Sanyo has made it possible to throw away your micro-cassettes by introducing the world's first HDD voice recorder. It also features an SD card slot and can store images from digital cameras.

From early March, Sanyo Electric Co. has will start selling the HDR-B5GM, an internal hard drive based voice recorder that can also store image data from digital cameras. The expected retail price is 52,800 yen.

The first internal HDD voice recorder uses a Seagate 1” 5GB HDD and can record up to 693 minutes. It can record in either MP3 or WMA formats and also supports stereo recording.

Also, the unit is equipped with an SD card slot, so it can store images or movies from a digital camera or back-up data from the HDD. Files can transferred from the SD card to the HDD.

It connects to PC's via USB 2.0 and supports Windows Me/2000/XP.

Power can come from three different sources: the internal lithium-ion battery, the AC adaptor, or from a USB connection. The maximum battery life is 7.5 hours for recording, 8.5 hours for playback.

The HDR-B5GM measures 45x19x94mm and weighs 93g (including battery). Compared to the ICR-S300RM, a mini SD card based voice recorder, the HDR-B5GM weighs 8grams more and is 7mm wider, 3.4mm deeper, and 24mm taller.

As part of the HDD mobile ST1 series, which has also included audio players. It has the unique G-Force protection feature, which will protect the head and media during a fall. It also features RunOn Technology, which automatically buffers data against shock while doing things like running.

Article inspired by:
http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/accessories/2005/02/04/898.html
Press release:
http://www.sanyo.co.jp/koho/hypertext4/0502news-j/0204-1.html
Website:
Sanyo