(letters, emails, reports, manuals, etc)

Some individuals prefer to use specialised recording devices for dictation, such as Philips, Sony, Grundig, etc; while others prefer to set up their laptop or desktop computer or even a pocket PC or PDA to record dictation using NCH Express Dictate Professional Dictation Recorder.

1. Desktop or Laptop Computer
2. Specialised Dictation Recording Devices
3. Pocket PC
4. Palm Device

1. Dictate using your Desktop or Laptop Computer

Express Dictate is a computer based voice recorder that works like a dictaphone. It allows a PC or Mac user to send dictation to a typist by email, internet or over a computer network.

This dictation software can dramatically improve the turnaround time for work and, most importantly, lets you work wherever you want. As long as you have access to a computer you can dictate anywhere - even overseas. It is quicker to send, higher quality and more reliable than traditional dictation options.

Express Dictate uses state of the art audio processing and compression technology to transmit audio and includes features such as automatic editing, voice activated recording and secure encryption (dct file format). The dictation software will also keep track of the progress of work and expected completion time. As well as dictating using your PC or Mac, you can also use your existing portable dictaphone or other digital dictation recorder while you are away from your computer. The Express Dictate 'Dock' feature lets you transfer the dictation quickly and easily and send it to your typist electronically.

2. Dictate using a Specialised Recording Device

To record dictation (reports, correspondence, books, etc.), you will need a digital dictation device e.g. Philips, Olympus or even Sony. This recording device must have the capacity to transfer the recorded sound file to your PC. What is also important to bear in mind is the format in which the sound file will be captured i.e. wav, dss, dct, etc. You will need to ensure that your transcriptionist/ transcription service provider is able to work with the sound file produced by your dictation device. The majority of transcriptionists are able to work with the most common of these formats, namely: wav, dss and dct but it would be best for you to check with the transcriber first. It is possible to convert many of the sound formats to a format compatible with the software used by the transcriptionist, except in the case of proprietary formats where it will be necessary for the transcriber to obtain the specialised player to transcribe your audio files.

The manufacturers of recording devices that produce audio files in proprietary formats have been kind enough to include the option to save the file in a "wav" format. Although the wav format is a standard file format that can be used on Widows PCs, it is a high resolution sound file and these are usually large files that will use significant amounts of bandwidth and time when transferring your digital audio file to your transcription service provider. Although the wav file is a decent alternative, it is not ideal for the purposes of dictation.

Where the recording of dictation using a laptop of desktop computer is not an option for you and you rquire a more mobile solution, we recommend you purchase an Olympus or Philips dictation device that generates a Digital Speech Standard audio file format. The file extension is "dss". These digital audio files are compatible with the most popular software programmes being used by transcriptionists in the industry today.

3. Dictate using your Pocket PC

Pocket Dictate lets you dictate with a palm sized Pocket PC. You dictate directly on your Pocket PC using the buttons on the unit. When done, tap send and the dictation will be compressed, encrypted and sent to Etranscript by email automatically.

For ease of use, operation of the record and playback features is designed to closely mimic that of old style dictation recorders. For example, you record by holding down the record button on the side of your Pocket PC. Release the button to stop. To continue from where you were press it down again. You can also playback, rewind, insert or overwrite as required using the keys on the front.

The software is designed to have all the features you need as easy to use as possible and reliable for day-to-day operation. If you install Pocket Dictate you will quickly find it will replace your old dictaphone and, by using the internet to send dictations, will improve the turnaround on typing.

4. Dictate using your palm device

Palm Dictate lets you dictate with a hand held Palm PDA. You can dictate directly on your PDA running Palm OS 5.0 (or above) using the buttons on the unit. When done, tap send and the dictation will be compressed, encrypted and sent to your typist by email automatically.

For ease of use, operation of the record and playback features is designed to closely mimic that of old style dictation recorders. For example, you record by holding down the record button on the side of your Palm PC. Release the button to stop. To continue from where you were press it down again. You can also playback, rewind, insert or overwrite as required using the keys on the front.

The software is designed to have all the features you need as easy to use as possible and reliable for day-to-day operation. If you install Palm Dictate you will quickly find it will replace your old dictaphone and, by using the internet to send dictations, will improve the turnaround on typing.