Sony's stereo IC Recorders also playback MP3s

We've all seen plenty of MP3 players with the ability to digitally record voice, right? Some even record stereo audio with an external mic. Now, Sony brings us an updated version of their digital voice recorder with the ability to playback MP3s. What's the difference? The ICD-SX series of devices features a integrated, highly sensitive stereo microphone for recording stereo audio at up to 20kHz in LPEC format. That's good enough for bootleg recordings at near CD quality. You can record between 13.5-hours (stereo, high quality) and 17-hours (monaural) of audio before needing a USB recharge. Otherwise, it'll playback MP3 (only, no ATRAC) files for up to 24 hours on a single charge. The ¥25,000 (about $208) ICD-SX77 ships with 1GB of flash while the ¥20,000 ($166) ICD-SX67 ships with 512MB -- both available in Japan starting March 16th.

[Via Impress]

[Kronk @ Feb 6th 2007 10:35AM]

Please add SD Card support! (Okay, Sony, I'll settle for Memory Stick)

I get it, it's the iPod business model--replace your $200 device when all you really need is a new $20 chip. But it's annoying and I hope it will go away.

[Adam @ Feb 6th 2007 11:20AM]

When can we expect this in the U.S.?

[ts @ Feb 6th 2007 11:34AM]

This is not strictly new, Sony's ICD-SX56 also was a stereo recorder, and could play back MP3s. But the problem is that you can't attach the device via a USB cable and see it as a drive, with all MP3 and other files on it. You can only exchange files via Sony's proprietary software.

[kaztm @ Feb 6th 2007 2:37PM]

"You can only exchange files via Sony's proprietary software."

This one supports Mass Storage Class.

[paul irwin @ Feb 6th 2007 12:10PM]

"features a integrated, highly sensitive stereo microphone for recording stereo audio at up to 20kHz in LPEC format. That's good enough for bootleg recordings at near CD quality."

no. 20kHz is roughly audio cassette tape quality, if that, and who knows how bad the compression is. and an integrated microphone is not going to produce a good bootleg recording.

i know what you're thinking, people made audio tape bootlegs for years. yes, but you're more likely to notice a bad quality recording when it's digital than when it's analog.

[Castle @ Feb 6th 2007 12:46PM]

>>This is not strictly new, Sony's ICD-SX56 also was a stereo recorder, and could play back MP3s. But the problem is that you can't attach the device via a USB cable and see it as a drive, with all MP3 and other files on it. You can only exchange files via Sony's proprietary software.

No, you only need Digital Voice Editor for LPEC files, or converting MP3s to LPEC or vis versa.

[AA @ Feb 6th 2007 2:32PM]

Already the service manual states there is a US model.