PHILIPSDPM-8000 Professional Digital Pocket Memo DPM8000

I use this often to dictate bits and pieces of works in progress. It has been a boon to productivity for me. The recorder is simple to use, easy to grip, the large screen is helpful and easily-readable, the side switch is perfectly placed. I'm not an audio-sensitive person, so I can't give any insight into how it sounds played back versus any other option out there, but it does the job I need. So far no problems with transcribing via Dragon (in my case, Dragon for Mac). I'm no expert -- yet -- with it; I'll revise this review in several months in case I can offer more insight to those who are thinking of this particular voice recorder.

This product died all of the sudden 3.5 years after purchase. For the cost we were expecting it to go much longer. I purchased the extended warranty coverage, but it expired 6 months ago. WARNING - these devices are not serviceable. It it breaks and you are outside of the warranty you are out of luck.

I recommended this product because of its PIN and encryption features. It's now back on my desk, and I am trying to figure out how to enable them.It appears that encryption requires installation of SpeechExec Pro dictation software, which is distributed on CD with the product. CD drives are no longer installed on our company's computers, and an external drive would have to be approved and installed by technical support. Downloadable versions of the software are available, but they are provided in ISO (native CD format) -- and the Philips website suggests that users should be capable of "mounting" these virtual CD images on various operating systems in order to proceed with installation.Were I to install the software, this would use up the license key, making SpeechExec Pro's features unavailable to the end user.Although the advantages of the PIN/password features are prominently displayed in the product literature, I am unable to determine whether passwords can be enabled directly on the device, or whether they also depend on external software.Downloading and searching the SpeechExec Pro manual, I found no references to either PINs or encryption, casting further doubt on the availability of these features to all but the most ardent and dedicated user.There DO appear to be plenty of dealers and third-party consultants happy to charge by the hour for setting up the DPM8000. One distributor stated (in an online video) that he has blocked access to his product support site, because too many users were coming to it for help, thereby diminishing post-sale revenue opportunities.Needless to say, I'm disappointed -- and embarrassed that I recommended this product.To be fair, the DPM8000 seems to attractively designed, sturdy, and loaded with features, though one wonders how many of them will actually be used.I'm going to suggest that our user take their verbal notes and record interview on a properly configured smartphone, which is protected by a password system that is available and comprehensible to the user.

Works great with Dragon software, which is important. In many respects the transcription off this device is better than off the microphone, live. Compact. Get the unit with the related Philips software if you intend to use it with Dragon.

Long battery lifeEasy to useClear recording

very good

I would give this product 3 1/2 stars, but it does not quite reach the quality to warrant four stars. The reason: the voice activation feature is very poor. It does not work unless you have your lips almost directly up to the microphone and have the setting for the microphone set at "meeting". also with this recorder you can only choose the quality output as a WAV file and not the other options. no software dictation for MacUser, as it is with Windows. However, I should importantly add that when I dictate with the recorder and transcribe the file using Dragon dictate for the Mac, accuracy is pretty good. functionalities probably better with the Windows program, but I am happy with its performance on my Mac, operating system 12.6

The software included did not include a functioning activation code. The code provided appears to have already been used by someone else. Without the software, the unit is useless to me. Returning. Poor.