Resources

Looking for an additional resource for InqScribe? Here's where to find it:

Digitizing Services

Do you need to digitize or convert your audio or video tapes? Try Video Dailies from our friends at Global Video for fast and reliable conversion of your videotapes into any standard or high definition digital format.

Foot Pedals

InqScribe directly supports most USB foot pedals. Though we don't endorse a specific brand, we've tested and confirmed compatibility of the following pedals: For a simple, affordable pedal, try the VPedal or the Infinity IN-USB-1 foot pedal. If you're looking for a fancier model that includes the ability to map its pedals to specific keystrokes in different applications, the X-keys USB foot pedal is a solid performer.

Need more info? Read our Frequently Asked Questions about foot pedals.

Digital Audio Recorders

In general, if you're planning to use InqScribe to transcribe audio, you should choose a digital recorder that records to an audio format that InqScribe can play. Look for recorders that can record directly to MP3, WAV, WMA, or AIFF formats. Be wary of recorders that record to DSS or DVF formats. These formats are proprietary and InqScribe cannot play them back directly. (You can convert DSS or DVF audio files to WAV for use with InqScribe, but it's an extra step.) Finally, make sure the recorder has a way to transfer files to your computer. Some recorders simply appear as disks when you plug them into your USB port; others require the use of custom software to download files.

Note: We have not tested all these products and do not endorse one brand over the others. If you have experiences (good or bad) with these or other models, let us know.

Olympus makes several digital recorders.

The budget-priced VN-4100PC records to DSS, so you'll have to export to WAV before playing the files in InqScribe. This recorder is apparently not compatible with Mac OS X.
The WS-100, also fairly cheap, records to WMA and works well with Windows and Mac OS X.
The more expensive DS-30 or DS-40 record to WMA, which can be opened directly in InqScribe (although on Mac OS X, you'll need to make sure you've installed the Flip4Mac QuickTime component that handles WMV and WMA formats). These recorders also offer more playback options.
Going upscale, the LS-10 is really a music recorder, not just voice. But it records to MP3, WAV, and WMA, supports SD memory cards, and records in uncompressed PCM (super quality).

Sony gear like the ICDU60, ICDU70, or ICD-B500 tends to record to DVF. You'll need to buy an additional software package to download and convert the files for use with InqScribe. But some folks love the quality of DVF.

Here are some other recorders that have caught our eye for various reasons.

If you've already got an iPod, you may be able to record to it using the Griffin iTalk Pro or the Belkin TuneTalk.
Other high-end recorders include the Edirol R-09 and the Samson Zoom H4.
The Samson Zoom H2 might be a nice midrange option.

Digital Video Recorders

There's no shortage of camcorders on the market, but we're really enamored by the new generation of devices that record directly to a file (usually MPEG-2 or MPEG-4). These recorders save you a ton of time because there's no need to do a real-time import of the video, followed by a time-consuming compression from DV format to something else (like MPEG-4). Instead, you plug the camera into your computer and copy a file. If you don't need super-high quality footage, these cameras are a great choice.