Olympus Digital Voice Recorder 2GB

by Olympus

Product Features

• 2GB memory 1 208 hours recording time
• Slow and fast playback modes
• 4 folders each hold 100 files
• Index marks for easy file management
• Includes 2 AAA batteries and soft case

Product Description

Powerful memory in an easy-to-use device Whether you want to record daily reminders or meetings at work, the Olympus 2GB Digital Voice Recorder gives you the power to record with minimal effort. This sleek recorder offers up to 1,208 hours of continuous recording time and intuitive thumb pad controls that make it easy to record, index and manage your files. Includes 2 AAA batteries and a soft case. 1-Yr Manufacturer's Warranty. MAIN FEATURES: - Recording Hours. Supports more than 1,200 hours of continuous recording time with 2GB of internal memory. - Variable Control Voice Actuator. Voice activation extends recording time and saves battery life by recording only when the microphone senses sound. - Long Battery Life. Records for up to 39 hours before you have to replace or recharge batteries. - Index Marks. Allows you to electronically mark where each file begins so you can easily find, erase and transfer files. - Fast and Slow Playback. Slow and Fast Playback modes let you listen to audio 25 percent slower or 50 percent faster than real time. - Large LCD. Large LCD for easy, quick viewing of file locations, recording status and battery life. - 2 Playback Modes. Slow and Fast Playback modes let you listen to audio 25 percent slower or 50 percent faster than real time. - 3 Recording Modes. Select from three recording modes to meet your specific needs: HQ for high quality; SP and LP for extended recording. - Timer Recording. Use the timer recording option to set a st...

Product Details

• ASIN: B000YL9CLI
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #272,946 in Health & Personal Care (See Top 100 in Health & Personal Care)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Simple but effective 'first' DVR, April 19, 2009

By 

A. Dent "Aragorn" (Minas Anor, GD) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Olympus Digital Voice Recorder 2GB

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.