stand alone and the
immediate recording is all that is of interest, then Graham's claims cannot
seriously be challenged. On the other hand, if an integrated system of
technological support is being offered, minidisks are not my first choice.
(Oh, and why does everyone use the Z60? The ECM-MS 907 is a much better mic
all round. Maybe a lot of poor recording could be improved if we all started
looking at professional mics and stopped worrying so much about the machine
storing their signal, i.e., reversing the current generally accepted priority
of spending.)
Regards, Bernard
Bernard Doherty
Assessor
East Anglia Regional ACCESS Centre
Anglia Polytechnic University
East Road
Cambridge CB1 1PT
01223 363271 x2534
[log in to unmask]
----- Original Message -----
From: Graham Rice <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Friday, August 06, 2004 6:32 PM
Subject: Re: Texthelp for Mac.
Ian Litterick wrote
> Sent: 05 August 2004 15:52
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: FW: [DIS-FORUM] Texthelp for Mac.
>
> For an MP3 player I would recommend the iPod and/or iPod
Mini as the current MiniDisc recorders do not allow
> you to transfer recordings/music from an Apple Mac as Sony
uses its own proprietary format. It is also not
> recognised by the Mac as an MP3 player.
> http://www.apple.com/ipod/
> http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/italk/
> The iPod is currently seen as a very "trendy" device. This
is true but it still relates very well to the Disability
> market. The iPod 20gb model £219 incl VAT has enough
storage space to record over 150 hours via the Griffin
> iTalk. Tests by some assessors have shown this solution
works very well and is seen as a better solution for
> Apple Mac students as well as some/most Windows based
students.
>
> We are currently in the process of testing a number of
MP3/recording devices to provide the pro and cons for
> various situations. If you are looking for a specific
dictation machine then the Olympus DM1 is the recommended
> choice.
>
> The iPod also allows you to transfer files (backup data,
move data from one computer to the next, hold
> calendar information as well as RTF files which you can
then read on the iPod.
I have also been conducting a few tests with iPods and have
unfortunately not had quite the success that Ian suggests. When I attached a
Belkin voice recorder or the Griffin iTalk to the iPod for anything other
personal voice recordings the quality of the recordings were inferior to
minidisc or even cassette tape recorder this is supported by the tape the
technical specifications.
It is possible to transfer recordings to the computer, and
they do sound better when played through the computer speakers. Lecture
recording isn't really what the iPod was designed to do. Even the addition of
an external microphone such as the Sony ECM Z60 connected to the Griffin
iTalk didn't make any real improvement to the recording of speakers more than
8 feet away from the microphone (when I contacted the technical help at
griffin on this I was told that at the moment I would be better off remaining
with minidiscs for the moment and that would be bringing out a modified unit
in the future that would better accept external microphones).
I have used Olympus DM1's in the past but again the quality
of my recordings has been inferior to that of minidiscs when used side by
side in lectures, both when external microphones were attached and when using
the internal microphone.
The Main reason for providing a recording device for students
is so that they can make a recording of the lecture from which they can make
notes, the recording should be of a quality to enable then to make better
notes than they could if they just made notes in the lecture or tutorial. The
ability to store the recording on any computer is not a primary function of
the provision where as the recording quality is.
I have used the Olympus DM20 which offers almost CD quality
recording and which will allow for the storage and playback of the recordings
on both Mac and PC. There is memory enough for 4 hours recording in near CD
quality or 20 hours in standard mode that could be used for personal
recordings with Dragon Naturally speaking. Whilst the DM20 is more expensive
than the DM1 can also be used as Data storage device with its 128MB memory.
Graham Rice, Technician
Computer Centre for People with Disabilities
University of Westminster
72 Great Portland Street
London W1W 7NH
** The Central London Access Centre **
Tel: +44 020 7915 5428
Fax: +44 020 7911 5162
[log in to unmask]
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