800-series Translator Overview

The 800-series electronic translator is the most advanced translation device available. The 800 series begins life as the PW-800 hardware. Think of the PW-800 as a well-crafted "player" for 800-series software, which comes on a MultiMedia card (MMC). The contents of its MMC determine what the device actually does. For example, a PW800 becomes an EF-800 when an EF-800 MMC is installed. This opens many possibilities for the 800-series owner.

• Features. The 800-series comes loaded with standard features (which you will see detailed on this page). But there are also features that vary by language set. We have developed, for each 800 unit, a chart that shows which non-standard 800-series features that particular unit has.
   
• Nothing extra needed. You don't need to buy any software or accessories, though you can buy MMCs to add languages. Also, you need some means of converting from a non-USA-style receptacle to your 120VAC plug if you travel outside the USA with your unit (which is why we offer the AC Travel Kit). A spare battery is not necessary (the battery charges inside the unit; there is no cradle charger), but we offer it as an option because many customers feel better if they have one.
   
• Follows standards. If you are familiar with portable digital devices, such as a PDA or Pocket PC, you will find the controls of the 800 instantly familiar. You don't have to learn a proprietary system.

800-series Translator Details

The more you look at the 800-series translator, the more you see how very useful it is. The team at Ectaco really did their homework when the produced this device, as you'll see:

Visibility, ease of use

• Hi-resolution backlit color screen
• Adjustable color schemes
• Adjustable font sizes
• Color-coded parts of speech.
• Customizable elements

Speech

• Speech recognition (see the Specifications Table for which languages) is a "quick lookup" function, after which you can select from the results and have the unit speak it, or you can set it to bypass intermediate steps and go directly from voice input to voice output.
• You cannot speak "free-form" into the unit. See this article on speech recognition for what you can do.
• Recorded human voice in the phrasebooks sounds like a real person because it is a real person.
• Synthesized voice in the dictionaries helps you understand the phonetic pronunciation of a word (the phrasebook is your communication tool; the dictionary is more of a learning tool).

Dictionaries

• Massive word count (see the Specifications Table).
• WordNet Princeton edition English-English dictionary of modern English with over 70,000 head words and details explanations.
• Advanced word recognition including MorphoFinder™ allows you to find a word just by typing the first few letters (see the Features table for target language applicability, below).
• The "Add new word " function allows you to add the existing dictionary contents.
• The "Slang lock" function allows you to toggle between "include" or "exclude" (lock in/lock out) slang in the dictionaries.
• Look-up function helps you easily navigate through huge vocabulary bases.

Phrasebook

• A "phrase" is actually a complete sentence. It's called a "phrase" out of tradition and to distinguish from the few models that permit typing in a random sentence.
• Designed with the real traveler in mind, the audio phrasebook was recorded by professional native narrators. Consequently, it delivers superb voice output.
• The audio phrasebook with natural human-recorded speech will help you in a variety of standard everyday situations and activities.
• The "You may hear it" function helps you to understand the other person's answer. For instance, having picked the topic "In a restaurant" you choose the phrase "I would like some white wine please." When you choose "You may hear it" option, the system will display the potential answers you may hear from the waiter in response to your request.

About Sentence Builder

• You will love this powerful, yet easy to use feature.
• Choose from the huge selection of phrases (all conveniently organized for fast selection, plus you have voice-operated lookup available).
• Click on a hyperlinked word in the phrase.
• Select from the list of substitute words to create a new phrase.
• This feature is on all 800 and TL models.

Language-learning

• SAT 200 and SAT 5000 vocabularies. Helpful to English speakers, but also helps those learning English to prepare for English-language standard proficiency tests
• Linguistic games: Flash Cards, Pockets, Spell It, Translation Test: these help you learn at your own pace, expand your vocabulary, and improve spelling
• WordNet Princeton edition English-English dictionary of modern English, with over 70,000 head words and detailed explanations
• Synthesized voice for all included languages and comprehensive examples for use in real-life situations
• English phonetic transcription, essential tool for those learning to speak and write properly
• Vector Ultima™ spell-checker

Additional features

• Virtual keyboard (use with or instead of physical one).
• Media Player with MP3 support to aid you in study and at play. Thousands of audio books are available to be programmed into this MP3 player.
• Currency and metric conversions.
• World time and daily alarm,
• Calculator,
• FlashCards: the classic game that helps you to improve your vocabulary while you play.
• Interchangeable MMC/SD cards allow you to add a variety of languages and linguistic content from Ectaco, Inc.
• This device is powered by an AC/DC adapter and rechargeable battery pack. Both are included.
• MultiMedia Card slot (card included) for simplified content replacement and updates. You can add up to 20 languages on MMC and over the Internet.
• Auto Off function will shut off translator when it’s idle.
• The AC adapter and rechargeable battery are included in the package. Rechargeable battery charges by adapter.

800-series Translator Comparisons

So, how does it stack up? Let's take a quick look:

800-series vs. TL-2

The flip-open 800-series translator does everything the TL-2 does, such as:

• Speech input (speech recognition).
• Voice output.
• Sentence builder.
• Virtual keyboard.
• Display of possible replies to a phrase it just spoke to the other person.
• Conversion to another language, by simply swapping out inexpensive MMCs.
• Free rechargeable battery
• Adjustable brightness, contrast, and screen font sizes.

But the 800 also has:

• High-resolution color touch screen for enhanced visibility.
• Adjustable color schemes.
• Physical keyboard.
• WordNet Princeton edition English-English dictionary of modern English, with over 70,000 head words and detailed explanations.
• SAT 200/5000 vocabularies (of benefit even to native English speakers).

The 800 differs in another important way. It comes in a flip-top case design that fits into your pocket. This makes it great for travel and business situations. Because it's more rugged and industrialized, the TL-2 is better suited for schools, police work, military use, construction sites, and factories.

MMC change difference:

• The 800 MMC slot is easily accessible, for quick change.
• The TL-2 (being water-resistant) has the MMC slot inside the case and a change requires battery removal.

800-series vs. other devices

Let's take a quick look at the competition.