Olympus 141985 RECORDER, VN-5000 DIGITAL VOICE, 300 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I thought I wanted a voice recorder a long time ago, while a student but I never actually bought one. If I remember correctly, I was deterred, back then, by the apparent mechanical complexity of the device, its using non-standard recording media - mini cassettes - the need to feed it batteries and its overall lack of versatility. I believe they used to be expensive too.

This is my first and voice recorder and it seems to address most of my issues back then. The Olympus VN-5000 DVR's notable features include:

- no moving parts other than the several buttons
- small
- long battery life
- no physical recording media needed other than its own physical memory
- moderately easy to learn controls
- 3 level of recording quality and, depending in the quality selected
- 20, 50 or 300 hours of recording time, depending on the selected recording quality
- voice activated recording
- variable playback speed
- date/time stamps on files
- some rudimentary file management (4 preset folders, files can be moved between folders)
- etc., etc.

Its main weakness is its not allowing for easy transfer of records files - see note at the bottom on how to do it 'the hard way'.

Overall, this model is a trade off between low price/simplicity and features/flexibility in favor of low price and simplicity. Being my fist DVR, I happen to like it this way but the more sophisticated or the more demanding users may not not appreciate its awkward file management and the fact that, at least in theory, it's impossible to get the files out of the device, into some other form of storage (but it can be done - see note below).

I am very pleased with this device. Between 4 and 5 stars, I decided on 4 because this inexpensive, 'entry level' gadget, while making recording easy, is not as good at managing and retrieving the information once recorded, especially when one stores many files.

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Note:

If you want to transfer your files to a computer, it can be done but it can be a time-consuming process. To do so, you need to

- Install Audacity on your machine (it's a free download).
- Plug a microphone cable into your DVR's headphone slot and the other end into your computer's microphone interface - all computers should have these wires and you can use either the 'green' or the 'pink' one.
- Set Audacity on 'record' and you simply 'play' your file.
- Test for the proper volume setting before recording a long file.
- Save your recording as a WAV or MP3 file.

It's going to take as long as it took you to make the recording but, once it's done you have a file that you can do with as you please.

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Product Description:
Features: * Slow and Fast Playback modes let you listen to audio 25 percent slower or 50 percent faster than real time. * Easy file management functions allow you to erase single files, multiple files as well as transfer files. * Large LCD for easy, quick viewing of file locations, recording status and battery life. * Certified as an Olympus Eco-product, this voice recorder has a reduced environmental footprint across its entire product lifecycle, which encompasses not only the product and its packaging, but also the manufacturing and logistical processes in bringing the product to the marketplace. * Record up to 300 hours and 30 minutes of uninterrupted audio in LP mode. * Contains four folders and each folder stores up to 100 files. * Select from three recording modes to meet your specific needs: HQ for high-quality; SP and LP for extended recording. * 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. * Use the timer recording option to set a start and end time for a particular recording. * Playback a pre-selected file at a specific time for reminders or wake-up calls.

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