As you may have seen on our site, Philips introduced a new model,
called the <a href="http://www.novuscript.com/nsc_prod_detl_.html?
ProdID=AiUiXlgvCFakUc269dYCzZ4ixTMH&fr=cat">DPM 9600</a>. We've sold
quite a few since it launched, and have had opportunity to find out
how it compares to previous Philips models, as well as to it's
competition.

First, "this ain't your father's Philips." The 9600 is a complete new
re-design for Philips. Last year, the head of the voice dictation
division came here from Austria and met with several top dealers to
discuss the pros and cons of current digital voice recorders. We gave
him lots of feedback, and it's obvious that he and his engineers took
much of what we told him to heart.

The Philips 9600 is much more ergonomic, with a larger LCD display,
convenient slide-switch and button locations, and a much more
comfortable shape and feel. Design-wise, we're very impressed.

Philips also employed several new technologies into the 9600, which
are unique to the industry:

- DSS Pro recording format. This increased the fidelity of the DSS
recording format, while also providing for more file attributes such
as encryption.
- Encryption. Not only does the software provide file encryption, but
the recorder itself will encrypt as the file is being recorded. This
prevents someone who might find the recorder left behind from playing
the recordings. (Think: lawyer forgetting his recorder in the
courthouse.)
- LAN docking cradle. An optional LAN docking cradle (a regular USB
cradle is included) can allow instant FTP transfers of voice files
without having to be tethered to a computer.

The accompanying SpeechExec Pro Dictate software has been improved
somewhat, too, although most of the improvements have to do with the
new technologies of the recorder. The user interface is prettier and a
bit easier to use, but the configuration of the software is still
quite complex and daunting for normal users.

Comparison

The 9600 is a big step up for Philips in its quest to compete against
the market-dominating Olympus DS-4000 (in the professional market). It
brings a higher quality recording, better ergonomics, longer battery
life and more to the marketplace, but it has a couple of areas which
prevent it from KO'ing the competition.

- Price. The 9600 retails for $499, or $50 more than the DS-4000. I'mt
not saying it's not justified, particularly considering the improved
technologies. I'm surprised though, since Philips is far, far behind
of Olympus in market share.

- Transcription Document Return. The SpeechExec Pro software still
does not allow documents to be returned from the transcriptionist to
the dictator from within the software. This means that although the
voice file can be encrypted and sent to the transcriptionist, the
resulting document, if it is to be returned with likewise security,
must be sent by some other alternative means outside of the SpeechExec
Pro.

We're working with several clients to see how much better the 9600,
with it's improved DSS quality, will improve speech recognition
through Dragon NaturallySpeaking. Stay tuned.