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‘Digta 420’ recommended for high-tech dictation

By: dmc-admin//June 8, 2009//

‘Digta 420’ recommended for high-tech dictation

By: dmc-admin//June 8, 2009//

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You won’t catch me making fun of you, just because you like to dictate.

No, I understand that many people are creatures of habit, and that trying to be on the cutting-edge is too much work for many of us. Sure, there are other, hipper options, like voice-recognition software. But not everybody can be cool; I gave up trying years ago. I don’t watch “American Idol,” nor do I text with great frequency (It costs me $.10 per text, and I’m a cheapie, remember?)

Attorney and law-practice management consultant Jeffrey S. Krause, of Krause Practice Management LLC in Waterford, makes a better case for sticking with dictation, if that’s your longstanding practice and preference.

In a 5,000-word document, and with well-trained voice recognition still making errors at a rate of one percent, you do the math to figure out how many mistakes you’ll be hunting down.

Probably wrong words rather than misspellings, which are harder to spot, especially if you’re very familiar with the document and what you thought you said. I can attest to the challenges of self-editing. Or, perhaps you’re accustomed to dictating away from your computer, such as while driving. Multi-tasking is another habit I understand.

The Cadillac

Krause, who partners with Grundig Business Systems, recommends the Digtasonic x420, or “Digta 420” for short.

Out of the gate, he concedes this isn’t the cheapest solution, but for many attorneys, it’s the best — primarily because it’s similar to the old, tape-based systems they’re likely used to, but much better. It lists at $509, but he and most every Grundig rep will give it to you at a 10 percent discount. You can’t get it at the standbys like Best Buy, Buy.com or NewEgg.com.

“It’s durable, and feels like the standard recorder a lot of attorneys are used to. Yet it’s smaller than the old systems, and smaller than a lot of cell phones. It’s shaped and feels like a microphone, with a slider — again, something a lot of attorneys are used to, that makes one-handed operation really easy. Many attorneys have told me they find it very easy to use while driving,” he says.

You then sync the files on the recorder to your computer by plugging it into a USB and using the DigtaSoft software that comes with the hardware (Or, you can dictate directly into your computer). The software then e-mails the files to your default transcriptionist.

The recipient uses the Digta Transcription Starter Kit, which costs another $263 minus the typical 10 percent discount you can negotiate. It comes with foot pedals, headset and software — again, tools he or she is probably accustomed to, making the Grundig system a seamless transition.

There are cheaper options available. For example, Sony and Olympus make very reliable digital recorders. But, Krause emphasizes, “You get what you pay for.

“The best thing about the Digta 420 is it’s simple. There’s nothing new to learn. It most closely resembles your old tape system, only now, you’ll never lose a tape or have one wear out on you again.”

The Smart Car

Head to your local Radio Shack, or go to RadioShack.com, for the Olympus VN-5200PC Digital Voice Recorder. It costs $62.99, and there’s free shipping if you order it online.

With it, you can transfer your voice recordings directly from the unit to your PC into a WMA file (or Mac, but you must convert it into an MP3 file), for uploading, listening to and e-mailing.

Then, go to nch.com, and download on your transcription’s computer NCH Software’s free Express Scribe Transcription Playback Software. You will be able to control audio playback using a transcription foot pedal or keyboard (with “hot” keys). The software includes variable speed playback, multi-channel control and file management. The foot pedal, of course, costs an extra $70 or so. Ditto the headset; that will set you back about $40. The product reviews on the Radio Shack site suggest that popular uses of this model include recording college lectures or CYA conversations — it’s not “professional” grade, meaning it’s not geared toward medical or legal professionals. But it can still do the job. The most stark difference between this, and the Grundig, other than price and user-friendliness, is sound quality. The Grundig, with its “DSSPro Speech Standard,” has superior sound quality (not to mention better security features). “DSS” stands for “Digital Speech Standard,” and it is a digital speech recording standard developed by Grundig, Olympus and Phillips in 1994. This is important if your transcriptionist is a fan of voice recognition software, even if you are not. The Grundig will likely make for a much higher accuracy rate, than if you use one of the cheaper versions.

Olympus does make recorders with the DSS, starting at $199, which is a big leap in price points. Bottom line? If you’re going this route, it’s probably best done in consultation with your transcriptionist. And please, be safe when driving and dictating!

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