Product Description
It's a simple idea: provide brilliant stereo recording in an easy-to-use, ultra-portable device. The H2 is the only portable recorder with 3 mic capsules onboard for mid-side recording. A directional mic is in the center (mid) and two directional mics (side) are positioned left and right. The audio is decoded instantly, bringing these three signals together for unparalleled stereo imaging. One button recording, gain controls on the side and an intuitive user interface mean you can always capture the moment. Set your levels, push record and go. The H2 records on Secure Digital (SD) media and a 512MB SD card is included. With a 4GB SD memory card, the H2 provides up to 2 hours recording at 96kHz, 6 hours at 44.1kHz, or up to a staggering 138 hours in MP3. Play your recordings on your home audio system with its 1/8" stereo output or listen to your masterpiece with headphones. Or, use the H2's USB interface to move your recordings to your Mac or PC to listen, edit and share. 512MB SD memory card included; Accommodates up to 4GB SD optional memory cards Auto Gain Control (AGC) for pristine recordings Auto Start function means you're always ready to record Low-cut filter eliminates wind noise On-board chromatic Guitar/Bass tuner Two standard alkaline AA batteries will give you 4 hours of continuous operation and a backlit display means it's always easy to use in any situation Pocketable - Weighs only 4 ounces
Customer Reviews:
zoom h2 an excellent product.......2007-12-24
crystal clear piano concert recording even at 50 feet away - excellent for musicians and music teachers. would recommend to all associates in the music and teaching professions.
Impressive.......2007-12-23
As a rookie freelance multitasking radio journalist I got this little device after carefully reading reviews and seeking professional advice from fellow journalists working in the field of radio. Although I have not used it to its full capacities I am floored by the quality of the recorded sound.
I will not whine about the complexity of the menu because I truly find it very simple to use and very intuitive. I am a decent techie but not a wizard and to my great surprise the Zoom is simple enough to work right away from the box without reading the manual 16 times and has a lot of options to choose from.
The one reservation I have is that you need to make sure that the Zoom is not touched or moved during recording otherwise you can hear some cracking noise that will spoil your recording. Once you know this minor inconvenience it's easy to fix: I personally use the little stand that comes with it and holds the Zoom by the stand while recording or I simply put it down where I will not have to touch it.
Overall I give it a full 5 star because for that price I got more than what I was looking for and I am VERY happy with it.
Zoom H2 recorder .......2007-12-22
Having used many heavy, bulky tape recorders since the 1940s, (I am 91 years old) , this little recorder is amazing! However, I had to use a magnifying glass to see where the "on" switch was in order to start recording! Even tho' I'm electronically challenged, I had it set up quickly and enjoy the sound quality of my guitar recordings.
Excellent gizmo.......2007-12-19
Works great. I use it to record my son's concerts. Formerly I would take the audio track from a HDD camcorder. The H2 is far superior to that method, in terms of quality and ease of use.
Get a 4GB card so you can record uncompressed -- which you'll want to do if you plan on any post-processing. I got an Ultra II card because I was concerned about getting drops from write latency. It did the trick but I'm not sure if a cheaper card would also have sufficed.
Extremely good for serveral purposes..........2007-12-18
I've had my H2 since September, and used it in a variety of professional broadcast situations, with mixed success. The recorder worked well when recording from a line level or mult box feed at mic level. I loved flipping out the card and putting it into my laptop's SD slot to get the files in quickly for edits.
Hoever, given that the recorder's construction precludes using it handheld (too much noise transmitted from handling) it is a definite negative that a standard broadcast field mic like an EV 635A does not deliver enough signal to overcome the poor mic preamp built in.
The built-in mic does work quite well (in the right setting) and is excellent for simple voice track tasks recording in a very quiet place. Be sure to use the included pop filter to prevent "P-popping."
I haven't tried it for face-to-face interview yet, using two of the built in mics, but I'm guessing it would be OK.
The Marantz 620 is being evaluated here and seems to be able to overcome a few of the H2's handicaps at a not-too-much-higher price.
Certainly for low-cost voice recording for amateurs or even limited professional use like mine, this is a very cost-effective tool.
Product Description
Record uninterrupted audio on the VN-4100PC then transfer files to your PC with speed and ease by way of the direct PC Link. With one simple cable connection, files can be transferred to a computer and be organized, listened to and even emailed to friends and family. The compact design makes it functional and portable with up to 144 hours 20 minutes recording time, 8660 uninterrupted minutes in LP mode. Connect easily to almost any PC to edit, email, and archive your files. Manage audio files between three separate folders and use another for scheduling reminders that can be automatically played back. Program the VN-4100PC to begin and end recording audio at specific times. The Large LCD for easy, quick viewing of file locations, recording status and battery life. Slow and Fast Playback modes let you listen to audio 25 percent slower or 50 percent faster than real time. Voice activation extends recording time by recording only when the microphone senses sound. Input Level - -70dbv 23x25 mm LCD Voice Activation Output - 120 mW Speaker - 28mm diameter dynamic internal speaker Microphone Jack 3.5 mm mini-jack, impedance 2 ohms Earphone Jack 3.5 mm mini-jack, impedance 8 ohms Power Supply 3.5 mm mini-jack, impedance 8 ohms Batteries - Two AAA batteries Battery Life - Up to 25 hours System Requirements - Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, XP Professional, Home Edition, CPU Intel Pentium 166MHz or faster, 32MB RAM, Sound Board Creative Labs Sound Blaster 16 or 100% compatible card, Video Card & Display 800x600 pixels, 256 colors, 2x CD-ROM Removable Drive, At least 1 free USB port, Audio Output Speaker or earphone output Dimensions - 4.0 x 1.54 x 0.77 inch (101.6 x 39.1 x 19.6 mm) excluding protrusions Weight - 2.22 ounces (68.0 grams) including battery
Amazon.com Product Description
Record over 144 hours of uninterrupted audio on the Olympus VN-4100-PC 256MB PC Digital Voice Recorder and then transfer the audio files to your PC with speed and ease with the included USB PC Link. With one simple cable connection, files can be transferred to a computer for easy organization, playback, and emailing to friends and coworkers. The easy-to-use thumb pad allows for quick and convenient navigation of functions like file management, choosing recording modes, and more while the included timer recoding and voice activation modes provide added versatility. Depending on the quality of the desired recording, the VN-4100PC is able to record in four recording modes to meet your specific needs: XHQ for extra high quality, HQ for high-quality, and SP and LP modes for extended recording. Just above the easy-to-use thumb pad, users will find a large LCD screen for easy, quick viewing of file locations, recording status, and battery life. The thumb pad also allows you to control the slow and fast playback modes, allowing you to listen to audio playback at 25-percent slower or 50-percent faster than real time. The unit's storage capacity is divided into four folders, and each folder can store up to 100 files. Easy file management functions allow you to erase single files, multiple files, as well as transfer files between folders. An on-board voice activation feature extends recording time by recording only when the microphone senses sound while the easy-to-use index marks let you specify a particular point in a recording or playback for easy reference. Use the timer recording option to set a start and end time for a particular recording. Measuring 4.0 x 1.5 x 0.8 inches, the VN-4100PC weighs only 2.2 ounces.
What's in the Box
VN-4100PC digital voice recorder, Digital Wave Player software, USB cable, two AAA alkaline batteries, and instruction manual.
Customer Reviews:
Playback Controls Details.......2007-12-26
The purpose of this review is to let readers know about how the "fast forward" and "rewind" functions work on this unit (I found that sufficient detail was lacking in the product descriptions and even the instructions that came with the product).
The large ring you see on the front of the product allows you to initiate fast forward / skip forward and rewind / skip back. Pressing the right side of the ring starts fast forward (FF). As you press and hold FF, nothing happens for 1 second, then the unit beeps twice quickly and silently begins advancing through the currently playing recording. Holding down one second beyond the two beeps advances about 15 seconds, two seconds beyond the two beeps 45 seconds, three seconds beyond the two beeps, 90 seconds. Each additional second beyond the third second advances about 50 seconds through the recording. So if you pressed for 9 seconds past the two beeps (for a total of 10 seconds), you would advance 6.5 minutes.
Instead of skipping forward, this unit also has the ability to playback at 150% speed, but that doesn't get you very far if you really want to advance ahead.
Another fact not described in the literature is whether the unit picks up in the middle of a "track". The news is good here: if you stop in the middle of a track, and "power off" (actually called "hold" from some strange reason), then "power on", you will start at the point you left off (not at the beginning of the track).
This unit and associated PC software allow for only the movement of files from the recorder into the PC (not from the PC into the recorder). So although the FF function would allow it, the unit is NOT good for someone who wants to listen to podcasts (and skip commercials). To get that function, choose another model that allows MP3 play.
Da bomb, baby!.......2007-12-25
I know, I know, I've been away for a while but I'm back y'all. Emko-style!
The people giving this low reviews are biznatches, this recorder is fantastic. What more could you want from something that is meant to record voice??? I mean, really? You can download easily to your computer and burn to cd, voice quality is amazing at HQ setting and has a really long recording time. It does what it's supposed to do! If you're thinking about buying it, don't hesitate, it's da bomb baby. Emko out.
Great recorder...........2007-12-24
I purchased this recorder for a class and for small classrooms it works great. Make sure the volume is turned all the way up and you'll be fine. I picked up from Circuit City for $49 to avoid shipping costs, and the store honored the price even though it was listed for $10 bucks more. Great buy.
An excellent value.......2007-12-21
The Olympus VN-4100PC is an excellent value. It's perfect for tasks such as recording a lecture or meeting, making verbal to-do lists, practicing a speech or presentation, and so on. Some reviewers criticize it because it's not very good at recording music, and the play-back is monaural, and they're right. It's not really designed for professional-style, stereo recording. As is the case with all machines, you have to live within its design limits.
The VN-4100PC has some very nice features that make it an excellent value. It is shirt-picket small and very light weight. The controls are simple and intuitive enough that you can operate it out of the package, without even reading the instructions. (However, the instructions tell you how to perform important setup functions, so you should read them.) In short, it's a nice, small, light personal audio recorder.
The built-in microphone is actually pretty good, but if you leave the recorder in your pocket while you're recording, you'll get quite a bit of ambient noise. The same can happen if you prop it on a book. There are two ways to work around this limitation, which is inherent to all similar recorders. Either put the machine on something soft on the desk, such as a coat, or buy an external microphone. The external microphone is probably the best way to go; you'll get far superior electronics, and it's easy to clip or place the mic so you can avoid the ambient noise.
This certainly isn't a high-end, professional-grade recorder. It wasn't designed to be one. Rather, it's a convenient, low-cost personal recorder that does exactly what it's supposed to do. It's an excellent value for the money. I'm very happy I bought it, and I'd do it again.
Compact and easy to use........2007-12-20
This recorder is very small, compact and easy to use. I use it paired with a Sony ECM-DS70P Electret Condenser Microphone for podcasting. For audio interviews with this recorder the audio is edited with Adobe Audition. A podcast literally can be recorded offsite, and edited and online within 15 minutes with this setup. Highly recommend this recorder as price, weight, and convienience is excellent.
Product Description
Take it here, there and anywhere. The compact brushed silver WS-300M is equipped with 256MB of internal memory for up to 68 hours of recording time and stores up to 120 music tracks. Users can enjoy a great sense of freedom, not being bound by cables, docking station or special software, simply plug directly into any PC and you are ready to upload and download your files as you choose.
Amazon.com Product Description
Slim, attractive, and highly functional, the Olympus WS-300M digital voice recorder packs 256 MB of internal flash memory into its lightweight housing, letting you record up to 68 hours of high-quality audio in WMA format. It's ideal for recording notes or long lectures, interviewing sources for an upcoming story, or capturing spur-of-the-moment song ideas before they disappear into the air. As an added bonus, the WS-300M can store up to 66 WMA or MP3 songs for high-quality stereo playback, letting you listen to your favorite tunes between (or during) classes or while waiting in line at the DMV. All this in a tiny body that measures 1.5 inches wide by 3.73 inches tall--roughly the size of a pack of gum.
The WS-300M features five separate file folders capable of holding 199 files each, so you can organize nearly 1,000 files by subject, theme, or other categories. Users also have the choice of four recording modes: HQ, which minimizes background noise and is great for recording people with low speaking voices; LP and SP modes that offer extended recording times; and the unique Stereo HQ mode, which makes two-channel recordings. And thanks to the voice activation option, users don't need to press a single button to start recording. The WS-300M will instead record as soon as the built-in microphone picks up sound.
Perhaps the most convenient feature, however, is the built-in USB connector. To attach the WS-300M to a PC, all you need to do is remove one end of the recorder's body, which reveals a male USB plug. This USB Direct design eliminates the need for a USB cable (the male plug connects directly to your computer), making the device even more portable. Once connected, you can download music files, images, or documents, in effect turning the recorder into a small hard drive, or you can transfer voice recordings to your computer for storage or multimedia use.
The unit also offers built-in WOW sound enhancement to produce rich, three-dimensional audio with a nice bass component. Additional audio improvements include a user-selectable equalizer that lets you tailor the sound to your taste or environment, along with Olympus's innovative noise-canceling technology, which makes the audio even clearer by removing unwanted hiss and background noise. You can even adjust the built-in stereo microphone's recording level to meet your needs.
Every bit as important are the playback functions, which include fast (50 percent) and slow (25 percent) playback, random play, and repeat play. And should you need to identify and quickly retrieve important sound bites, all you need to do is insert an index mark and refer to it later. Additional features include a locking function, which keeps important data from being erased; an easy-to-read, backlit, full-dot LCD; and a pair of stereo headphones.
What's in the Box
WS-300M digital voice recorder, stereo earphone, one AAA battery, USB cable, user's manual.
Customer Reviews:
Great little voice recorder!.......2007-12-21
So far, this little Olympus is great. The audio quality is nice and in stereo. Its USB connectivity is easy and makes transfers a breeze.
Not good enough.......2007-12-20
There's lots to love about this digital recorder. It is easy to use and transferring files from the recorder to the computer is simple. It records in WMA format which can be read by a number of software programs for playback.
But I bought it because I was doing serious interviewing and now I am looking for another recorder. There are two fatal flaws from my perspective. The first is battery life. The manual promises 17 hours of recording time on HQ; I am finding that I am getting closer to two hours. (It may give more with a fresh battery; the problem may be that it registers as "full" with only two hours of juice left.) But the second and most deadly problem is that there is no audible alarm when the battery gets low. Just somewhere in the middle of the interview it took weeks to get the battery quietly gives out. This results in a loss of interview info or at best, it makes you keep checking the recorder nervously while the other person is speaking, something you really don't want to have to do.
Good stuff.......2007-12-19
This recorder is really good. I bought this one after reading lots of positive reviews of the product, and after one of my colleagues recommended the same model. My only complaint is that it runs on one AAA battery, which can wear out after a while, and that there's no A/C power source for it. Although a cord would obviously make it bulky, it would also obviate the need for batteries if it's being used in a stationary place where it can be plugged in. Otherwise, this is a great item and I'd recommend it to anyone who does any dictations or recordings.
Very professional sound! great service from amazon.......2007-12-18
I ordered my first Olympus WS-300M DVR in October 07 and it arrived in 3 days. I recorded a few consultations and then, I am not sure if it was my fault or the DVR, but it fizzled out after a few tries (less than 30 days). I called Olympus and found that I could send it directly to them but it wouldn't be repaired for a month or so. Then I emailed Amazon and talked with a LIVE person and explained my problem--less than 30 days use etc. and they promptly SENT ME A BRAND NEW RECORDER! All I had to do was box it up w/ all the cords and manual that it came with. (I didn't have the indestructible plastic it came with, so I bubble-wrapped it.)
I couldn't be more pleased with this DVR, the sound is so-o-o-o good and the service of talking to a LIVE person and getting the new DVR in 3 days made me a believer! I even demo the sound to my new clients--they love it.
Good, but I would look for something better........2007-12-15
This tape recorder has been pretty functional for me though there are a few things that I really dislike.
-I keep it in a side pocket in my purse and sometimes the hold button is accidently pushed to the on position and then the battery wears out. I put a piece of scotch tape over it it prevent that but it is a pain.
-I also put a piece of scotch tape over the battery compartment so that the battery doesn't fall out as well.
-I would like a recorder with buttons that are larger so that I can push without having to look really close to make sure I am pressing the right one.
-It does not play back very loud so you need a quiet room. I suppose it is good with the earphones though I haven't done that yet.
What I DO like is that with DSS Player-Lite2 for Mac (downloaded from google) it is very easy to trasfer recordings to the computer. The playback on the computer is good.
Product Description
A cool white finish surrounds this compact, take-anywhere voice recorder with 36 hours of continuous recording time and a large LCD that displays recording status, battery life and more. File management and other options is an cinch with the easy-to-use menu. Features like Voice Activation and Timer Recording give you the flexibility to just sit back and relax. Enjoy a staggering 35 hours and 50 minutes of continuous recording time in LP mode with 64MB of internal flash memory. Large LCD for easy viewing of file locations, recording status and battery life Slow and Fast Playback modes let you listen to audio 25 percent slower or 50 percent faster than real time Four folders and each folder stores up to 100 files Easy file management functions allow you to erase single files, multiple files as well as transfer files Voice activation extends recording time by recording only when the microphone senses sound Index marks let you specify a particular point in a recording or playback for easy retrieval Recording Format - CELP+ADPCM Recording Media - Built-in 64MB flash memory Recording Time - 2 hours 50 minutes in XHQ mode 5 hours, 50 minutes in HQ mode 11 hours, 40 minutes in SP mode 35 hours, 50 minutes in LP mode Voice Activation Available & Switchable On/Off Practical Maximum Output 120 mW Speaker 28 mm diameter round dynamic speaker Microphone & Earphone Jack and output Power Supply - 2 AAA batteries Battery Life - Approximately 25 hours System Requirements - Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, XP Professional, Home Edition, CPU Intel Pentium 166MHz or faster 32MB RAM Minimum, Sound Board Creative Labs Sound Blaster 16 or 100% compatible card, Video Card and Display Min. 800 x 600 pixels, min. 256 colors, 2x CD-ROM, USB Port At least 1 free USB port Dimensions - Length 4.0 x Width 1.54 x Depth 0.77 inch Weight - 2.22 ounces (68.0 grams)
Customer Reviews:
Very easy to use. .......2007-12-26
It's very easy to use. You don't even need a user's manual for the basic options. I really like it and the sound is cristal clear even without an added microphone. Just perfect for meetings with a table under 10. Sound would be hard to hear over that size of table. Fits perfectly for my use.
Cheap and effective.......2007-12-26
I don't know much about recorders, but I chose this one because it was much cheaper than other recorders in the same specs range.
I bring this recorder along when I'm reporting for my college newspaper or when I'm taking voice lessons. It has never really disappointed me. One thing I would recommend is never using the lower quality options to record--when you do the voices are still audible but are very irritating to transcribe.
works like a charm.......2007-12-24
This is a great device. It just works like it should. Oodles of recording time. The PC-side program is a little feature-thin (feature-none), but works fine, and fast. The device is robust, easy to use, and has excellent recording quality. What else is there to say?
does a good job.......2007-11-07
It is a good little product but time is limited on it. It picks up speakers well but it is cumbersome to use of you are going to transcribe. The button to move ahead is tricky. It will let you put stuff on a cd but REMEMBER most cds only have 80 minutes. You have to record in a few folders if the speak talks for a long time and make more than one CD. It is nice to have it on your computer. For the price, its a really good product. You could IPOD it too if you want to.
Data won't download to my Macbook Pro as other reviews said.......2007-11-04
I bought this product under the assumption I could download the lectures from school to my computer. This was based on other customer reviews who said it would work. But it doesn't. I know I could boot up my computer with Windows, but I'd have to buy Windows and I refuse to do that. Anyway, Mac users beware - it doesn't work for me and probably won't work for you. My computer won't recognize it. It works fairly well recording lectures but only if the professor stays close to the microphone. I'd say the product works as was designed but is not Mac compatible.
Product Description
Olympus ME-15 is a highly sensitive miniature tie-clip microphone with frequency response from 100 - 12.000 Hz. It is idealsolution to record your own voice or from other people nearby.
Amazon.com Product Description
The Olympus ME-15 Microphone is a small, lightweight tie-clip microphone that can be conveniently clipped to the tie or collar. The microphone can also be fixed under a jacket or shirt for easy concealment. The ME-15 is an ideal accessory for Olympus digital voice recorders. The mic's cord is 3.3-feet long and the entire unit weighs only 11 grams. A tie pin-type clip is also included with the microphone. Note: When using the ME-15 with Olympus Pearlcorder microcassette recorders, you will need the Olympus PA-1 plug adapter (sold separately).
What's in the Box
ME-15 microphone and tiepin-type clip.
Customer Reviews:
Clear sound, nice clip.......2007-12-20
I bought this to replace my headset, since I own a nice set of headphones I'd rather use when audio conferencing (generally Skype through my computer).
The first thing I noticed was the short cord (3 feet long). You'll almost certainly need an extension cord if you aren't using the front/top mic jack on your desktop or a laptop. The clip swivels, which is quite nice, so you can clip it anywhere and still point it at your mouth. I generally clip it to my headphone wires or my shirt.
Volume was a bit of an issue. This is my first time using a clip on microphone, and I had to max the microphone volume on my computer to get adequate sound out of it. This was more of a problem with the Linux version of Skype than the Windows one. The microphone is fairly directional, so talking into it helps.
Audio quality is a big step up over my previous no-name brand headset, and everyone I talk to mentions how much clearer I sound.
Pros:
-Nice clip
-Clear sound
Cons:
-Pricy
-Short wire
-Low volume
Microphone.......2007-12-10
Excellent product to go with any recorder. Greatly improves the quality of the audio, which for me is important as much of the time I use the digital recordings to create a CD.
handy little attachment.......2007-11-30
Inexpensive, very functional. Increases the sound quality of my personal digital voice recorder. Only problem is you get mono sound, which actually tends to work better for many spoken word recordings. Not what you want for music, but lectures recorded in stereo get distracting as the speaker moves from one channel to the next. If you want a good small stereo mike, check out the Olympus ME-51S. It will be about twice the price though.
Works well with digital voice recorder.......2007-11-23
Works very well as a simple microphone for a digital voice recorder, I like it.
Not for use with speech recognition software.......2007-10-19
I bought this because it was recommended from the Dragon NaturallySpeaking software page. This was a mistake, the microphone is not compatible with the PC audio input. Do not buy this if you plan to connect it up to a PC.
Product Description
Up to 67 hours recording time / 256MB Internal Flash Memory / High-sensitivity Microphone / Voice guidance / DSS Player v7.0 Podcatcher Software This Podcatcher can transfer new content to the recorder simply by connecting it to a computer by registering favorite Podcast programs in DSS Player Stores highly compressed WMA (Windows Media Audio) format voice messages Playback and store WMA and MP3 music files Five voice folders can save up to 200 messages per folder. Music, Podcast, and Audible folder are also available New, brighter high-contrast monochrome LCD panel with backlight Built-in Variable Control Voice Actuator (VCVA) function Timer Recording and Alarm features enable automatic recording and playing at a set time Index mark and temp mark features allow you to quickly find desired locations Noise Cancel Function and Voice Filter Function cut noise and enable clear audio playback Up to 32 hours of continuous operation with two AAA batteries Recording Time - ST XQ mode 4 hours 10 minutes, ST HQ mode 8 hours 30 minutes, HQ mode 17 hours 00 minutes, SP mode 33 hours 30 minutes, LP mode 66 hours 40 minutes Input Level - -70 dBv Practical Maximum Output - 250 mW Microphone Jack - 3.5 mm mini-jack, impedance 680 ohms Earphone Jack - 3.5 mm mini-jack, impedance 8 ohms or more Power Supply Rated Voltage - 3V DC Optional AC Adapter External Power Supply System Requirements - Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, XP Professional, Home Edition, CPU Intel Pentium II class 333 MHz processor or more, RAM 128 MB or more (256MB or more is recommended), Sound Board Creative Labs Sound Blaster 16 or 100% compatible sound card, Video Card and Display 800 x 600 pixels or more, 256 colors or more, Removable Drive 2x or faster, One Free USB Port, Audio Output Speaker or earphone output Dimensions - 4.37 x 1.48 x 0.63 inch (111 x 37.5 x 16 mm)
Amazon.com Product Description
In addition to capturing stereo sound from meetings, interviews, and important lectures, the Olympus DS-30 Digital Voice Recorder allows you to download and create Podcasts for later listening. The DS-30 offers users up to 68 hours of recording time with its 256 MB worth of internal flash memory. For easy organization and storing of files, the player allows users to set up five voice folders, and each folder can save up to 200 messages. Internal files can be easily navigated on the player's high-contrast backlit monochrome LCD panel. Other great features include a built-in variable control voice actuator (VCVA) function, and a timed recording and alarm feature so you can set up automatic recording and playing. Running on two AAA batteries, the player offers up to 30 hours of continuous playback in the following modes: ST XQ mode (4 hour 10 minute capture time), ST HQ mode (8 hour 30 minute capture time), HQ mode (17 hour capture time), SP mode (33 hour 30 minute capture time), and LP mode (66 hour 40 minute capture time). For added user convenience, an optional AC adapter can be used with the recorder. Compatible with Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional operating systems and later, the player measures a pocket-friendly 4.37 x 1.48 x 0.63 inches and weighs in at a scant 2.80 ounces.
What's in the Box
DS-30 digital voice recorder, stereo microphone, USB cables, stereo earphones, DSS Player v.7 software, instruction manual, strap, and two AAA batteries.
Customer Reviews:
Great device, but..........2007-12-23
I just got this and it appears to be a very high quality device. Pickup and playback are both quite good, and it is very easy to use. My only problem with it so far is that there is no apparent way to change file and folder names. There are presets for folder names that you can change to, but none of them work for me. That is going to make it more difficult to use this device as I had hoped to. However, the inability to create custom names for files and folders may not be a problem for some, in which case I think this is a very good product.
Best Digital Recorder Ever!.......2007-12-18
I recently bought the Olympus DS-30 Digital Voice Recorder, and i am happy to say that it is one of the best purchases I have made. The microphone, along with the sensitivity settings that are built in, are able to not only pick up a lecture from the background of the lecture hall, but are able to filter out most background noise as well. The battery seems to las a really long time to, I use this recorder 4 hours a day and have not had to replace the battery yet! Alli in all, a great purchase, i would recommend this product for anyone wanting a quality recorder!
Easy to use, especially with the software.......2007-12-13
I haven't much to say except that I purchased this device specifically for qualitative research. It does exactly what I want it to do: record interviews clearly and easily despite background noise. It was a cinch to use right out of the box, and the software that it came with was also a breeze to install and use. I used the device and software for transcription playback (as slow as 25% of normal speed) and it was great as I was able to type fast enough to keep up with what was being said. Overall I'm very pleased and intend to keep this handy for all future qualitative research I will be doing.
The best in it's class.......2007-12-13
I have tried many different digital voice recorders in the past years. I've had everything from $40.00 Panasonics to $200.00 Sony's and this Olympus beats them all. It's small and light weight. The sound quality is fantastic not only on the PC but on the device itself.
I've done tests with and without the stereo mic installed and the quality is the same. For me, recording in stereo is not necessary.
If I had to complain about anything, and I find that hard to do, I would have to say that I wish I could delete voice files on the fly while listening to them. With the Sony I had I could hit delete while the file was playing and then hit it again to delete. The Olympus requires me to stop the playback before it will delete. Small point I know but that's the worse I found with this super recorder.
One of the nice features I found is that I can load mp3 songs and audio books and listen to them with the included stereo ear buds. Nice feature.
No backing up to correct dictation errors.......2007-12-11
Lots of fancy features that work fine.
But I dictate long professional letters. Of course I occasionally misspeak and need to back up (a few seconds or a couple minutes) to record over my mistake -- otherwise I waste my typist's time, and I have to pay her to type stuff then erase it.
This backup and re-record feature has been standard on $50 tape dictaphones for decades.
The DS-30 can not back up and record over mistakes. You said it, you're stuck with it. I confirmed this with Olympus tech support. They suggested I buy a $450 "professional" model instead.
This is not a machine for dictating professional letters.
Product Description
The Mach Speed Thumb Drive MP3 Player has arrived. This Thumb Drive MP3 Player delivers superior sound in a sleek design for improved mobility and portability. This skip free MP3 player is also a voice recorder and a portable storage drive based on the ever-popular Thumb Drive platform. This little MP3 player also doubles and triples as a USB flash drive and a digital voice recorder. Take it anywhere to listen to music, store data, and take quick voice notes for those hard to remember pieces of information like which part of the mall parking lot you left your car. With its rugged design and crystal clear backlit-LCD display and neck strap you can even enjoy music while jogging at night or just having a quick music boost during your lunch breaks with this carry everywhere device. The USB connection on this MP3 player makes copying music and files on and off the internal built in flash drive as simple as it gets. With easy to install software and full users manual you will be listening to your favorite digital music within minutes of opening the box.
Amazon.com Product Description
The sleek and stylish Machspeed Trio digital audio player provides skip-free playback, thanks to its 1 GB of flash memory. It's also a multitasker, providing an integrated microphone for voice recording (great for short reminders or capturing lectures) and USB mass storage capability (for backing up and transferring files from one PC to another). It features a backlit LED screen for viewing song information, and it has three preset animations (for welcome/goodbye) that you can choose from, as well as English and Simple/Traditional Chinese language display.
This player is compatible with MP3, WMA, ASF, and WAV files, but is not compatible with protected WMA files from online stores or subscription services. The 1 GB memory will store approximately 16 hours of CD-quality MP3 tracks (encoded at 128 kbps) or 32 hours of WMA tracks (at 64 kbps). It features 7 preset equalizer tones--normal , rock, pop, classic, soft, jazz, bass--and a variety of play modes, including repeat one, repeat all, play folder, and random. It connects to PCs via a USB 2.0 connection, and is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. It's powered by a single AAA battery, which provides up to 10 hours of continuous playback. It's backed by a 90-day warranty.
What's in the Box
1 GB Machspeed Trio digital audio player, earbuds, USB cable, printed operating instructions
Customer Reviews:
Not for the Slow.......2007-12-09
Machspeed Trio produces great sound but selecting playmode is a bit cumbersome. Earphones are a bit short for anything active.
Same product, different name........2007-12-03
I bought this same MP3 player, only it was marketed under a different name. It worked awesome for about two months and then started shutting itself off and on continually until the battery dies. When I called tech support they essentially said "tough luck." Mine looks EXACTLY the same but is silver and has the manufacturers name "Kanguru." I wouldn't recommend it and I hope that the Coby 2GB that I'm thinking to buy doesn't do the same thing to me.
easy listening.......2007-10-17
[[ASIN:B000B5SLSM Machspeed Trio 1 GB MP3 Player Voice Recorder Thumb Drive)]
A big improvement over earlier release
I listen to mp3 books. You can stop and start back up exactly where you stopped. Previous models would start back up at beginning of mp3.
Decent, but not durable.......2007-09-14
I was thrilled with this unit when I got it; for the money it is a decent little player packed with features. My joy was short lived, however, as I began to encounter problems:
* It eats AAA batteries like a ravenous wolf. I probably should have looked for some rechargeable batteries for this thing.
* I found that bumping, jostling, or dropping it, even lightly, can cause it to die and require restarting. Really annoying if you're exercising or using it in the car.
* After about two months, I lightly bumped into a metal banister with the device in my pocket. It cracked the glass, making the screen unreadable. Seemed like it should have withstood more than that.
* Another month after that, the jack for the headphones got messed up. I had to hold the headphone plug in it just the right way or the ground terminal would disconnect and the channels would cancel out. This got worse, and happened with any headphones I tried. Eventually the device became unusable because of this.
Like Dad always said: "Buy cheap, buy twice". Should've listened.
Defective MP-3 Player.......2007-08-30
Not only wouldn't my product work, but it discharged the battery so fast the player was almost too hot to hold. I was on a move to Japan so had no time to demand a replacement. I'd like to try a working model to see if it can deliver a satisfactory performance.
Product Description
Ever need to record an important telephone conversation? The TP-7, telephone pickup, makes phone recording two sides of the conversation. Just plug the TP-7 jack into the "MIC" jack of your recorder, and put the earphone side into your ear. When speaking on the telephone, the TP-7 will capture both sides of the conversation for recording by your voice recorder.Includes adapter to convert from monaural 3.5mm mini-plug to stereo 3.5mm mini-plug. Also includes monaural 3.5mm mini-plug to monaural 2.5mm mini-plug adapter.
Amazon.com Product Description
Do you ever need to record an important telephone conversation? The TP-7 telephone pickup, makes phone recording easy and even picks up both sides of the conversation. Just plug the TP-7 jack into the "MIC" jack of your recorder, and put the earphone side into your ear. When in use, the TP-7 will capture both sides of the conversation. For added convenience, the TP-7 works great with land lines and cell phones.
What's in the Box
Microphone, adapter to convert from monaural 3.5 mm mini-plug to stereo 3.5 mm mini-plug, and monaural 3.5 mm mini-plug to monaural 2.5 mm mini-plug adapter.
Customer Reviews:
Very pleased.......2007-12-18
The ear peice worked perfect for my recorder. It came with several fittings for different recorders, was easy to use and performed better than expected.
I would highly endorse the product.
Works Well.......2007-11-28
The device fits in the ear and does a good job of recording both sides of a telephone conversation. It comes with several sizes of pads to fit different sized ears.
Olympus Phone Recording Attachment.......2007-11-17
As a freelance writer, I often have need to record conversations both in person and over the phone. With my Olympus DS 40 and the TP7 Telephone Recording Device, I can easily record a conversation - even on my cell phone. When you are quoting people in print, it is important that you be able to accurately represent what was said. Just as important is the ability to hear inflections in the voice that indicate the interviewees feelings about the topic. The TP-7 makes it happen.
The combination of my Olympus DS 40 and the TP7 attachment has made my job much easier. I no longer have to depend solely on hand written notes of conversations when I write. I would highly recommend adding the TP7 to your recorder.
Works very well!.......2007-11-05
This little device plugs into your ear and records your phone conversation.
Works like a charm!
Simple device. Works great........2007-11-02
I'm a writer, and I spent way too much time trying to find a good solution for recording phone calls -- everything from Skype to Radio Shack gadgets that had to get connected through an analog phone. When I ordered this, I was actually stunned with how simply it works, and how well. I use it with my cell or home phones and it does the job perfectly. It's one of those things that seems so simple, you wonder why no one else came up with this solution sooner. I can't recommend this highly enough.
Product Description
The compact, brushed silver WS-100 is equipped with 64MB of internal memory for up to 27 hours of recording time and features a new direct PC link capability. Take the WS-100 anywhere with its compact design and leave the USB cable behind. Connect the WS-100 directly to a PC for quick and easy downloading of audio files and more. This sleek digital voice recorder is also an all-purpose one as its USB mass storage class capability lets you store documents and images along with audio. Compressed and widely-used WMA (Windows Media Audio) format lets you enjoy your recordings on any standard Windows-based PC. PC link via USB Direct design where recorder actually separates from the battery unit and plugs into the USB port on most PCs for a direct connection. Insert index marks to identify and quick retrieve important sound bites Erase single or entire files Adjustable microphone sensitivity Up to 13 hours of continuous operation via 1 AAA battery for low power consumption Voice Activation Available, Switchable On & Off Recording Media - Built-in 64MB flash memory 3 recording modes - HQ for high quality, LP and SP for extended recording times Recording Time - HQ Mode approximately 4 hour 20 minutes, SP Mode approximately 8 hours 40 minutes, LP Mode approximately 27 hours 20 minutes Sampling Frequency - HQ 44.0kHz, SP 12.0kHz, LP 8.0kHz Overall Frequency Response - HQ 100-12000Hz, SP 100-5000Hz, LP 100-2000Hz Practical Maximum Output - 100 mW Speaker - 16mm diameter round dynamic speaker Power Supply - One AAA battery Battery Life - Approximately 13 hours (using alkaline dry cell battery) System Requirements - Microsoft Windows ME, 2000 Professional, XP Professional, Home Edition, USB Port One free port,Audio Output Earphone output or speakers Dimensions - Length 3.7 x Width 1.57 x Depth 0.59 inch (excluding protrusions) Weight - 1.90 ounces (54 gram) including battery
Amazon.com Product Description
Slim, attractive, and highly functional, the Olympus WS-100 digital voice recorder packs 64 MB of internal flash memory into its lightweight housing, letting you record up to 27 hours of audio in WMA format. It's ideal for recording notes or long lectures, interviewing sources for an upcoming article, or capturing spur-of-the-moment song ideas before they disappear into the recesses of your memory. As an added bonus, the recorder also serves as an all-purpose USB mass storage device, meaning it can store documents and images along with audio. Simply plug it into a digital camera through its USB interface and you can transfer several dozen images (depending on their size) to the flash memory, freeing up space in your camera's memory card. Then, when you return home, you can plug the recorder into a PC and switch the images to your hard drive. All this in a tiny body that measures 1.57 inches wide by 3.7 inches tall--roughly the size of a pack of gum.
File organization is straightforward and intuitive. The WS-100 boasts five separate folders capable of holding 199 files each, so you can organize nearly 1,000 files by subject, theme, or other categories. Users also have the choice of three recording modes: HQ, which minimizes background noise and is great for capturing people with low speaking voices (it offers 4 hours and 20 minutes of recording time); SP mode, which still sounds good but isn't quite as crisp (ensures 8 hours and 40 minutes of time); and LP mode, which is designed to maximize recording (27 hours and 20 minutes). And thanks to the voice activation option, users don't need to press a single button to start recording. The WS-100 will instead record as soon as the built-in microphone picks up sound.
Perhaps the most convenient feature, however, is the built-in USB connector. To transfer information to or from the WS-100 from a PC or Mac, all you need to do is remove one end of the recorder's body, which reveals a male USB plug. This USB Direct design eliminates the need for a USB cable (the male plug connects directly to your computer), making the device even more portable. Once connected, it's easy to download images, documents, and other files.
Every bit as important are the playback functions, which include fast (50 percent) and slow (25 percent) playback. And should you need to identify and quickly retrieve important sound bites, all you need to do is insert an index mark and refer to it later. Additional features include adjustable microphone sensitivity, which lets you adjust the recording level to meet your needs; an easy-to-read LCD display; the ability to erase single or entire files; and a pair of stereo earphones.
The WS-100 runs for approximately 13 hours on a single AAA battery and weighs a mere 1.9 ounces. It's also backed by a one-year warranty on parts and labor.
What's in the Box
WS-100 digital voice recorder, stereo earphones, neck strap, USB cable, one AAA battery, user's manual.
Customer Reviews:
Voice playback not very good.......2007-12-14
For the price of this unit I expected better clarity in the playback mode. It sounds very scratchy. I am disappointed with it.
Awesome for the price & quality shines.......2007-12-11
First, let me say the speaker is not for listening in a crowded room. It's small and why would you want to listen, without earphones, to something this small in loud surroundings? The speaker is fine in a quiet room.
I found the mic to be amazingly sensitive. I use the lo setting. The hi setting picks up everything. I have used it outside in my hand, inside my shirt pocket and indoors in my hand and it is simply great for recording.
I love the usb capability. That makes it so simple to grab the file and pull it onto my Mac. I use "Switch" to make the file an .mp3 file. I then load it into garageband and edit it for my podcast. I am very pleased with it.
I have recorded over an hours worth of audio at the High Quality setting and the battery is still showing full. I love this little guy. I got a refurbished one and it's great. Should have bought this a long time ago.
I will place it on the pulpit and use it to record my sermons and then upload them to our podcast. The quality is THAT good.
Exactly what I wanted.......2007-11-26
This digital recorder was exactly what I wanted because of the long period of taping that it has. Also, the tonal quality is great even for a large room. I took it to church with me yesterday to try it out and it worked perfectly.
Great little recorder.......2007-11-06
I recently bought the Olympus WS-100 to record notes while I was learning a foreign language. While I listen to CD's I wanted an easy way to record new phrases and words to review later.
The WS-100 is working out great. First, the features:
1. The unit records in high quality, standard quality and long play modes. You can get approx. 4, 8 or 27 hours of recording. I have found the standard quality to be the best compromise. While the longer record mode can be usable, the quality really drops here. I can't imagine using that mode for lectures. It's just about usable dictating right into the microphone.
2. The built in speaker is about what you would expect. Not great, but works ok if you recorded in one of the two better modes. It's a little more difficult with the low quality mode though.
3. The built in USB adapter is great. I plug into a Mac running OS X and it mounts just like a flash drive. The files are WMA though so you can't play with iTunes. You will need Windows media player or flip4mac. If you're running Windows, you will have the windows media player so you should be able to play.
4. The unit has a clock which will time stamp the files, however, you can't see the time information on the unit itself for your recordings. I have gotten in the habit of starting a recording with the date/time. Not a big deal, but it would nice if you could display this on the screen since the information is there.
5. You can't moves files between the 5 folders.
6. The quality using headphones is very good. If you use the low quality mode, it makes the recording much more usable than using the built in speaker. Keep in mind, this is not a stereo unit, although Olympus makes them.
7. I'm still on the first AAA battery after a week so I can't comment on battery life, but the reported 13 hours seems reasonable. Buy a couple NiMH batteries and you should be good.
8. There is no alarm features like some units have. I don't think I would ever use this but it's not an option.
9. The unit is very slim and easy to use. I have fairly large hands but I don't have a problem with the little buttons. I like the record button right on top. It's easy to grab and hit record even if you are in the car since you don't have to take your eyes off the road. You can then hit it again to pause or start the recording so the unit does not distract you.
Overall, a very nice recorder. I actually bought a refurb unit for about $20 less and it works great.
Never forget another conversation.......2007-10-30
This easy to use recorder is fantastic if you're like me and wish you could replay a conversation.Sound quality is pretty good,at least through headphones-the built-in speaker is useless.Great if you have a PC-you can burn your recording to a CD(I don't know about Macs-maybe Windows for MAC would allow you to do the same).Takes so little energy,I've recorded half a dozen hour-long sessions and the battery indicator still shows full.Nice little piece of equipment!
Product Description
Up to 134 hours recording time / 512MB Internal Flash Memory / High-sensitivity Microphone / Voice guidance / DSS Player v7.0 Podcatcher Software This Podcatcher can transfer new content to the recorder simply by connecting it to a computer by registering favorite Podcast programs in DSS Player Stores highly compressed WMA (Windows Media Audio) format voice messages Playback and store WMA and MP3 music files Five voice folders can save up to 200 messages per folder. Music, Podcast, and Audible folder are also available New, brighter high-contrast monochrome LCD panel with backlight Built-in Variable Control Voice Actuator (VCVA) function Timer Recording and Alarm features enable automatic recording and playing at a set time Index mark and temp mark features allow you to quickly find desired locations Noise Cancel Function and Voice Filter Function cut noise and enable clear audio playback Up to 32 hours of continuous operation with two AAA batteries Recording Time - ST XQ mode 8 hours 40 minutes, ST HQ mode 17 hours 20 minutes, HQ mode 34 hours 45 minutes, SP mode 68 hours 30 minutes, LP mode 136 hours 15 minutes Input Level - -70 dBv Practical Maximum Output - 250 mW Microphone Jack - 3.5 mm mini-jack, impedance 680 ohms Earphone Jack - 3.5 mm mini-jack, impedance 8 ohms or more Power Supply Rated Voltage - 3V DC Optional AC Adapter External Power Supply System Requirements - Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, XP Professional, Home Edition, CPU Intel Pentium II class 333 MHz processor or more, RAM 128 MB or more (256MB or more is recommended), Sound Board Creative Labs Sound Blaster 16 or 100% compatible sound card, Video Card and Display 800 x 600 pixels or more, 256 colors or more, Removable Drive 2x or faster, One Free USB Port, Audio Output Speaker or earphone output Dimensions - 4.37 x 1.48 x 0.63 inch (111 x 37.5 x 16 mm)
Amazon.com Product Description
In additio
Digital Voice Recorders
|
Portable Audio & Video
|
Audio & Video
|
Categories
|
Electronics
Sandisk 4GB Secure Digital SD HC Memory Card (SDSDB-4096, BULK, No Reader)
Sandisk 4GB Secure Digital SD HC Memory Card(SDSDB-4096, bulk) & BlueProton USB 2.0 Card Reader Writer (Blue)
AUDIO TECHNICA ATR-35S Lavalier Microphone
SanDisk 2GB SD Memory Card 2 GB (SDSDB-2048, Bulk Package)
Zoom H4 Handy Recorder
Dazzle DM25800 CameraMate Hi-Speed 10-in-1 Reader/Writer
Philips HL150 Lightweight Stereo Headphones
SanDisk 2 GB SDSDX3-2048-901 Extreme III SD Memory Card (Retail Package)
