Digital Voice Recorders - Widely Used?

[www.dictate.com.au]

Hello

I am new to this site and forum. I own and operate a digital voice recorder online store here in Australia selling Olympus and Philips digital voice recorders aswell as microphones to turn your iPod into a voice recorder.

I am interested to find out if digital voice recorders are widely used in the private investigation industry and if so what are the key functions and features you look for?

Also, if voice recorders are being used is the trend toward digital or do most stick with the older micro and mini cassette recorders?

Thanks
Dave Holmes
Dictate Australia
www.dictate.com.au

[Cabal Investigations]

I have a trusty old Sony dictaphone (cassette) that I use on surveillance jobs - typing up the surveillance log afterwards. For that it is an indispensable tool.

However, as to other uses, in New Zealand it is specifically prohibited for a Private Investigator to use a device to record the voice or speech of another person without their prior written consent under Section 52 of the Private Investigators and Security Guards Act 1974.

(Also prohibited is taking photos or videos, or using such unless for the purposes of identifying someone who is, or has, been served by legal process)

[Key Resolve]

I am also new to this forum, this being my first post.

I have used the Olympus digital voice recorder and have found it to be an incredibly useful tool when interviewing and taking statements, particularly when the witness does not wish to spare much time.
I have not used one during surveillance yet but I could see their worth there as well.
These digital voice recorders were introduced as standard equipment in my old Government Investigation Dept. job just befor retiring to the civilian life and if I could afford to purchase one now in my private work, I would.

With the speech to text software available now, it would make it even more valuable.

Regards

Chris

[MysteryDisciple]

I agree with Key Resolve - the Olympus is the way to go!


http://www.espionage-store.com/picourse.html

[CT Investigations]

Hi Dave,
A lot of Investigators do use recorders whilst on surveillance jobs (I don't now as I use a PDA).
Investigators conducting Circumstantial (Circs) use them alot.
Are you giving a discount to PIs?