Review on Sony ICDUX560BLK Digital Voice Recorder by George Miller

Wow, that's a real change from Sony's previous recorders. Due to the built-in battery, it is thinner than the previous models. Claimed battery life of 45 hours when recording at a speed of 192 kbps. I haven't tested it and it's hard to do because I charge it often. What I really like: The LCD screen is sharp, crisp and clear - much better than any Sony recorder before it. Huge - Seriously. I set the screen setting to light up during recording so I can see the meter. I recommend making this adjustment immediately. I work as a reporter so being able to see the meter clearly is crucial and this is by far the easiest and most visible display I have ever worked with. The white letter is in the background. Contrast is sharp and high and easy to see in low light. This is a super+++ improvement from Sony. I hope they incorporate it into all of their models, especially their high-resolution systems. This device is thinner than the AAA battery versions and slightly wider. Sony uses this space to attach a larger wheel, making it easier to control playback. It separates the record stop/pause buttons a bit more. What helps. Instead, there is a back/home button that makes the menu easier to use. He calls the menu "Option" - it's a radical change for this system. The menu is intuitive. The recording quality is excellent. What. But I have no problem with that. As well as DPC (cruise control) and A/B button. These two are now ahead on the wheel, which makes a lot of sense. The menu is easily accessible and familiar to anyone who has used Sony in the past. The only thing I want is the battery percentage. It's nice to have a feature. You have to rely on the battery icon itself. But Sony also says this thing can be charged quickly; 3 minutes makes about an hour. Overall I think this is a big step forward for Sony and as a lifelong user (35+ years journalist) of Sony recorders (probably several dozen) this is one of the best they've had. delivered. (I currently have four working Sony recorders). It seems to turn on a little quicker than 533 or AAA batteries, which is nice. Thank you Sony! Excellent work!