Digital voice recorders fall into two categories – portable handheld devices and fixed microphones.

Portable devices naturally offer greater ‘freedom’ in that you can record exactly where you want. But portable devices generally have smaller buttons than their fixed counterparts; have batteries that require periodic replacement; and can be mislaid or stolen.

Fixed microphones, on the other hand, are generally cheaper but offer none of the freedom. They need a PC in order to function, as they have no in-built recording method.

Unlike tape-based transcription, digital transcription requires no desk-top device. Instead, foot pedals and a headset are attached to the typist’s PC and the digital sound file is selected and played.